Eight Arabian oryx calves born at royal reserve

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Eight Arabian oryx calves have been welcomed at the Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Reserve. (SPA)
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Updated 09 May 2024
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Eight Arabian oryx calves born at royal reserve

  • Arrival of oryxes marks significant step in Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Reserve’s breeding program

RIYADH: Eight Arabian oryx calves have been welcomed at the Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Reserve, it was announced on Thursday.

The arrival of the oryxes marks a significant step in the reserve’s breeding program, Saudi Press Agency reported.

The species was classified as “extinct” in the wild in the 1970s by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. In 1986 it was classed as “endangered” and in 2011 it became the first animal to revert to “vulnerable” status on the IUCN’s Red List.

Estimates from 2016 suggested there were 1,220 oryxes living in the wild globally and as many as 7,000 in captivity.

The oryx births at the ITARR follows the hatching of red-necked ostrich chicks and a rise in the number of Arabian sand gazelles at the reserve. Construction of a dedicated breeding center for the endangered Asian houbara is also underway.


Saudi Ministry of Culture launches grant to encourage research on Saudi-Chinese cultural relations

Image showing the Saudi and Chinese flags. (Shutterstock)
Updated 6 sec ago
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Saudi Ministry of Culture launches grant to encourage research on Saudi-Chinese cultural relations

  • New initiative is designed to support academic research that strengthens mutual understanding and encourages scholarly collaboration between Kingdom and China

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Culture has announced the launch of the Saudi-Chinese Cultural Relations Research Grant.

The new initiative is designed to support academic research that strengthens mutual understanding and encourages scholarly collaboration between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the People’s Republic of China.

The grant invites researchers to submit proposals that explore the historical, artistic, linguistic and cultural connections between the two countries, especially as political and economic ties between them continue to expand.

The initiative reflects the ministry’s broader efforts to foster knowledge sharing and intercultural dialogue through academic research.

Applicants are encouraged to address themes including history and cultural heritage, performing and visual arts, literature and translation, cultural economy and creative industries, and the role of digital platforms in contemporary cultural exchange.

Selected research will be published in peer-reviewed academic journals and will contribute to the enrichment of the field of Saudi-Chinese cultural studies.

Eligible applicants must hold a master’s or doctoral degree, or demonstrate a record of scholarly publications. Proposals must be original and submitted through the official grant portal.

The grant cycle will include proposal evaluation, peer-reviewed feedback, and final publication, with the submission deadline on July 15, 2025.

Results will be announced in August 2025, and each grant will cover a one-year research period.

 


Saudi Cultural Development Fund champions cultural entrepreneurship at Expo 2025

Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to Japan Ghazi Faisal Binzagr took part in a panel discussion and networking event during Expo 2025.
Updated 28 min 29 sec ago
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Saudi Cultural Development Fund champions cultural entrepreneurship at Expo 2025

  • Event highlighted investment opportunities in the cultural sector in Saudi Arabia
  • ‏Throughout Expo 2025 Osaka, CDF will display Saudi Arabia’s cultural ecosystem through activities, panel discussions and networking sessions

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to Japan took part in a panel discussion and networking event during Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan.

Hosted by the Saudi Cultural Development Fund, the event highlighted investment opportunities in the cultural sector in Saudi Arabia.

Titled “Cultural Entrepreneurship in Saudi Arabia: Fostering Innovation and Heritage,” the event at the Saudi Arabia Pavilion brought together global investors, entrepreneurs and cultural leaders to explore the Kingdom’s cultural renaissance.

‏The discussion, moderated by cultural researcher Saba Al-Khamis, featured Dr. Ghazi Faisal Binzagr, Saudi ambassador to Japan and commissioner general of the pavilion; CDF chief credit and investment officer Basil Al-Alola; Darren Barker, founder of Barker Langham; and Hessa Alajaji, founder of Saudi artisan design brand Accents.

The fund aims to position culture as a catalyst for global partnerships and investment, sharing success stories and sector-specific opportunities, Al-Alola said in a statement.

The dialogue emphasized culture as an engine for economic diversification and social growth, highlighting CDF’s tailored financing solutions driving the sector’s sustainable expansion.

‏The event celebrated Saudi artistic heritage through handicraft displays aligned with the 2025 Year of Handicrafts, alongside a performance by Japanese violinist Ikuko Kawai symbolizing Saudi-Japanese cultural collaboration.

“Our participation translates Saudi cultural assets into economic value,” Al-Alola said.

“We’re connecting international investors with local innovators to build a globally integrated cultural economy in line with Vision 2030.”

‏Throughout Expo 2025 Osaka, CDF will display Saudi Arabia’s cultural ecosystem through activities, panel discussions and networking sessions.


Film Commission showcases cultural power of Saudi cinema at London festival

Kingdom’s Film Commission will participate in the first European edition of the SXSW Festival. (@FilmMOC)
Updated 01 June 2025
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Film Commission showcases cultural power of Saudi cinema at London festival

  • Event is a global platform that brings together professionals and experts from various creative sectors through various events

RIYADH: The Kingdom’s Film Commission is participating in the first European edition of the SXSW Festival, which is being held in London from June 2-7, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The event is a global platform that brings together professionals and experts from various creative sectors through events such as panel discussions, musical and comedy performances, film and TV screenings, exhibitions, competitions, and networking opportunities.

As part of its participation the commission will screen a selection of short Saudi films under the Saudi Film Nights initiative, aiming to showcase the Kingdom’s storytelling and promote national talent to international audiences.

It is also organizing a panel called “Empowering the Film Industry in Saudi Arabia: From Vision to Reality,” which will explore cinema’s role in shaping national identity, preserving cultural heritage, and supporting local content as a form of soft power.

The commission will highlight the Kingdom’s cinematic achievements through an exhibition at the country’s pavilion featuring films that have sold more than 250,000 tickets, participated in top international festivals, or won global awards — underscoring the growth and international rise of the Saudi film industry.

The commission forms a part of the Saudi pavilion alongside other creative sector entities, including the Music Commission, Culinary Arts Commission, and Fashion Commission, presenting a broad view of the Kingdom’s cultural diversity.

This participation reaffirms the Film Commission’s commitment to expanding Saudi Arabia’s global presence, empowering creative talent, and positioning the Kingdom as a regional leader in cinema.


Saudi interior minister reviews Hajj infrastructure, honors security forces

Saudi Arabia’s Interior Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif opens a field hospital in Arafat. (SPA)
Updated 01 June 2025
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Saudi interior minister reviews Hajj infrastructure, honors security forces

  • 100-bed field hospital opens

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Interior Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif has opened a field hospital in Arafat, which is operated by the ministry’s General Administration of Medical Services.

The 100-bed facility is equipped with advanced medical technology and staffed by specialized teams to deliver rapid emergency care for pilgrims, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Prince Abdulaziz has also launched a smart health bracelet system for security personnel, enabling real-time monitoring of vital signs and giving automatic alerts to command centers to enhance medical readiness.

The minister also attended a ceremony honoring Hajj Security Forces and was briefed on operational readiness during field exercises featuring specialized vehicles, aviation units, and crowd control systems.

Lt. Gen. Mohammed Al-Bassami, the director of public security, said the Saudi leadership had mobilized all resources to ensure the safety of pilgrims, noting strong coordination had led to outstanding results.

The minister also reviewed infrastructure upgrades at the holy sites, including phase two of the Mashaer pathway which boasts eco-friendly rubber flooring to ease movement and reduce heat.

He inspected new shading and cooling systems at Namirah Mosque designed to improve comfort during prayers.

His tour concluded at Mina’s new emergency hospital, which has expanded urgent care capacity, with its services meeting global standards.

Prince Abdulaziz also visited the Hajj Media Operations Center with Salman Al-Dossary, the minister of media, and received briefings on unified media coverage. He viewed the Hajj media hub’s Hajj Window and Transformation Exhibition, which showcases the services of 11 public and private entities.


Students organize science fair to bridge STEM access in Saudi Arabia 

Updated 01 June 2025
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Students organize science fair to bridge STEM access in Saudi Arabia 

  • Two teens put together competition to allow international students in the Kingdom to compete
  • ‘We are proud of these young men and what they have accomplished today,’ says school superintendent 

DHAHRAN: Two years ago, when freshmen Jungho Kang and Raahim Lone met during a group math project at the American School Dhahran, they quickly bonded over a shared love of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) — and the realization that they wanted to be part of a science-centric competitive space.

But as non-Saudis in the Kingdom, no such space existed for them. So, they built one from scratch.

Now in 10th grade, the two co-founded SANES (Saudi Arabian National Engineering Symposium), a new, student-led one-day science fair that took place for the first time on Saturday at their school.

What began as an ambitious idea between classmates has since grown into a dynamic, Eastern Province-wide event that welcomed more than 60 participants from more than seven schools.

Lone, who moved to Saudi Arabia from Canada two years ago, said it took time to adjust to his new home — but building SANES with Kang has helped him find his footing.

Living in the same compound made collaboration easy. They found a sweet spot near their homes where they would regularly meet to brainstorm and plan the fair before heading home. It became their unofficial HQ.

They spent countless evenings after school refining their vision. “We spent freshman year working on it. I think this year it’s been more consistent so I guess you could say we’ve been working on it for two years, but we’ve actually been really working on it for one,” Lone told Arab News with a laugh.

From the start, their goal was clear: give all students living in the Kingdom — Saudi and non-Saudi — a chance to present their ideas, gain feedback, and learn from professionals.

“I really hope that every contestant just takes away something good and I hope they can learn something from these judges because we got really good judges — they’re all really experienced — and just presenting and communicating their ideas because that was our main goal from the very beginning,” Kang told Arab News.

The event featured two rounds of judging, with a panel made up of local and international experts.

Kang and Lone ensured the evaluation process was impartial, with teachers helping them filter initial submissions before handing them over to the judges.

They did not judge the final projects themselves but trusted the panel of experts to do the evaluating.

Behind the scenes, organizing SANES felt a bit like launching a startup, Lone said.

“We started cold emailing all organizations — universities, companies, organizations — we even got so far as having online pitches with some organizations, but that never really came into fruition.

“So then we kind of turned into our ISG school group when our teachers found out that we were doing such things, and our old superintendent brought us in for a meeting.”

With support from the International Schools Group, which runs five schools in the Eastern Province, the students booked their school campus as the venue, secured snacks, and assembled an impressive judging lineup.

First place went to students from British School Dhahran, while ISG Dammam students claimed second and third.

Kang, originally from South Korea, has lived in the Kingdom since he was four. He is especially drawn to mathematical research and is passionate about expanding access to science education. He co-founded SANES “to help students across KSA engage more freely in scientific research.”

When they started high school, they wanted to join a science fair but found they were not eligible for the Saudi competitions nor the international ones. So they made their own.

Hans Ott, director of teaching and learning at ISG, praised the initiative. “What’s exciting about today is that it was started by two of our students.”

“When they were 14, 15-year-old students, they said ‘we want a STEM competition in Saudi Arabia.’

“And they created an inclusive environment where international students, Saudi students — anyone in the Kingdom — had a place to showcase their talent and love and passion for STEM.”

Assistant principal Will McConnell, who helped mentor the students through the process, was especially proud. “The journey has been both inspiring and instructive. SANES began as a student-led vision, and watching it come to life has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career,” McConnell told Arab News.

“If students walk away feeling inspired, seen and empowered to pursue science and engineering further, then we’ve succeeded,” McConnell added.

 Superintendent Rhonda Norris echoed his words. “Success from my perspective has already occurred. Our students had a vision based on their passion and interests and through the support of the leadership team and our community, they brought it to fruition.

“We are proud of these young men and what they have accomplished today,” she said.

As for Kang and Lone? They are already thinking about what comes next. They hope to have the chance to go to college in the US, but in the meantime, with two more years of high school ahead, they are not slowing down — creating opportunities not only for themselves, but for their fellow students. They have already promised to “continue after we graduate, too.”