ֱ

Saudi initiative promotes Arabic in Azerbaijan

Experts from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Georgia will discuss challenges and opportunities in Arabic teaching. (SPA)
1 / 3
Experts from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Georgia will discuss challenges and opportunities in Arabic teaching. (SPA)
Saudi initiative promotes Arabic in Azerbaijan
2 / 3
Abdullah Al-Washmi, the academy secretary-general. (SPA)
Saudi initiative promotes Arabic in Azerbaijan
3 / 3
Saudi Ambassador to Azerbaijan Essam Al-Jutaili. (SPA)
Short Url
Updated 10 sec ago

Saudi initiative promotes Arabic in Azerbaijan

Saudi initiative promotes Arabic in Azerbaijan
  • Part of the academy’s global initiative, the program supports Arabic for non-native speakers, boosts its international presence, and strengthens academic cooperation

RIYADH: The King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language launched its Arabic Language Month program in Baku, Azerbaijan, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.

Part of the academy’s global initiative, the program supports Arabic for non-native speakers, boosts its international presence, and strengthens academic cooperation.

The launch featured speeches by the academy’s secretary-general, Abdullah Al-Washmi, and Saudi Ambassador to Azerbaijan Essam Al-Jutaili, highlighting cultural ties and the program’s role in promoting Arabic under Vision 2030.

Aimed at teachers, students, and language enthusiasts, the program includes competitions, training courses, and a scientific symposium on Arabic education in Central Asia.

Experts from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Georgia will discuss challenges and opportunities in Arabic teaching.

The event is part of the academy’s series held in countries such as Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, India, China, Uzbekistan, France, Spain and Brazil.


AI boot camp to develop national talent

AI boot camp to develop national talent
Updated 5 sec ago

AI boot camp to develop national talent

AI boot camp to develop national talent
  • The boot camp aims to build on ongoing efforts to develop national talent and provide future-ready tools in support of the Saudi Vision 2030 plan for national development and diversification

RIYADH: A “Building AI Agents” boot camp, run by the Saudi Data and AI Authority in partnership with American AI hardware company Groq, aims to empower participants in the use of the technology through a hands-on experience culminating in an applied project.

Organizers said the event will combine real-time reasoning and smart-monitoring systems, as participants design voice- and text-based AI agents and create high-performance AI applications using Groq’s advanced architecture.

The SDAIA said the event is part of its efforts to enhance national AI capabilities and promote the adoption of advanced technology, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.

The boot camp aims to build on ongoing efforts to develop national talent and provide future-ready tools in support of the Saudi Vision 2030 plan for national development and diversification, it added, and help reinforce the Kingdom’s position as a global data and AI hub.

The boot camp, which features three in-person training days, begins on Sept. 7. Register at sdaia.gov.sa by Aug. 19.

 


ֱ, South Korea sign MoU to boost audit expertise

ֱ, South Korea sign MoU to boost audit expertise
Updated 16 sec ago

ֱ, South Korea sign MoU to boost audit expertise

ֱ, South Korea sign MoU to boost audit expertise
  • Choe emphasized that the MoU will enhance joint work, boost performance efficiency, and improve auditing quality

RIYADH: ֱ’s General Court of Audit and South Korea’s Board of Audit and Inspection signed a memorandum of understanding in Seoul on Monday to strengthen cooperation in accounting, auditing, and professional practices.

The agreement was signed by Hussam Alangari, president of the GCA, and BAI chair Choe Jae-hae, with Saudi Ambassador to South Korea Sami Alsadhan in attendance.

The MoU aims to exchange expertise, build professional capacities, and develop manuals for financial, compliance, and performance auditing. Joint workshops and training programs will support these goals.

Alangari said the agreement reflects GCA’s regional and international standing and its role in sharing expertise with member institutions.

Choe emphasized that the MoU will enhance joint work, boost performance efficiency, and improve auditing quality.

 


Diplomats have ‘fascinating’ visit to International Falcon Breeders Auction

Diplomats have ‘fascinating’ visit to International Falcon Breeders Auction
Updated 18 August 2025

Diplomats have ‘fascinating’ visit to International Falcon Breeders Auction

Diplomats have ‘fascinating’ visit to International Falcon Breeders Auction
  • New Zealand envoy describes event as ‘wonderful showcase’ of heritage, culture
  • Norwegian official enjoys ‘truly memorable’ day

RIYADH: Foreign envoys to ֱ were full of praise for the Kingdom’s commitment to preserving its cultural heritage on a recent visit to the International Falcon Breeders Auction 2025 in Malham.

Organized by the Saudi Falcons Club, the event brings together breeding farms from around the world and is indicative of the country’s status as the homeland of falcons and falconry.

New Zealand Ambassador Charles Kingston, Norway’s Charge d’Affaires Monika Thowsen, interim US Charge d’Affaires Alison Dilworth and El Salvador’s Ambassador Ricardo Ernesto Cucalon visited the event on Friday.

Speaking to Arab News on Monday, Kingston described the visit as “fun and fascinating.”

“Beautiful falcons on display and a wonderful showcase of the Kingdom’s rich heritage and culture,” he said.

Thowsen said: “Experiencing the International Falcon Breeders Auction and exhibition at Malham for the first time was truly memorable.

“We were struck not only by the beauty and grace of the falcons but also by the vibrant diversity of the event. Breeders and guests — men and women, young and old, Saudis and internationals — came together in a shared appreciation of this remarkable tradition.

“We were received by a knowledgeable guide who introduced us to breeders from around the world and shared insights into the history and techniques of falconry. There was no auction the day we visited but the visit gave us a deeper understanding of this UNESCO-recognized heritage and how it in later years has become a symbol of nature conservation, cultural heritage and connection across communities.”

The diplomats and their families were accompanied by Saudi Falcons Club Deputy CEO Ahmed Al-Habbabi.

During the tour they were able to get up close and personal with many of the birds and learned about how they are cared for and bred. They were also given presentations on the “Falconer of the Future” program and the history of falconry in ֱ.

The visit concluded with the ambassadors posing for commemorative photos with the falcons.

The annual auction provides a platform for falconers to learn about the latest breeding and hybridization techniques and share knowledge with fellow experts from around the world.

A total of 866 birds were sold at last year’s auction for a combined SR10 million ($2.7 million). Individual birds can fetch as much as SR375,000.

The event is open daily from 4-11 p.m. through Aug. 25.

The proceedings are broadcast live on TV and via the official digital platforms of the Saudi Falcons Club.


Tuwaiq Academy introduces 200 new training camps and programs

Tuwaiq Academy introduces 200 new training camps and programs
Updated 18 August 2025

Tuwaiq Academy introduces 200 new training camps and programs

Tuwaiq Academy introduces 200 new training camps and programs

JEDDAH: Riyadh-based technology institution Tuwaiq Academy has introduced more than 200 new training camps and programs in 10 different fields, the Saudi Press Agency announced on Monday.

The new programs are offered both in-person in Riyadh and remotely, with professional certifications created in partnership with global organizations.

Outstanding participants will also have access to employment opportunities upon completion.

The academy’s programs are open to a wide range of participants, including university students and graduates, employees and school students.

Camps and courses cover key areas such as programming, cybersecurity, data science, artificial intelligence, cloud computing, user experience, virtual worlds, mechatronics engineering, game development, drones and other modern technologies.

CEO Abdulaziz Al-Hammadi said the academy collaborates with more than 60 leading global technology partners, including Meta, Google, Nvidia, Amazon and Huawei to deliver training camps, many of which are being offered for the first time in the region.

“These programs provide a learning experience tailored to the needs of the labor market, with accredited professional certifications that strengthen and empower national capabilities, while contributing to the objectives of the Human Capability Development Program under Saudi Vision 2030,” he added.

All programs are available for free registration through the academy’s official website: https://tuwaiq.edu.sa/

Since its establishment, Tuwaiq Academy has graduated more than 35,000 students, with more than 80 percent of its bootcamp graduates securing employment within six months through the Tuwaiq Employment Program.

In addition to its training camps and professional programs, the academy organizes regular competitions, activities and an employment league used to place its graduates in advanced technology roles in different industries.


Syrian business delegation due in Riyadh

Syrian business delegation due in Riyadh
Updated 18 August 2025

Syrian business delegation due in Riyadh

Syrian business delegation due in Riyadh
  • The visit follows up on the Syrian-Saudi Investment Forum held last month in Damascus

RIYADH: A Syrian delegation of private sector representatives and government officials are due in Riyadh on Monday as ֱ further strengthens its commitment to re-engage with the conflict-ravaged country and support its reconstruction efforts.

The delegation will be led by Mohammad Nidal Al-Shaar, Syria’s Minister of Economy and Industry, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The visit follows up on the Syrian-Saudi Investment Forum held last month in Damascus, with more than 100 Saudi companies and 20 government entities joining the event, that yielded $6.4 billion worth of investment deals.

The 47 investment pledges ranged from real estate, infrastructure, finance, telecommunications and information technology, energy, industry, tourism, trade and health.

Among these include $1.07 billion worth of pledges from Saudi telecommunications companies including Saudi Telecom Co., GO Telecom, digital security firm Elm and cybersecurity company Cipher; while the $2.93 billion investment deals included the construction of three new cement plants to support Syria’s reconstruction efforts.