Distance learning is here to stay, Saudi education minister says
Distance learning is here to stay, Saudi education minister says/node/1766716/saudi-arabia
Distance learning is here to stay, Saudi education minister says
Saudi Minister of Education Dr. Hamad Al-Sheikh speaks at the media briefing on The Education Continuity in Times of Crises at the International Media Center in Riyadh. (Ashar q Al-Awsat)
Distance learning is here to stay, Saudi education minister says
Al-Sheikh said blended education — the combination of online and physical learning — has become the new norm because of COVID-19
Updated 23 November 2020
One Carlos Diaz
DUBAI: The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has pushed the education industry online, with countries scrambling to implement distance learning initiatives.
But as the world moves closer to ending the pandemic, will education go back to its traditional setup? Saudi Minister of Education Hamad Al-Sheikh doesn’t think so.
Speaking at a media briefing on the last day of the Group of Twenty (G20) Summit in Riyadh, Al-Sheikh said blended education — the combination of online and physical learning — has become the new norm because of COVID-19.
“It is going to be the beginning of a new era in education, where blended education is the norm,” the minister said, adding a single method approach was becoming the exception.
“The concept of distance learning as a ‘subproduct’ in the past has changed now because of COVID-19 — the crisis created an opportunity,” he said.
The minister added the changes had also brought to light other issues within the education sector, including the length in which students take to finish programs.
“The 12-year-ladder could be different,” he said, explaining the flexibility of distance learning.
HIGHLIGHT
In Saudi Arabia, schools were shut down as early as March, in a government move to prioritize the health of its citizens. Since then, the Kingdom has thought of ways to continue education at home, which led to an e-learning portal called Madrasati.
The prejudice against online education would disappear, Al-Sheikh added, as the world continues to adapt new learning strategies.
He said this “new normal” had also seen a shift in emphasis on learning outcomes, as opposed to giving too much attention to the method.
But Al-Sheikh recognized the challenges of managing distance learning programs, which he said needed “good governance in order to work.”
He explained different countries had different resources, which was a challenge, particularly at the onset of the pandemic.
In Saudi Arabia, schools were shut down as early as March, in a government move to prioritize the health of its citizens. Since then, the Kingdom has thought of ways to continue education at home, which led to an e-learning portal called Madrasati.
The free platform, which launched in August, facilitates students’ evaluation and communication between teachers and students as well as their parents.
Al-Sheikh lauded the G20 education working group for its agile response to the pandemic.
Saudi crown prince meets Iranian foreign minister amid regional diplomacy push
Leaders discuss ties and regional stability
Prince Mohammed urges dialogue and diplomacy as means of resolving disputes
Updated 08 July 2025
Arab News
JEDDAH: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and his delegation at Al-Salam Palace in Jeddah on Tuesday, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Their meeting came as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen ties between the two countries and navigate a turbulent regional landscape.
During the meeting, Prince Mohammed and Araghchi reviewed the state of Saudi-Iranian relations and exchanged views on recent developments across the region.
The crown prince underscored the Kingdom’s hope that the current ceasefire agreement between Iran and Israel would help lay the groundwork for enhanced regional security and stability.
Reaffirming Saudi Arabia’s longstanding support for diplomatic solutions, the crown prince stressed the importance of dialogue in resolving regional disputes and reducing tensions.
For his part, Araghchi expressed gratitude for the Kingdom’s stance in condemning Israeli aggression, and praised Prince Mohammed’s personal commitment to promoting peace and stability in the Middle East.
The meeting was attended by several senior Saudi officials, including Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, and National Security Advisor Musaed bin Mohammed Al-Aiban.
Cabinet commends HRC adoption of resolution to protect children in cyberspace
Crown prince briefed the Cabinet on the contents of his discussions with Indonesian president and phone call he received from German Chancellor Friedrich Merz
Updated 08 July 2025
Arab News
RIYADH: The Cabinet commended on Tuesday the Human Rights Council’s unanimous adoption of a resolution submitted by the Kingdom to protect children in cyberspace.
The resolution, submitted by Saudi Arabia, aims to protect children in cyberspace and is rooted in the global initiative “Child Protection in Cyberspace” launched by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in October 2024.
The Cabinet said that Saudi Arabia maintaining its position as the top-ranked country in global cybersecurity according to this year’s edition of the International Institute for Management Development World Competitiveness Yearbook adds to a series of achievements made by this sector in record time.
Saudi Minister of State and Cabinet member Issam bin Saad bin Saeed said the Kingdom’s first-place ranking globally in the ICT Development Index 2025 issued by the International Telecommunication Union is a confirmation of the strength of the its digital infrastructure.
It was also testament to the attractiveness of its investment environment and the development of the local digital economy, which has reached SR 495 billion ($132 billion) in size, he added.
The Cabinet also discussed the Kingdom’s efforts and contributions at the international level to support multilateral action and enhance global economic growth rates, including continued cooperation with OPEC+ producers to maintain stability in oil markets.
The crown prince also briefed the Cabinet on the contents of his discussions with the President of Indonesia Prabowo Subianto and a phone call he received from German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
A Saudi-developed navigation platform signals a deeper shift in how smart cities are designed
Updated 08 July 2025
Nada Hameed
JEDDAH: As cities such as Riyadh and Jeddah grow at an unprecedented pace, they face mounting pressures that come with rapid urban expansion: increased traffic, infrastructure demands, and changing mobility patterns.
These challenges have sparked new conversations — and innovations — to support evolving everyday life.
Among the latest digital tools to emerge is Balady+, a Saudi Arabia-developed navigation app that is gaining traction with more than 1 million downloads on Google Play according to the app’s listing.
As the country continues its digital transformation, mobility solutions such as Balady+ are becoming a part of the conversation on how to make urban environments more efficient, accessible and responsive. (Supplied)
Launched in May, the app offers a locally tailored alternative to global platforms such as Google Maps and Waze to address navigation needs across Saudi cities.
Developed by Balady, a subsidiary of NHC Innovation, the app’s features include real-time traffic updates, indoor navigation in malls and multistory buildings, and alerts for roadworks and speed bumps with accurate spatial and timing information.
FASTFACT
Balady+, a Saudi-developed navigation app, is gaining traction with more than 1 million downloads on Google Play.
A notable moment for the platform came during this year’s Hajj season, when Balady+ collaborated with the Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites to support pilgrims with an interactive mapping system.
Yasser Alobaidan, CEO of Balady+
Over 11,000 key landmarks — including mosque entrances and exits, surrounding streets, hospitals, Red Crescent stations, restrooms, fountains, and more than 160 critical facilities — were updated in real time to ease the flow of people through dense and high-pressure areas.
“Navigation apps aren’t just tools anymore; they’re daily essentials,” said Abdulrahman Al-Babtain, a Riyadh-based commuter who has been using Balady+ for the past two months.
“What makes this app more useful for me is how it reflects the real condition of roads, especially when it comes to closures or construction zones.”
“Navigation apps aren’t just tools anymore; they’re daily essentials,” said Abdulrahman Al-Babtain, a Riyadh-based commuter who has been using Balady+ for the past two months. (SPA)
Built with an artificial intelligence-powered search engine, the app has generated a mix of enthusiasm and thoughtful critique from users on app stores.
Many have praised its realistic 3D mapping, with comments including “extraordinary” and “custom made” to better visualize surroundings.
Some reviews highlight standout features such as the “snap and send” municipal reporting tool, with one user noting that a damaged road was fixed within 12 hours of being reported.
Adel Alzahrani, ROSHN executive director of community development charters
While one review described the app as a “decent alternative to Google Maps,” others note a learning curve for new users and hope for future updates that make the interface more user-friendly and inclusive.
According to Al-Babtain, speed-bump alerts and government data integrations are particularly helpful in avoiding unexpected delays during his daily commute.
“The GPS is smart, but what really matters is having the most current local info — and that’s where Balady+ wins,” he said.
If we design cities for cars, we get traffic. If we design cities for people, we get life.
Adel Alzahrani, ROSHN executive director of community development charters
For Adel Alzahrani, executive director of community development charters at ROSHN, the app is part of a larger conversation about urban design and mobility.
“We’re not just developing real estate — we’re influencing how people move, live, and interact. Mobility behavior starts with design. I often say the cities of the future won’t be shaped by concrete alone — they’ll be sculpted by intelligence, data, and empathy,” he said.
While international apps dominate global markets, Alzahrani — who has used them all — sees Balady+ as an attempt to address local needs through an initiative that is “culturally aware, government-backed, and citizen-focused.”
“If we design cities for cars, we get traffic. If we design cities for people, we get life,” he said.
As Saudi cities are increasingly digitized, apps such as Balady+ represent a broader shift in how people interact with their surroundings, not just as commuters but also data contributors and active participants in shaping smart urban systems.
Yasser Alobaidan, CEO of the app, told Arab News it was built on a combination of local and global technologies.
It was “created through 3D modelling programs for areas like Hajj camps, the Grand Mosque, the Prophet’s Mosque, and key landmarks across cities — and global technologies that convert residential and commercial buildings into 3D visualizations.”
“Work is currently underway to render the main roads across Saudi cities in 3D to provide drivers with a more realistic navigation experience,” he added.
Available on Android, iOS, and Huawei Store, it supports both Arabic and English, and features a voice assistant that guides users in both languages.
Alobaidan explained the technical challenges of rendering 3D environments, such the Grand Mosque and Hajj camps, on users’ mobile devices.
“Managing and optimizing the processing power and battery usage on users’ mobile devices when rendering 3D models was not easy.”
As the country continues its digital transformation, mobility solutions such as Balady+ are becoming a part of the conversation on how to make urban environments more efficient, accessible and responsive.
“Saudi Arabia stands at a unique moment. We have the chance to leapfrog the mistakes of car-first urbanism and become a global model of people-centered innovation — where design, policy, and technology converge to create cities that breathe, move, and serve with grace,” Alzahrani explained.
“It’s not just a digital tool, it’s a statement of intent. It tells us that Saudi Arabia isn’t just building smart cities — we’re designing smarter ways to live in them.”
Looking ahead, he said: “I’d love to see Balady+ connect with multimodal platforms, so users can seamlessly move between metro, bus, walking, or even autonomous shuttles.
“I’d also advocate for opening up APIs (Application Programming Interfaces), so urban developers and municipal agencies can build on top of the platform, creating custom layers for districts or temporary events.”
As the Kingdom rethinks how cities function, the role of local digital infrastructure is becoming more central.
Balady+ may not be the only tool in that transition, but it points to a growing appetite for locally developed, tech-driven solutions to urban challenges.
“It’s not following global models. It’s redefining them through a uniquely Saudi lens. And I think that’s something worth celebrating,” Alzahrani said.
Jazan’s stone castles draw travelers into the past
Residents ingeniously utilized available resources to create functional homes tailored to the needs and lifestyles of their communities
Updated 08 July 2025
Arab News
RIYADH: The stone castles and ancient homes scattered across Jazan stand as silent witnesses to a rich history and architectural legacy spanning generations.
Beyond their aesthetic appeal, the structures play a crucial role in promoting sustainable tourism and form an integral part of Jazan’s tourism and cultural heritage.
For generations, Jazan’s castles and houses served as vibrant hubs of social and cultural activity. (SPA)
The designs of these castles and stone houses vary widely and visitors are invited to gain insight into the traditional building methods and local materials used.
Residents ingeniously utilized available resources to create functional homes tailored to the needs and lifestyles of their communities.
For generations, Jazan’s castles and houses served as vibrant hubs of social and cultural activity. (SPA)
Far from being mere dwellings, these castles and houses served as vibrant hubs of social and cultural activity. They hosted countless family gatherings, celebrations and social events, highlighting the strong cohesion of the local community.
They remain emblematic of regional identity. Today, the castles and stone houses of Jazan draw history buffs and eco-tourists alike, offering a glimpse of the Kingdom’s cultural tapestry and efforts to preserve Jazan’s legacy.
HRC adopts Saudi-submitted resolution to protect children in cyberspace
Resolution mirrors the key pillars of the crown prince’s initiative, calling for enhanced global cooperation, the exchange of best practices and raising awareness
Updated 08 July 2025
Arab News
RIYADH: The Human Rights Council has unanimously adopted a resolution submitted by Saudi Arabia aimed at protecting children in cyberspace, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.
The resolution is rooted in the global initiative “Child Protection in Cyberspace” launched by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in October 2024.
Presented during the council’s 59th session, the draft resolution was introduced by the Kingdom’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations and International Organizations in Geneva, Abdulmohsen bin Khothaila.
The resolution, co-sponsored by Kuwait, Algeria, Pakistan, Azerbaijan, and Vietnam, received unanimous approval, reflecting broad international support.
In his address to the council, the official highlighted the dual nature of the digital space in children’s lives, noting that while it offers valuable opportunities for learning and interaction, it also presents growing risks that demand coordinated international responses.
He emphasized the need for strengthened national frameworks and international cooperation to ensure safety for children online.
The resolution mirrors the key pillars of the crown prince’s initiative, calling for enhanced global cooperation, the exchange of best practices, raising awareness, and the development of skills necessary to foster a safe and empowering digital environment for children.
It further underscores the importance of providing tailored technical assistance to meet each country’s specific needs and priorities, thereby building sustainable national capabilities in digital child protection.
With its unanimous adoption, the resolution underscores the Kingdom’s ongoing leadership in international efforts to create a secure, inclusive cyberspace for children worldwide, SPA said.
It also affirms Saudi Arabia’s growing influence in shaping global policy on child protection and cybersecurity.