From crocodiles to kangaroos — Riyadh Zoo thrills visitors

From crocodiles to kangaroos — Riyadh Zoo thrills visitors
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The zoo offers an exceptional experience for wildlife enthusiasts (SPA)
From crocodiles to kangaroos — Riyadh Zoo thrills visitors
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A farm area has been enhanced to provide interactive activities that promote an understanding of biodiversity and the importance of preserving nature. (SPA)
From crocodiles to kangaroos — Riyadh Zoo thrills visitors
3 / 4
The zoo offers an exceptional experience for wildlife enthusiasts (SPA)
From crocodiles to kangaroos — Riyadh Zoo thrills visitors
4 / 4
The zoo offers an exceptional experience for wildlife enthusiasts (SPA)
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Updated 03 November 2024
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From crocodiles to kangaroos — Riyadh Zoo thrills visitors

From crocodiles to kangaroos — Riyadh Zoo thrills visitors

RIYADH: Riyadh Zoo has added a bird show to its already extensive lineup as part of Riyadh Season 2024, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The zoo offers an exceptional experience for wildlife enthusiasts, as well as giving visitors of all ages an opportunity to learn about animal life, environmental care, and conservation awareness.

A farm area has been enhanced to provide interactive activities that promote an understanding of biodiversity and the importance of preserving nature.

One of the highlights is the Croc Cave, where visitors can safely observe crocodiles up close.

At Kangaroo Arena, visitors can enjoy a rare encounter with the Australian marsupials and capture memorable photos.

To enrich the educational experience, the new farm area provides hands-on activities that educate visitors on nature and wildlife conservation.

The zoo is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., giving visitors ample time to enjoy its diverse facilities, which span 161,000 square meters and house over 1,400 animals of various species.

A variety of outlets and mobile food trucks offer a wide range of food and beverages, as well as family-friendly seating areas for comfort.

In a move aimed at enhancing inclusivity, Riyadh Season offers free entry to senior citizens aged 60 and older for its entertainment areas.

The initiative was announced by Turki Al-Sheikh, chairman of the General Entertainment Authority, as part of efforts to make the season more accessible to all.

Seniors can enter select areas by showing their Tawakkalna application at designated gates.

The areas included in the offer are Boulevard World, Boulevard Runway, and Wonder Garden, along with the standard free-entry areas such as Riyadh Zoo, Al-Suwaidi Park, and Souq Al-Awaleen. They will also have access to Boulevard City and VIA Riyadh without the need for prior tickets.

However, the offer does not cover events with reserved seating, such as concerts, plays, boxing matches, or special experiences, which require separate ticketing arrangements.

The initiative underscores Riyadh Season’s commitment to ensuring that all segments of society can enjoy its diverse offerings.


KSrelief ambulances boost Gaza’s health sector amid challenges

KSrelief ambulances boost Gaza’s health sector amid challenges
Updated 13 sec ago
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KSrelief ambulances boost Gaza’s health sector amid challenges

KSrelief ambulances boost Gaza’s health sector amid challenges

RIYADH: The health sector in Gaza has been bolstered by 20 fully equipped ambulances from Saudi aid agency KSrelief, reported Saudi Press Agency.

The move comes as the Strip faces humanitarian challenges and repeated targeting of critical infrastructure, including ambulances and other health services.

The vehicles have significantly helped emergency response capabilities in the area, playing a vital role in treating the wounded and transferring them rapidly to medical centers.


KSrelief volunteers aim to combat blindness in Ivory Coast

KSrelief volunteers aim to combat blindness in Ivory Coast
Updated 21 min 59 sec ago
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KSrelief volunteers aim to combat blindness in Ivory Coast

KSrelief volunteers aim to combat blindness in Ivory Coast

RIYADH: Saudi aid agency KSrelief’s Noor Saudi volunteer project to combat blindness and its causes was implemented in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, last month.

During the campaign, which ran for a week, KSrelief's volunteer medical team examined 4,000 cases, performed 406 specialized eye surgeries, and distributed 1,154 pairs of eyeglasses.

The initiative is one of the humanitarian and relief projects carried out by the aid agency to support the medical sector and assist low-income patients suffering from eye diseases in various countries.


‘Simsimiyya’: Saudi, Egyptian musical instrument joins UNESCO’s intangible heritage list

‘Simsimiyya’: Saudi, Egyptian musical instrument joins UNESCO’s intangible heritage list
Updated 05 December 2024
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‘Simsimiyya’: Saudi, Egyptian musical instrument joins UNESCO’s intangible heritage list

‘Simsimiyya’: Saudi, Egyptian musical instrument joins UNESCO’s intangible heritage list
  • Saudi Arabia supported an Egyptian request to inscribe the Simsimiyya on UNESCO’s list 

RIYADH: Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan, Saudi minister of culture and chairman of the Heritage Preservation Society, has announced the success of including the Simsimiyya musical instrument in UNESCO’s intangible cultural heritage list. 

Saudi Arabia supported on Wednesday an Egyptian request to inscribe the Simsimiyya on UNESCO’s list during the 19th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. 

Simsimiyya is part of Saudi culture in coastal towns, and is used to play traditional music at weddings and festivals alongside songs narrating stories of sailors and social life near the sea, the Saudi Press Agency reported. 

The Simsimiyya, which is made from a wooden box or bowl lyre with strings, is also famous in Egypt. 

It is the latest Saudi cultural element to be added to UNESCO’s intangible heritage list. Other elements were Saudi Khawlani coffee beans, the art of engraving on metals, the Harees dish, Arabic calligraphy, and the palm tree. 

Simsimiyya has passed down through the generations in Saudi Arabia and become part of the Kingdom’s artistic identity and collective memory, and is still played at cultural and social events, SPA reported.


AlUla’s breeding center announces birth of three Arabian leopard cubs

AlUla’s breeding center announces birth of three Arabian leopard cubs
Updated 05 December 2024
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AlUla’s breeding center announces birth of three Arabian leopard cubs

AlUla’s breeding center announces birth of three Arabian leopard cubs
  • Arabian Leopard Breeding Center saw the arrival of one female and two male cubs this summer
  • The mother of the cubs, Ward, is six years old, and their father, Baher, is 13 years old

RIYADH: The Saudi Royal Commission for AlUla announced the birth of a rare litter of three Arabian leopard cubs on Wednesday as part of Saudi Arabia’s effort to protect endangered species. 

The triplets, two males and one female, were born at RCU’s Arabian Leopard Breeding Center this summer, which is sponsored by the Arabian Leopard Fund. 

This is the third documented birth of the Arabian leopard in 30 years, and the first in Saudi captivity, the Saudi Press Agency reported. 

The RCU’s breeding center has been at the forefront of preserving this critically endangered species of big cats. 

One of the center’s missions is to protect and safeguard 30 percent of land and sea habitats for species as part of the Saudi Green Initiative.  

The mother of the Arabian leopard triplets, Ward, is six years old, and their father, Baher, is 13.

Baher was brought to RCU’s center in December 2023 as part of a regional exchange program to enhance the genetic diversity of the Arabian leopard breed. 

The triplets were vaccinated and underwent medical examinations to determine their gender, SPA reported. 

Experts at the RCU’s center said that the two males were showing active behaviors through playing and climbing rocks, while the female appeared calmer and attached to the mother. 

The three of them are expected to stay together with their mother for 18 months.  

The RCU’s breeding center is currently sponsoring the care of 32 leopards. 

In 2024, the center saw the birth of five leopards, following seven births in 2023.


Government-backed upskilling program allows trainees to ‘progress at their own pace’

Government-backed upskilling program allows trainees to ‘progress at their own pace’
Updated 04 December 2024
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Government-backed upskilling program allows trainees to ‘progress at their own pace’

Government-backed upskilling program allows trainees to ‘progress at their own pace’
  • MicroX program emphasizes flexibility
  • Supports learners balancing work, personal commitments

RIYADH: A new Saudi government-backed professional upskilling program allows trainees to “progress at their own pace” and tailor their learning for their own individual needs, a program leader told Arab News.

Saudi Arabia’s Human Capability Development Program recently launched MicroX, a learning program with tailored educational paths aimed at being compatible with rapid changes in the labor market.

In collaboration with the National eLearning Center, or NELC, academic institutions, industry leaders and Sector Skills Councils, MicroX aims to launch 350 microprograms in partnership with universities and employers in specialized sectors within four years.

Hajar Salman Binasfour, deputy director general for empowerment at the National eLearning Center, told Arab News that the initiative emphasized “flexibility and accessibility to support learners balancing work or personal commitments.

“Programs are designed to offer customizable educational paths, allowing participants to progress at their own pace and tailor learning to their schedules,” she said.

Programs are offered in eLearning mode, providing a focused process of learning skills or competencies that ends with an assessment and a certificate.

“The digital delivery of micro-programs enables access to materials and classes both synchronously and asynchronously, accommodating various time zones and schedules,” she said. “This format promotes a seamless learning experience, supported by digital certification to validate achievements.”

The development of the program consists of three phases, which begin “by identifying skills required by employers and stakeholders, guided by data from Sector Skills Councils and analyzed by NELC,” Binasfour said.

“This ensures programs are grounded in the current and future skill landscape. The councils’ collaboration ensures educational content aligns with real-world applications, maintaining program relevance,” she said. “NELC oversees feedback collection, refining program documents and identifying development areas.”

Phase two consists of refining program content, and securing recognition from academic institutions and industry leaders while integrating feedback.

Binasfour said that programs are developed in collaboration with universities, academic experts and industry specialists, ensuring that content remains relevant and practical.

The last stage, phase three, involves program launches and continuous evaluation. Outcomes of certificate holders are assessed, and employer feedback on program effectiveness.

“Phase three launches, monitors and evaluates programs for effectiveness, with assessments from employers and stakeholders ensuring skills meet market expectations. This multi-phase approach ensures MicroX programs remain dynamic, relevant, and capable of equipping learners for evolving job markets.”

MicroX has collaborated with more than 200 partners, including international universities and employers, and enhances the curriculum development and delivery of the microprograms.

“This network ensures programs are industry-aligned, globally recognized, and meet high academic and professional standards. International universities contribute diverse perspectives, research expertise, and academic rigor, ensuring curricula are current with global trends and applicable both locally and internationally,” Binasfour said. “Academic partnerships introduce innovative teaching methods and specialized knowledge that improve learning quality.”

Employers provide insights into workplace requirements, tailoring content to reflect real-world applications.

“This involvement results in hands-on learning opportunities such as case studies, internships and projects, preparing students for immediate transitions to the workforce.”

The success of the “MicroX” initiative will be assessed through a “combination of quantitative and qualitative metrics,” Binasfour said.

“Key indicators include the employability rate of program graduates and their transition into the workforce with relevant skills. The rate of job acquisition or career advancement among graduates will be a primary measure.

“Alignment of acquired skills with labor market demands will be evaluated through feedback from Sector Skills Councils and industry partners. These groups ensure training programs match current and projected industry needs by gathering employer input and analyzing trends,” she said.

Other metrics include the number of partnerships with employers and academic institutions, and the recognition of micro-programs across sectors.

“Broader economic impacts, such as GDP growth attributed to a skilled workforce and reduced government spending on subsidies due to improved employability, will also be considered.”

Binasfour said that success in fostering innovation was measured by the number of patents, new technologies, or other advancements from program participants.

“Learner engagement, completion rates, and feedback on training applicability provide additional insights into program quality and impact, ensuring the initiative meets market needs and supports long-term workforce development,” she said.