Oiling the wheels on a road to success in Saudi Arabia

Saif al-Arab · Mar 18, 2017

Saudi women meet to address changing role
Mar 12, 2017

RIYADH — Saudi women from adventurers to inventors are hoping a unique conference in Riyadh on Saturday will highlight their changing role and inspire younger women to push for new opportunities in the kingdom.

The event comes at a time when reforms are slowly changing women’s lives. In Saudi Arabia, women live under the supervision of a male guardian and cannot drive.

Women can now sit on the government advisory Shoura Council, vote in municipal elections, and work in some retail and hospitality jobs with the government’s Vision 2030 trying to diversify the oil-reliant economy by boosting female employment.

The one-day conference run by Alwaleed Philanthropies, a charitable group working to help women, will see Saudi women from various walks of life on the stage alongside international speakers such as British women’s rights campaigner Cherie Blair.

One speaker, Raha Moharrak, 31, who made history in 2013 as the first Saudi woman to climb Mount Everest, said girls in Saudi Arabia must be taught that they are not less than boys.

“My journey started as a mini rebellion… I wanted to shock my parents,”said Moharrak, who was determined to do something different after studying abroad and won her reluctant father over by email explaining why climbing was important to her.”

Other speakers include Hadeel Ayoub who invented a smart glove that converts sign language to text and writer Kawthar Al Arbash whose son was killed in 2015 trying to stop a suicide bomber.

Princess Lamia Bint Majed Al Saud, secretary general of Alwaleed Philanthropies, said the conference, with the slogan “Saudi Women Can”, was part of a campaign to draw attention to Saudi women’s achievements and inspire the next generation.

After the conference – which she hopes to make annual – a microsite SaudiWomenCan.com with a mobile app will issue daily motivational quotes, while other initiatives are planned.

“I want to give the younger generation role models to show them that, no matter what obstacles, there are opportunities and give them stories to inspire them,” Princess Lamia told the Thomson Reuters Foundation which is partnering with the charity to provide training for Saudi journalists on women’s issues.

Speaker Eqbal Darandari, associate professor at King Saud University who was elected to the Shoura Council in 2016, said it was important women learned responsibility and leadership.

“We need to teach females to be stronger .. to make change, to work on their own,”said Darandari, adding the biggest progress would come if women were given decision making roles.

“We are achieving things but not as fast as we would like. But this is a problem not from the top but from down, from the people, as what is needed is social change and that is slow.”

Moharrak, a graphic designer, said women need to get the support of their fathers and brothers for real change to happen.

“All the women who have managed to achieve independence have two things in common: a firm heart and an understanding father. We don’t grow up with an easy path but no-one wants to be disowned or disrespect their father,”she said. — Reuters

http://saudigazette.com.sa/business/saudi-women-meet-address-changing-role/

Saudi women in technology seek ways to lead
Mar 10, 2017

By Layan Damanhouri

RIYADH – Women of various specialties in the IT sector gathered on Wednesday at the Women Spark, an initiative by Microsoft in cooperation with Alawwal Bank that aims to promote innovation and excellence in the career development of women.

“In Saudi Arabia, female graduates in the IT sector are more than half. We see them working in different specialties,” says Deemah Alyahya, executive director of the Developer Experience and Digital Innovation at Microsoft. “I do see major improvements in females in IT.”

Attendance of females is usually higher in events and training, she notes, an indication that there is a passion and willingness to be more visible in the field.

“The challenge is for women to lead positions in senior management. A lot of females continue to become independent contributors and come to a plateau,” says Alyahya who is the first Saudi female to hold an executive position at Microsoft. “They don’t increase their skills because either they don’t have the confidence to become a CTO or CIO.”

Asked about her role in empower women in the industry, she told Saudi Gazette: “My ambition is to empower women in IT in the Kingdom. As a Saudi IT professional, I feel obligated to support other females in this sector and to enable them with knowledge, networking, software, skills, and whatever they need for them to grow. That’s why I created Women’s Spark and want it to expand it more to females in other sectors because we are now going through a digital transformation in all fields and specialties.”

After three years of the initiative, this year alone Women Spark graduated 30 female cloud experts and architects.

Women in various fields shared success stories and discussed ways to collaborate.

Budoor Ashadawi, who is acting manager of an e-commerce store by day and runs her own entrepreneurship venture by night, says women need to empower each other. “Women can do anything they believe in,” she told Saudi Gazette.

Ashadawi hired a majority of her staff Saudi female graduates. “It wasn’t easy but I feel I have an obligation to give back,” she says. “I found that females are not only hard workers, they are loyal and dedicated.”

Young engineer Aljawharah Alqahtani founded Fixtag, a business in repairing mobile phones. “Girls can do anything from fixing to creating things,” she said commenting on the male-dominated sector of mobile repairing.

Sara Oulddaddah, a leading female gamer in the Kingdom, says there is a community reaching up to 15,000 gamers and developers. She says, “We need to empower each other. In the gaming industry, we have amazing developers, artists and talents. I’m hoping to have an industry to have all these ladies to work together.”

http://saudigazette.com.sa/technology/saudi-women-technology-seek-ways-lead/

GE to bridge gender gap with 50:50 representation of women in technical roles
Mar 8, 2017

Today GE has over 100 women, in addition to over 600 women who work at the all-female business process center opened by GE in association with Saudi Aramco and TCS in Riyadh. — Courtesy photo

Riyadh — In keeping with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 and its strategic goal, General Electric (GE) announced on Tuesday its plan of achieving 50:50 representation of women for all its technical entry-level programs in the region, especially in engineering, manufacturing, information technology and product management roles.

The strategy reflects GE’s global initiative to have 20,000 women to fill STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics) roles in the organization by 2020, said a press release. It also complements the ongoing initiatives of GE in the region to strengthen the participation of women in its workforce.

In 2009, GE had no women on its team in Saudi Arabia. But today there are over 100, in addition to over 600 women who work at the all-female business process center opened by GE in association with Saudi Aramco and TCS in Riyadh. The goal is to hire 3,000 women for the center in the coming years.

“Saudi Vision 2030 has set the target of women representing 30 percent of the workforce, and we are supporting the goal, with a clear outlook to hire and nurture women in technical roles,” said Hisham Al Bahkali, GE’s President & Chief Executive Officer for Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.

“Statistics show that 50% of university graduates in Saudi Arabia are female yet only 22% are represented in the workforce. We are committed to making a difference with our new strategic initiative,” he said.

GE has also signed an MoU with the Asharqia Chamber of Commerce in Dammam to train 1000 women over the next five years at GE Garages facility. The training has commenced, with workshops on coding, 3D printing, and 3D modelling, to enhance digital industrial skills of women in industry.

Nabil Habayeb, GE’s President & Chief Executive Officer for the Middle East, North Africa and Turkey, said: “Our focus has always been to create a truly inclusive culture, fostering a climate that enables women’s employment and leadership. Our focus on 50:50 representation catalyzes our own transformation as a digital industrial company.”

GE has launched a white paper that highlights the economic opportunity of addressing gender imbalance across the sector. It states that women are still under-represented in the technology sector with 13-24% represented in IT and engineering positions globally, and just 17-30% ascending to senior leadership positions. While women tend to outnumber men in higher education (55% to 45%), STEM education drops significantly.

GE Chief Economist Marco Annunziata said: “Unless we bring more women into technology and manufacturing, there will be a significant negative economic impact on the sector. This is a problem for business to actively address.”

http://saudigazette.com.sa/saudi-ar...ap-5050-representation-women-technical-roles/

Rezidor appoints Saudi Arabia's first female hotel manager

Appointment comes as reforms are slowly changing women's lives in one of the world's most gender-segregated countries

By Staff writer
Thursday, 16 March 2017 2:46 PM

Maram Kokandi will be in charge of a new Park Inn by Radisson hotel in Jeddah, scheduled to open later this year.

Global hospitality operator Rezidor announced on Thursday that it has appointed the first female hotel general manager in the country.

The Rezidor Hotel Group said in a statement that Maram Kokandi will be in charge of a new Park Inn by Radisson hotel in Jeddah, scheduled to open later this year.

The appointment comes at a time when reforms are slowly changing women's lives in one of the world's most gender-segregated countries - where women live under the supervision of a male guardian and cannot drive.

Wolfgang M Neumann, president and CEO of The Rezidor Hotel Group said: “We are very proud to be part of this historic appointment. We are committed to empowering our women in leadership at Rezidor, and this announcement is a momentous achievement, not only for our group but for the hospitality industry worldwide.

"We are confident that this milestone, the appointment of the first Saudi female general manager, will inspire other women across the region to pursue their career aspirations in hospitality."

Kokandi studied hospitality management in the United Kingdom before moving back to the Middle East region, taking up various hospitality roles in Saudi Arabia.

“Today, we celebrate an incredible success of a Saudi Arabian woman and recognise her potential to lead in one of the most important and fast growing business sectors for the country. This announcement is a testimony of how the kingdom is progressing in this direction,” said Mark Willis, area vice president, Middle East & Turkey.

Saudi Arabia is a key growth market for Rezidor. The group has 30 hotels and over 6,000 rooms in operation and in development.

http://www.arabianbusiness.com/rezi...abia-s-first-female-hotel-manager-667298.html

Saudi to boost ‘decent and proper’ jobs for women and the disabled

Saudi women queue outside the "convention hall" at Princess Noura bint Abdulrahman University in the Saudi capital Riyadh on October 6, 2016. (File photo: AFP)

AFP, Riyadh
Wednesday, 15 March 2017

Saudi Arabia is aiming for a major boost in female employment in the conservative Islamic kingdom but women need not go to an office, the labor ministry said.

“Telework” and work from home will generate up to 141,000 jobs by 2020, providing “decent and proper” employment particularly for women and the disabled, the ministry said in a statement dated Monday.

The term “telework” applies to a variety of jobs done remotely outside of a company’s office.

As part of a wide-ranging social and economic reform drive to cope with lower oil revenues, Saudi Arabia is trying to get more women working.

But the ministry statement acknowledged “a lot of social obstacles including transportation and family responsibilities” that hinder female labor market participation.

The ministry said telework would also benefit those in remote parts of the kingdom where employment is even harder to find, but it gave no details of who exactly is going to create the 141,000 jobs.

Under its Vision 2030 reform plan the kingdom wants to boost the role of small and medium enterprises as well as broaden its industrial and investment base.

By 2020 the kingdom wants to boost the proportion of women in the workforce to 28 percent from 23 percent last year.

According to official data, at the end of 2015 the Saudi public sector employed 469,000 women while another 500,000 worked in the private sector, which the government wants to expand while reducing its own payroll.

Last Update: Wednesday, 15 March 2017 KSA 14:09 - GMT 11:09

https://english.alarabiya.net/en/bu...-proper-jobs-for-women-and-the-disabled-.html

KAU graduates first group of women engineers
Mar 13, 2017

Some of the women engineers who graduated with honors from King Abdulaziz University’s Women’s College of Electronic and Industrial Engineering. — Okaz photo

By Mishael Al-Ruwaili

JEDDAH — King Abdulaziz University celebrated the graduation of its first batch of female electrical and industrial engineers.

Hanaa Al-Naeem, dean of KAU’s Women’s College of Electronic and Industrial Engineering, congratulated the graduates and their parents for the achievement.

“The university has produced a new generation of graduates and future creators during its graduation ceremony. The ceremony included graduates from the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, College of Communications and Media, College of Design and Art, College of Computer Science and Information Technology, the Higher Education Institute and the English Language Institute,” said Al-Naeem.

She said the university equips the fresh graduates with various educational and vocational skills.

“The Women’s College of Electronic and Industrial Engineering gave women a chance to become pioneers in society. They will build society and break new grounds,” said Al-Naeem.

Ulla Al-Baity said she graduated from the college with honors.

“My colleagues and I are so proud to be the first batch of women graduating from the College of Electronic and Industrial Engineering from a public university. We can’t wait to prove our skills and capabilities in the workplace,” said Al-Baity.

Walaa Balamash said she also graduated with honors.

“We have a lot of challenges ahead of us. But we are confident that we will prove we deserve to be in the workplace as engineers,” said Balamash.

Rahaf Al-Harby said as a graduate of the Women’s College she is aware of the challenges in front of her.

“We are extremely proud and grateful to be the first batch of women graduating from a public university. We know that many other public universities will follow in our footsteps,” said Al-Harby.

http://saudigazette.com.sa/saudi-arabia/kau-graduates-first-group-women-engineers/

Saif al-Arab · Mar 23, 2017

Saudi Arabian cardiologist honored in New York

10 March 2017

Dr. Rasha Fahd Al-Bawardi
A PROMINENT Saudi woman cardiologist who works for the Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School was recently honored, along with 19 other Saudi women, by the Consulate General of Saudi Arabia in New York City.

Dr. Rasha Fahad Al-Bawardi was honored with 19 other Saudi women achievers by Saudi Consul General in New York Khalid Mohammad Al-Shareef. The ceremony, which took place as the world celebrated International Women’s Day, was attended by several consuls generals and diplomats.

Al-Bawardi was honored for her role in setting a great example for other Saudi women. She overcame numerous difficulties in medical school and found employment at Harvard University, one of the most prestigious institutions in the world. Today, she is a full-time professor at Harvard Medical School.

Thanking the Saudi mission in New York for giving her the award, Al-Bawardi said: “My mother taught us when we were little kids that there is nothing impossible and one can achieve anything they want if they set their minds to it.”

At a time when it was rare for foreign students to be admitted to US medical schools, Al-Bawardi secured a seat at George Washington University’s School of Medicine and Health Science due to her stellar academic credentials. She went on to earn an undergraduate degree in medical science and a graduate degree in genomics and bioinformatics from the same university. After that, she did her internship at Cleveland Clinic and then enrolled in Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York where she studied cardiology for three years.

“I conducted several research programs at the college. After that, I joined the Massachusetts General Hospital where I still work,” she said.

The scholarship program run by the Kingdom’s government allows Saudi students to realize their academic endeavors, said Al-Bawardi.

She added that she wants to serve her country by contributing to advancing medical research in the field of cardiology.

http://saudigazette.com.sa/saudi-arabia/saudi-cardiologist-honored-new-york/

A Saudi Medical Invention Has Revolutionized Plastic Surgery

February 2017

Dr. Abdul Karim Reza Fidaa was honored at the World Health Conference in Dubai for his medical invention that will revolutionize ear, nose, throat and other facial plastic surgeries. Dr. Fidaa’s new invention uses laparoscopic surgery techniques to minimize the invasiveness of surgery and shorten healing time for patients.

During his studies, Dr. Fidaa learned that more than 20 percent of medical instruments used today are of Arab origin, and he urges young surgeons to continue contributing to the developments of science.

His idea began as a way to help those with congenital abnormalities in the ear and nose. Dr. Fidaa sought a technique that would allow him to conduct surgery without full anesthesia and without a large incision.

Dr. Fidaa worked with a leading French medical technology company to develop the needle using Nano laser technology. The needle is thick and serrated, but flexible enough to enter under the skin.

Doctors now plan to use this new technology in knee surgeries, enabling the surgeon to work inside the knee without fully opening the knee cartilage.

Since the announcement of the invention, Dr. Fidaa has received overwhelming support and interest. He stressed that he remains loyal to the kingdom, but is eager to share this contribution with the world in hopes of creating channels for future collaboration with other doctors and international companies and universities.

Medical Innovation Contributes to Vision 2030
For project manager Mishaal Hisham Hersan, who has created more than 30 inventions for scientific and humanitarian purposes, this new invention with Dr. Fidaa has shown the world that Saudi Arabia is actively working toward the goals established by the Vision 2030 plan. The inventors are currently partnered with King Abdulaziz University in Jeddah, though they were also offered a contract with an American manufacturing company. They sent a delegation from the University and Secretary of the Faculty of Medicine to the World Health Conference.

http://www.arabianow.org/saudi-invention-revolutionized-plastic-surgery/

This Saudi Female Horse Trainer is Charting the Societal Changes Underway

March 2017

While horses have been central to life in Saudi Arabia for centuries, women like horse trainer Dana al-Gosaibi, have found it difficult to pursue their passion for horses in the kingdom.

Saudi Arabia’s recent efforts to advance women’s rights, particularly toward women’s involvement in sports, gives Gosaibi hope that one day soon she will be able to realize her dream of opening her own stables.

Change is underway in the kingdom, Gosaibi noted. She returned to Saudi Arabia four years ago after living abroad for over a decade. She came back to find women working as cashiers, in sales and in offices.

In the last year, plans for social and economic reform have prompted even more opportunities for women. These plans include expanding sports opportunities for women and young people. Last year, the kingdom appointed Princess Reema bint Bandar al-Saud to oversee women’s sports and the Vision 2030 plan lays out increased opportunities for women to be involved in the economy.

Princess Reema said authorities would soon begin granting license for female-only gyms. Changes such as these create favorable condition for Gosaibi to start her own business.

Gosaibi’s stables would focus on more gentle methods for horse training than the standard approach in the male-dominated horse industry in the kingdom. However, she has faced resistance for her approach to working with the animals.

The traditional method for training horses in Saudi Arabia requires significant force, and utilizes spurs and whips. Gosaibi prefers to take time to observe and understand the horse, so she “becomes part of the horse’s herd.”

“You need to establish a certain relationship and understanding because the horse needs to trust you,” she said.

Gosaibi keeps two horses at a stable in Jeddha, where she is able to shed her traditional abayah in favor of a baseball cap, trousers and riding boots. Both men and other women use the stables. Gosaibi added that progress is happening in Saudi Arabia: “Women are becoming stronger and they have a voice,” she said.

Read more at World Bulletin.

http://www.arabianow.org/saudi-female-horse-trainer-societal-changes-underway/

Saudi Arabia’s Hospitality Sector is Booming

March 2017

PHOTO : SAUDI GAZETTE
The hospitality sector in Saudi Arabia is getting a boost: the Kingdom is set to see a record number of 28 new hotels and 29,033 hotel rooms open in major cities across the country in 2017.

According to the Saudi Arabia Hotel Construction Overview, carried out by Tophotelprojects and prepared exclusively for The Hotel Show Saudi Arabia 2017, Riyadh, Jeddah, Al-Khobar and Makkah will be the Kingdom’s busiest areas for hospitality development.

“The hospitality landscape in Saudi Arabia is developing at pace, and this is a particularly exciting year,” said John Suzara, Event Manager of The Hotel Show Saudi Arabia 2017, “The largest hotel in the world – Abraj Kudai – is forecast to open in Makkah, while new brands are entering the market, harnessing the Kingdom’s potential at a time of major growth for its tourism, leisure and hospitality industries in the wake of the launch of Saudi Arabia’s National Vision 2030.”

Several international brands will enter the Saudi market for the first time this year, including Nobu Hospitality and Rocco Forte Hotels.

The Hotel Show Saudi Arabia will take place in Jeddah. The show is celebrating its fifth edition, as the show has grown alongside the thriving hospitality sector in Saudi Arabia.

Abraj Kudai Towers, set to be the largest hotel in the world, will open in the fourth quarter of 2017, and will boast 10,000 rooms.

Christian Renz, Vice President of Sales at Rocco Forte Hotels, commented on the hotel’s decision to add Jeddah to its roster of properties, saying “KSA has a lot to offer and I hope that the country will further open itself for international tourism. The incredible history, art, culinary culture and friendliness of people is an experience which I am sure a lot of travelers would and will appreciate.”

Transforming the Hospitality Industry on a National Level
Open itself up to tourism, it will. As outlined in the Vision 2030 plan and the National Transformation Program, Saudi Arabia plans to increase total tourism spending from 104.8bn SAR to 174.8bn SAR by 2020.

Read the full story on Zawya.

http://www.arabianow.org/saudi-arabias-hospitality-sector-booming/

Health and Wellness Gaining Traction Among Saudi Women

March 2017

Saudi women are increasingly stepping up as health and wellness leaders as sports advocates push for a more future of sports in the Kingdom that is all-inclusive and benefits all of society.

Princess Reema Bint Bandar Bin Sultan, undersecretary for the female section at the General Authority for Sports, met with Saudi women sports advocates in mid-February for a fruitful conversation that included a lengthy discussion about yoga and sports for the disabled.

Nouf Al-Marwaai, Honorary Secretary of the International Yoga Federation for Saudi Arabia and Arab Countries spoke about the importance of supporting yoga, which has several benefits for both physical and mental health. Al-Marwaai urged the Saudi government to get involved in promoting yoga, which is becoming increasingly popular among Saudi women of across all age groups.

In a sign that there is a great interest and demand for yoga, Al-Marwaai emphasized that she has taught yoga to approximately 8,000 students since 2005 and certified more than 150 teachers since 2008.

Princess Reema also held discussions with Faizah Natto, President of the Society for the Visually and Auditory Impaired, who talked about recent efforts to include people with disabilities into the wider Saudi community.

According to the Saudi Ministry of Economy and Planning, physical inactivity is a major health risk, common among adolescents with disabilities and often leading to other health issues such as obesity, making Natto’s perspective critical to discussions on increasing the accessibility of sports in the Kingdom.

Saudi Health and Wellness Leaders Aiding the Kingdom’s Transformation
Al-Marwaai and Natto are highly qualified, and offer a positive representation of contemporary Saudi women looking to serve society in their chosen professional fields. The position of Princess Reema as a leader in the emerging sector of women’s sports also demonstrates the enthusiasm of young women willing to step up and lead Saudi Arabia’s historic transformation under Vision 2030.

Read the full story on Saudi Gazette.

http://www.arabianow.org/health-wellness-traction-saudi-women/

Saudi Women are Redefining Their Roles
March 2017

Princess Lamia bint Majed Al-Saud addresses the Saudi Women Can conference. Photo Credit: Alwaleed Philanthropies
On March 8, a group of Saudi women marked International Women’s Day by unveiling a campaign to highlight the changing role and economic potential of women in the Kingdom.

Since 2011, when the late King Abdullah declared that women would be allowed and encouraged to join the government advisory Shura Council, the situation for women in Saudi Arabia has begun to evolve past what can be considered stereotypical Western perceptions of their roles in society.

“It is the right time…we are more aware of the importance of women’s participation in jobs, in different sectors,” Princess Lamia bin Majed Al Saud, secretary general of Alwaleed Philanthropies – a charity aiming to empower women – told Thomson Reuters Foundation.

She added, “Women have achieve a lot in our country and we are very proud of this, achievements the outside community does not know about. Like any other country we have obstacles, we acknowledge that…but we are doing our best to make it better.”

Saudi Women Featured Prominently in Saudi Arabia’s Future
Last year, Saudi Arabia released Vision 2030, which outlined the government’s plan to develop women’s talents by enabling them to play a greater role in the economy.

As Deputy Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman lays out in the foreward to the plan:

“We commit ourselves to providing world-class government services which effectively and efficiently meet the needs of our citizens. Together we will continue building a better country, fulfilling our dream of prosperity and unlocking the talent, potential, and dedication of our young men and women. We will not allow our country ever to be at the mercy of a commodity price volatility or external markets. We have all the means to achieve our dreams and ambitions. There are no excuses for us to stand still or move backwards.

Our Vision is a strong, thriving and stable Saudi Arabia that provides opportunity for all.”

As Saudi Arabia sprints toward a future that includes prosperity and increased economic freedom, it is clear that Saudi women will no longer be left behind.

Read the full story on Reuters.

http://www.arabianow.org/saudi-women-redefining-roles/

https://twitter.com/x/status/842734849685422081

https://twitter.com/x/status/697088826666311680

https://twitter.com/x/status/843120506014498816

The last video has not really anything to do with the content of this thread directly but at the same time it is a beautiful video that shows that there are teachers out there whose value cannot be underestimated regardless of them "only" being teachers. A good teacher can change the life of a student and many capable teachers that of an entire generation potentially.

Saif al-Arab · Apr 20, 2017

Saudi Arabian woman scientist at the forefront of polymer chemistry research

http://english.alarabiya.net/en/blo...-forefront-of-polymer-chemistry-research.html

There has been celebrations all over Saudi social media blogs over the extraordinary accomplishments of a female Saudi scientist. They have hailed the scientific achievements of Dr. Ghada Almutarie.

Saudis and many Arab social media surfers painted Ghada as pride of all Arabs and Muslims, asserting the worthiness of her research to future Nobel Prize nomination. During Friday prayers, Minister Sheikh Adnan Ibrahim described Ghada as “pride for the entire nation that will change the world of medical care”.

However, despite the adulation, Saudis have expressed disappointment over the manner in which Ghada, and other Saudi female scientists, has been presented in Saudi and Arab media. The demand is that scientists should get the same, if not more, attention as celebrities.

Research outputs of Ghada are no stranger in an era of Saudi women glory. Saud Alyumni tweeted that “Ghada is a reborn of the Arab woman, one that would redefine the Arab woman forever”.

Despite the stereotypes surrounding the country, Saudi Arabia is home to some highly influential women in the world. Stories of successful female scientists, scholars and businesswomen surface in the desert Kingdom all the time.

Hayat Sendi, a UNESCO goodwill ambassador for science education and UN Secretary General Scientific Advisor, Thoraya Obaid, the 2001 Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Khawla Alkhuraya; a leading genomic cancer researcher, Huda Alghuson,Saudi Aramco Excutive Director of Human resources, and many others are taking the lead in many domestic and international institutions.

Ghada Almutairi is a Saudi polymer chemist. However, she chooses to introduce herself as a “nano- constructor” or “plastic surgeon”. Since an early age, she prepared herself to qualify for major global challenges. Her problem solving skills always hold her in good stead while facing challenges in her personal and professional lives.

Coming from a family of scientists, Ghada’s dreams knows no limits. Soon after completing her high school in Jeddah, she moved to the US to obtain her undergraduate and graduate degrees. But high certificates were never going to satisfy Ghada’s ambitions. Soon, she entered the University of California, San Diego (UCSD).

Professor Almutairi has been a faculty member at the University of UCSD since 2008. She is the director of UCSD’s Center of Excellence in Nanomedicine, a rapidly expanding interdisciplinary research collaborative team developing tools for the future of biology and medicine. Her primary appointment is in the Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, and she is a member of the departments of NanoEngineering, and Radiology.

Her novel inventions mark the perfect match between chemistry and medical sciences. Once described by fellow scientists as “elegant impractical chemistry”, Ghada’s numerous researches led to a revolution in today’s medical world.

Smart polymers
Ghada’s innovative spirit led her to merge various fields for the good of humanity. Together with her brother, a plastic surgeon, and the FDA, she is now working to develop human clinical trials for a better way to perform liposuction. But Ghada’s biggest achievement at UCSD is probably best known for designing and developing smart polymers, nanoparticles and hydrogels for many innovative medical and research applications.

At a conference in Berlin recently, Almutairi announced her most recent research based on merging light-activated nanoparticles and lanthanides to increase sufficiency of solar energy.

But solar energy and desalination won’t be the end of Ghada’s creativity. The vast array of practical uses of her research — touching on everything from diabetes to MRI imaging — draws great interest from pharmaceutical, cosmetic, chemical and energy companies all over the world.

Major companies like Dow, Merck, L’Oréal, biologists, engineers and everyone seem excited about Almutairi’s work can be implemented.

Almutairi’s work has won her numerous awards and given her access to funds including: UC Dissertation Award, UC Presidential Postdoctoral Fellowship, PhRMA Foundation Starter Grant, and NIH New Innovator Award.

But Almutairi’s dedication to her work never let her lose her true identity. “I owe everything in my life to my parents, family and my country, Saudi Arabia, which I indescribably love,” Ghada says in a recent interview in Al-Riyadh newspaper.

“The Saudi King has always been keen on developing our beloved country and people. Our Saudi youth has all potential for success, only if executives facilitate the appropriate environment and support for them,” she adds.

SAUDI ARABIA

35,000 Saudi women studying abroad on government scholarships
ARAB NEWS | Published — Tuesday 11 April 2017

A Saudi scholarship student in US speaks to Saudi Press Agency. (SPA file photo).

JEDDAH: Some 35,000 Saudi women are studying abroad in 60 countries on government scholarships, said Shoura member Huda Al-Hulaisi, adding that Vision 2030 is based on the role of women and youths.
She noted the gains of Saudi women in recent years as they have become members of the Shoura Council and municipal councils.
Saudi women in 2015 constituted 51.8 percent of university students in the Kingdom, she said, adding that employing women and increasing their proportion of the labor market from the current 22 percent to 30 percent is a priority for the state

http://www.arabnews.com/node/1082551/saudi-arabia

Saif al-Arab · May 3, 2017

A Saudi 22-Year-Old is Training to be a Future Leader of Space Exploration

A Saudi 22-year-old has always had a fascination with space exploration.

“I love how airplanes fly and I’m obsessed with the physics behind spacecraft motion,” Abdullah H. Alghamdi said, recounting a childhood inspired by a universe that, for most, remains out of his reach.

Alghamdi, however, was determined.

Chosen as one of six international students studying at U.S.-based colleges, Alghamdi recently participated in Lockheed Martin’s Space Fundamentals Training Program. The internationally acclaimed program provides students a hands on take of space and orbital mechanics from engineering experts at the American space, defense and security company. Alghamdi, an aerospace engineering major at Iowa State University, joined participants from the United Arab Emirates and Mexico.

Intended to nurture future leaders of the space industry, the program takes students across the U.S., visiting aerospace facilitates in Colorado and meeting with members of the National US-Arab Chamber of Commerce, UAE Space Agency, Agencia Espacial Mexicana, and the Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission (SACM) in Washington, D.C.

“Giving students hands-on experiences in the space industry is the best way to excite them about future careers in the field. Working with Lockheed Martin has allowed us to give our emerging talent a taste of what their future could be if they pursue jobs in space,” said Nahlah Al-Jubeir, a director at the SACM.

A promising vision for Saudi Arabia’s space industry
While in D.C., Alghamdi met Prince Abdullah Bin Faisal Bin Turki Al Saud, the Saudi Ambassador to the U.S. The meeting underscored the broader symbolism of Alghamdi’s participation in Lockheed Martin’s prestigious educational program.

Under Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia’s economic transformation plan, the Kingdom has actively invested, and most recently partnered with Lockheed Martin to expand the nation’s expertise surrounding aerospace and related advanced technologies. To date, investments made in Saudi Arabia’s Space Fundamentals Training Program and the Prince Muhammad Bin Salman School of Administration and Entrepreneurship, an elite educational institution at the King Abdullah Economic City, offer a promising vision for the Kingdom’s role in the future of space exploration.

“We are committed to partnering with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to develop key capabilities and help achieve Vision 2030, by empowering the next generation of space explorers,” said Alan Chinoda, chief executive for Lockheed Martin in Saudi Arabia. “This program reflects our support of the Kingdom’s most valuable resource — its people. We are extremely proud of this year’s participants and look forward to seeing students such as Mr. Alghamdi leading the Kingdom’s space sector.”

As for Alghamdi, the 22-year old’s sights remain set on a future in space.

“The most important lesson that I learned from the program is that space exploration is a human endeavor, which is not exclusive to any specific nation, but rather open to all nations. My experience definitely motivated me to pursue a career in the space industry once I return home to Saudi Arabia,” Alghamdi concluded.

https://twitter.com/x/status/858646309674385408

https://twitter.com/x/status/857471149126684672

Beautiful.

Saif al-Arab · May 18, 2017

https://twitter.com/x/status/849326705265324033

https://twitter.com/x/status/850038976542986242

https://twitter.com/x/status/855082752315666433

https://twitter.com/x/status/852286078199484417

https://twitter.com/x/status/852557715935199233

https://twitter.com/x/status/846537866813607936

Construction Completed on Saudi Arabia’s First Wind Turbine

May 2017

Construction cranes assemble the first wind turbine in Saudi Arabia.
Construction has been completed of the first wind energy turbine in Saudi Arabia in Turaif, in northeastern Saudi Arabia near the border with Jordan.

To construct the wind turbine, 410 tons of materials, equipment and components were transported 750 miles from the industrial port of Jubail to Turaif. Gulf Haulage Heavy Lift Co. transported rotor blades for the wind turbine on 36 Scheurle SPMT axle lines. These specially-designed trucks moved the 58 meter long rotor blades – three of many that will follow in due course.

After the tower segments were assembled, the 83-ton nacelle was installed at its operating height of 84 meters. Together with the installation of the blades, the erection of the entire wind turbine took just two days.

Ironically, high winds at the construction site complicated the assembly of the wind turbine.

Wind, Solar, Geothermal Lead Saudi Arabia Renewable Energy Strategy
Saudi Arabia possesses an impressive natural potential for solar, geothermal and wind power. Development of renewable energy sources will become more urgent in the coming years, as local energy consumption is expected to increase threefold by 2030. The Kingdom has set an initial target of generating 9.5 gigawatts of renewable energy. Saudi Arabia seeks to localize a significant portion of the renewable energy value chain in the Saudi economy, including research & development, and manufacturing. From inputs such as silica and petrochemicals, to the extensive expertise of the leading Saudi companies in the production of different forms of energy, the Kingdom has all the raw ingredients for success. We will put this into practice with the forthcoming launch of the King Salman Renewable Energy Initiative. A review the legal and regulatory framework will take place in order to allow the private sector to buy and invest in the renewable energy sector.

Read more about this story at Construction Week Online.

http://www.arabianow.org/saudi-arabias-wind-turbine/

Brand Saudi Arabia: NEXT Power Brands Festival

April 2017

The 2017 NEXT Powerbrands Festival discussed efforts to brand Saudi Arabia's reform agenda
A variety of Saudi corporations convened at the NEXT Power Brands Festival in the King Abdullah Economic City to discuss ways to effectively brand Saudi Arabia’s social-economic transformation.

Among the business leaders who participated in the event were Mohammed Alshaya, CEO of the Alshaya Group; Fahd Al-Sukait of the Council of Economic and Development Affairs; and Khalid Al-Bayyari, CEO of Saudi Telecommunications Company (STC).

Teams of panelists discussed market realities, opportunities and challenges, and presented innovative ideas and impactful recommendations related to building and establishing brands.

Topics included the future of retail, consumers’ views, modern perspectives on branding, marketing in the 21st century, the branding of cities, the dynamics of modern economies, and brand building beyond borders.

Read more about this story at Arab News.

http://www.arabianow.org/brand-saudi-arabia/

Innovation on Deck: Scientists Successfully Use Light to Move Water

May 2017

Saudi and American scientists have discovered a way to make water move simply by using light.

Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and the Dhrahan-based King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals have unveiled a system that employs light to control the way water moves over a surface.

The incentive for this study stemmed from the need to separate oil from water as part of an innovative treatment of high salinity water and crude oil from oil wells. Electricity can separate the water and oil, however cannot manage as effectively when water possesses a high concentration of salt.

The researchers from MIT and the King Fahd University are focusing their study on the surfaces where the two would interact, which can be measured using a metric called wettability, orthe tendency of one fluid to spread on, or stick to, a solid surface. The researchers focused on creating a surface where titanium dioxide or titania, a compound that transfers electrons in a circuit when exposed to light, was responsive to visible light. They painted the surface with an organic dye.

“The coupling of the dye to titania particles allows for the generation of charge carriers upon light illumination,” said MIT mechanical engineering professor Kripa Varanasi. “This creates an electric potential difference to be established between the surface and the liquid upon illumination, and leads to a change in the wetting properties.”

When the wetting properties changed, the water drained out of the oil—even if the water was saline.

“By systematically studying the relationship between the energy levels of the dye and the wettability of the contacting liquid, we have come up with a framework for the design of these light-guided liquid manipulation systems,” Varanasi said. “By choosing the right kind of dye, we can create a significant change in droplet dynamics. It’s light-induced motion – a touchless motion of droplets.”

Read more at Popular Mechanics.

http://www.arabianow.org/innovation-deck-scientists-successfully-use-light-move-water/

Saif al-Arab · May 30, 2017

Saudi diabetes management forum attracts top world scientists, researchers
ARAB NEWS | Published — Monday 29 May 2017

Participants gather at the second Middle East & Africa Diabetes Summit.

RIYADH: As part of its commitment to diabetes management in the region, Johnson & Johnson Diabetes Care Companies (JJDCC) recently hosted its second Middle East & Africa Diabetes Summit.
The summit brought together some of the leading international and regional endocrinologists and opinion leaders to discuss the latest innovations in diabetes management and their clinical implications.
In addition to discussing clinical practice guidelines, the summit also featured sessions on strengthening the relationship and improving communication between patients and health care professionals for better diabetes self-management.
With one in 11 people living with diabetes worldwide, the disease is one of the largest global health emergencies of the 21st century. The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is no exception, with four countries among the top 10 globally in terms of prevalence in this region.
In Saudi Arabia, one in six people live with diabetes with a total of 3.5 million residents diagnosed, and the number is expected to reach more than 7 million by 2040.
“Over the last 20 years there have been significant advances in diabetes care in Saudi Arabia, from medicine and technology, to diet management,” said Dr. Bassam Saleh bin Abbas, professor of Pediatrics and Pediatric Endocrinology at the College of Medicine, Al-Faisal University and King Saud University.
“While eating habits are hard to change, we have seen a major improvement in terms of relatively simple things like portion control, which has an important impact on insulin therapy.”
He added: “However, I believe there is still a need to concentrate on communication and education for patients to help them self-manage their diabetes. I am excited by the innovation in diabetes management technology, but we must improve the basics, such as regular blood glucose monitoring, to fully reap the benefits of these new advances.”
Tamer Abbas, general manage for the Middle East, Africa and Turkey at Johnson & Johnson Diabetes Care Companies, said employees of the Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies work with partners in health care to touch the lives of over a billion people every day, throughout the world. LifeScan and Animas are part of the Johnson & Johnson Diabetes Care Companies.
“At Johnson & Johnson Diabetes Care Companies, our efforts are focused on patient-centered diabetes care,” Abbas said. “We create an integrated diabetes lifecycle management strategy spanning prevention, diagnosis and management.”
“And this can only be done by building a strong and long-term partnership with governmental authorities, HCPs, pharmacists and nurses,” he said. “We call this the Triangle of Care, where we always place patients at the center of everything we do.”
Mohammed Adel Hosni, director of Medical & Strategic Affairs, Middle East and Africa, Johnson & Johnson Diabetes Care Companies, added, “Our commitment to diabetes care is also highlighted by our efforts to enhance medical expertise, knowledge and innovation by bringing together thought leaders to discuss the future of diabetes at events such as this. We put the patient first, and our vision for the next few years is to invest heavily in educating health care professionals, patients and communities to empower diabetic patients with the sufficient knowledge to manage their disease through our integrated offerings.”

http://www.arabnews.com/node/1106781/saudi-arabia

Saudis donate blood for Manchester attack victims
May 28, 2017

Faiz Alghnami

BY SHAHD ALHAMDAN
SAUDI GAZETTE

JEDDAH — Many Saudis expressed their shock and anger through social media over last week’s terrorist attack in Manchester, UK, which killed at least 22 people and wounded 59 others.
A group of Saudis living in the British city have even started a campaign urging blood donations.

Many groups of young people living in Manchester were shocked by the tragic incident and launched similar blood donation campaigns to help the attack victims.

The Saudi Society in Manchester Metropolitan is one of such groups.

Faiz Alghnami, president of Saudi Society in Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU), said, “I heard about the attack when my friend called me to check on me. I was at my home then.”

When asked about his feelings after the attack, he said he was fully shocked and extremely sad from the bottom of his heart.

“As members of the Saudi Society in Manchester Met, we announced a blood donation campaign for the victims of the attack. It is the least we can do to show our support and sympathy to the affected people. I think it is a great initiative that shows our solidarity and that we share the sorrow together with those who were affected by the terrorist incident,” Alghnami said.

Hamzah Faraj, a teaching assistant in Taif University and a Master’s researcher in MMU, said everyone was downcast on the day of the attack. They were shocked because such a criminal act took place in a peaceful city like Manchester.

“Everyone was willing to help and looking for a way to give a hand. When I was going back home after finishing my classes on the day, I called my wife to get herself prepared to go to the blood donation center. When we got there, very long queues had already formed and the donors were mainly from Britain and Europe. When it was our turn, the staff members were surprised when they knew we were Saudis. We proudly told them that Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman called British Prime Minister Theresa May expressing condolences to the British government and people as well as the families of the victims. The team expressed their gratitude and appreciation as we left the center,” Faraj said.

http://saudigazette.com.sa/saudi-arabia/saudis-donate-blood-manchester-attack-victims/

Saudi clinics treat 3,387 Syrian patients in one week
ARAB NEWS | Published — Sunday 28 May 2017

A man is treated by a doctor at a dental clinic run by the Specialized Saudi Clinics at Zaatari Camp in Jordan. (SPA)

RIYADH: The Specialized Saudi Clinics, part of a national campaign to support Syrian refugees, provided medical treatment to 3,387 Syrian patients at Zaatari Camp, Jordan, in their 229th week of operation, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.
There were 894 visitors to pediatrics clinics; the number of patients visiting the general medicine, skin, and ear, nose and throat (ENT) clinics reached 363, 359 and 194, respectively, the agency said.
Orthopedic and cardiac clinics also treated 218 and 36 patients, respectively.
Dr. Hamed Al-Maafalani, the medical director of the clinics, said the clinics are receiving Syrian patients and providing all necessary medical services through specialized medical workers.

http://www.arabnews.com/node/1106286/saudi-arabia

Riyadh governor presents awards to scientists, professors
GHAZANFAR ALI KHAN | Published — Sunday 28 May 2017

Riyadh Gov. Prince Faisal bin Bandar, second left, presents KSU Award for Scientific Excellence to Prof. Sultan Ayoub Meo in Riyadh Friday. (AN photo)

RIYADH: In a move to promote science and research programs in the Kingdom, Prince Faisal bin Bandar, Riyadh governor, presented scientific excellence awards to a group of professors and scientists here Friday.
The “King Saud University Award for Scientific Excellence,” is given to distinguished faculty members and top researchers in order to promote standards of scientific research.
The awards were conferred by Prince Faisal, chief guest, at a glittering ceremony. The event was attended by scientists, researchers, professors and faculty members. They included: Badran Al-Omar, rector of King Saud University (KSU); Ahmed Al-Aameri, vice rector for graduate studies and scientific research; and Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al-Othman, vice rector for academic affairs.
“The KSU Award for Scientific Excellence is conferred on outstanding researchers to recognize their efforts in science and technology and for their lifetime achievement, research quality, inventions, innovations, excellence in external funding, best authored and translated books, and student research,” said Al-Omar. He said that the winners are distinguished scientists from various disciplines this year.
In medicine and allied health sciences, the award winners were Dr. Rabih Halwani, Sultan Ayoub Meo and Dr. Walid Zaher, he noted. Meo has had a distinguished record of academic achievements in the fields of both basic and clinical medical sciences. Meo has written about 10 major medical books and authored more than 150 scientific publications.
Speaking on this occasion, Dr. Javed Akhtar, a KSU professor, said: “Meo is also recognized as an outstanding faculty member and has implemented a string of innovations to teaching and research of medical science, especially respiratory physiology, diabetes mellitus and medical education.”
Meo, after accepting the award, said: “I am indeed privileged to work in this institution (KSU) with faculty of international repute.”

http://www.arabnews.com/node/1106296/saudi-arabia

Saudis receiving nuclear training in Argentina: Envoy
MOHAMMED RASOOLDEEN | Published — Sunday 28 May 2017

Argentinian Ambassador Jaime Sergio Cerda holds talks with Nasser Al-Daoud, undersecretary of Riyadh Region Governorate, at the National Day celebrations in Riyadh on Thursday. (AN photo)

RIYADH: Saudis are being trained in Argentina under a new nuclear cooperation agreement with the Kingdom, Argentinian Ambassador Jaime Sergio Cerda told Arab News Thursday at his country’s national day reception at Tuwaiq Palace in Riyadh.
The agreement is aimed at developing the use of nuclear energy to produce electricity, he said, adding that Saudis are exchanging expertise with experts in Buenos Aires.
The Kingdom is developing its human resources to be ready for when it sets up its own nuclear power plants, Cerda said, adding that Saudi Arabia is the third-largest trade partner of Argentina.
The acquisition of land by Saudi dairy company Al-Marai for the production of alfalfa to feed dairy cows in the Kingdom has created job opportunities in Argentina, he said.
“Our exports to the Kingdom include frozen chicken, fruits, vegetables, corn, among others. Imports from the Kingdom include petrochemicals,” he added, invited Saudi private sector firms to invest in Argentina.
He recalled that during the historic visit of the Argentinian vice president to Riyadh last November, the two countries decided to expand cooperation in line with Vision 2030.
Cerda said last week an important delegation from Al-Imam Muhammed bin Saud Islamic University traveled to Buenos Aires to promote cultural cooperation and get better knowledge of Argentinian people and traditions.
The recent summits in Riyadh during US President Donald Trump’s visit show that the Kingdom is on the right path in combating extremism and terrorism, to the benefit not just of Muslim countries but the rest of the world, he added.
Cerda thanked King Salman for his continuous support to Argentina.

http://www.arabnews.com/node/1106281/saudi-arabia

Ruba won a special award for her Green Nanotechnology Project in the field of Environmental Engineering
#SaudiWomen #isef2017 #RiyadhSummit

Saif al-Arab · Jun 13, 2017

https://www.azazarchitects.com

gati11 · Jun 13, 2017

if the dollar reserves wont get down you in the right way

Saif al-Arab · Aug 22, 2017

Should scientists be on @Snapchat? Meet groundbreaking #Saudi scientist—@NoufAlnumair—who thinks so: http://www.arabnews.com/node/1148276/offbeat#photo/3 … | #SaudiWomen

Armed with a Ph.D. in bioinformatics and molecular genetics, this #Saudi scientist hopes to make a difference http://bit.ly/2wgeDaR

Should scientists be on social media? Meet the groundbreaking Saudi researcher who thinks so
Saffiya Ansari | Published — Monday 21 August 2017

Meet Nouf Al-Numair, the groundbreaking Saudi scientist who believes more should be done to get young people involved in STEM. (Photos supplied)

Meet Nouf Al-Numair, the groundbreaking Saudi scientist who believes more should be done to get young people involved in STEM. (Photos supplied)

DUBAI: Nouf Al-Numair, a jet-setting young scientist from Riyadh, is working tirelessly to encourage Saudi youths to take an interest in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).
She could be the perfect role model for those who wish to make a name for themselves in the field, especially considering her call for lab-bound scientists to get out there and show off their achievements on social media.
She obtained an MSc and a Ph.D. in bioinformatics and molecular genetics from University College London (UCL).
Despite still being in her early 30s, she now works as a bioinformatics and molecular genetics scientist at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center.
She is also an assistant professor at the College of Medicine at Alfaisal University, and is engaged in volunteer work.
After pursuing her undergraduate studies in Saudi Arabia, Al-Numair headed to the UK. “After my internship at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, I spent time rotating between different labs,” she told Arab News.
“It was then that I realized I wanted to explore how two different scientific fields — the pathology of molecular genetics and the technology of computer science — could merge. At the time of my placement, this approach wasn’t available at universities and hospitals in Saudi Arabia.”
But the fashionable scientist, with perfectly-coiffed hair and a chic abaya, insists the move was about so much more than just her academic dreams.
“Going abroad and studying there, living there and exposing myself to a different education… will enrich me as a person,” she said.
“Everyone can access knowledge — on the Internet, in books — but the experience itself… is one of the main reasons.”
Al-Numair is especially grateful to her family for supporting her desire to pursue her dream. “When a family sees potential, they should really take care of it and polish it to convert this interest into a real thing,” she said.
But young aspiring innovators who do not have family support should still follow their passions, as it is up to the individual to make it work, she added. “I wasn’t taught this dream or passion, I practiced it.”
Al-Numair is now one of the first Saudi scientists to major in molecular genetics and programing biological information, a precise science that enables practitioners to read the future of diseases before they come into existence through genetic mutation.
She uses more than seven programing languages to analyze human genes. She has published several papers and has spoken at multiple international conferences.
“Since I was young, I always thought of myself as a creator, an innovator. Even then, I wanted to be a pioneer of an interesting field,” she said.
In 2014, Al-Numair was honored by the Saudi ambassador to the UK in a ceremony celebrating outstanding students for their scientific achievements.
She decided to return to the Kingdom to pursue a career in STEM as “Saudi Arabia is my birth country. Who does not want to return home?”
In the Kingdom, she works tirelessly to encourage interest in the science and technology sector. “I’m a member of the MiSK youth community (the Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdul Aziz Foundation). MiSK focuses on the country’s youth and provides different means of fostering talent, creative potential and innovation that paves the way toward opportunities in the arts and sciences,” she said, calling on more young people — especially women — to take part.
“I hope that more Saudi and Arab women will join the field. This is why I’m participating in the #Championofscience campaign and developing videos with the British Council. We’re doing this because we believe it’s important to shed more light on stories of incredible women working in STEM, to inspire the next generation of girls to become leading scientists.”
British Councils across the Gulf are working to highlight Arab women working in STEM who are making a real difference in terms of research and innovation in their countries.
The council invited participants, including Al-Numair, to film a short video explaining why they chose to follow their dreams, in a bid to encourage young people to show an interest in STEM.
“Writing is good as you can express yourself, but a video, even if it’s only one minute… you’re speaking the language of the young generation, and with social media it’s crazy now,” Al-Numair said of the campaign.
“We as scientists should be out there more. We should use social media and put ourselves out there and express ourselves. Why not use Snapchat just to picture my daily stuff like the labs and students? This lets the young generation understand that it’s a joy, because sometimes they stereotype science as boring, but it’s really not. If you really love what you’re doing, you’ll enjoy it,” she said.
“I believe it’s time for the media to put these achievements in the spotlight, and for scientists to use the power of social media to reach larger audiences and inspire future generations.”

http://www.arabnews.com/node/1148276/offbeat

Meet Fatima – A 19-Year-Old Saudi Scientist Who Received Recognition from NASA | About Islam

Imagine NASA naming an asteroid after you. That's exactly what they did for 19 year old, Saudi scientist, Fatima.

Meet Fatima – a 19 Year Old Saudi Scientist That Has an Asteroid Named After Her by NASA

http://mvslim.com/meet-fatima-a-19-...that-has-an-asteroid-named-after-her-by-nasa/

http://aboutislam.net/family-societ...ceived-recognition-nasa/#.WX9ZqoI1JlE.twitter

The Twitter profile of another talented and emerging Saudi Arabian female scientist:

https://twitter.com/SaudiScientist

Roha Moharrak is the first Saudi Arabian woman and youngest Arab to climb Mount Everest.

A very impressive achievement by a woman.

1st Saudi Arabian woman to summit all 7 mountains.

Her Twitter profile:

https://twitter.com/RahaMoharrak

Dar al-Hannan Saudi Arabian school for girls in Jeddah in the 1960's. Before the added influence of the clergy.

Video sent to me by my little sister of a cool Saudi Arabian female Youtuber.

Saudi Girls and Women are Actively on the Move
August 2017
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Saudi Arabian girls are now participating in sports at school.

In July 2017, the Ministry of Education issued a decree for the 2017-2018 academic year allowing girls to take part in physical education classes, a legislative shift that underscores the government’s ongoing modernization of the Kingdom’s societal structure. Indeed, allowing physical education for all students is “a historic decree for all schools, public and private,” said Lina Almaeena, a member of the Saudi Consultative Assembly Shura Council.

A Vision in Action
Saudi’s Vision 2030 plan has been the leading force behind the implementation of new laws regarding women and physical activity.

According to the economic and social development plan, Saudi Arabia aims to reduce its dependence on oil, diversify its economy and enhance cultural and entertainment life in the Kingdom for citizens. As such, the government has outlined a roadmap to get 40 percent of the country’s population to exercise at least once per week. Under this premise—and as part of the Kingdom’s move toward expanding opportunities for women—the government recently approved female gym licensees previously operated under salon licenses.

Activating Women across the Kingdom
Specific cities within the Kingdom have implemented their own plans to get women involved in athletic activities. Jeddah United, the first female basketball team in Saudi Arabia, is encouraging women to become more active in their public lives. Additionally, Riyadh will host its first-ever women’s squash tournament—a major move for both the nation’s female population and the Kingdom’s expanding sports sector.

Saudi Arabia’s social inroads cross into the Kingdom’s workforce. Across the nation, women have actively entered the retail sector, as well as head up major Saudi-based entities, including the Saudi stock exchange, the Dammam Airport and the Saudi Shura Council.

Saudi is actively broadening the space for women among the society’s ongoing development. With more women partaking in sports and assuming leadership positions in businesses, the Kingdom is moving closer toward establishing a more inclusive and diversified society.

Read more at USA Today.

http://www.arabianow.org/saudi-girls-women-sports/

Lina Al Maeena: Saudi’s Female Champion for Women’s Sports Access
August 2017
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Lina Al Maeena has advocated for women’s expanded access to Saudi Arabia’s athletic realm more than a decade.

On July 11, she reaped the fruits of her labor.

Saudi Arabia’s Education Ministry has announced that physical education classes in public schools will begin start being offered to women this fall. “It’s like your Title IX,” Al Maeena said, referring to the 1972 U.S. federal law prohibiting high schools and colleges across America from discriminating on the basis of gender in any activity, including sports.

Al Maeena’s determination traces to her childhood- with a passion that brimmed for sports and parents who encouraged the interest to develop. After finishing college in 2000, she married and welcomed her first child, triggering an episode of postpartum depression. It was just during this period that she realized “magical effect” of exercise. She felt determined to provide other women a similar outlet.

Saudi Women in the Kingdom’s Sports Sector—and Beyond
The Education ministry’s decision is one of many in the last few years that have supported the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 economic and social development plan. For example, in 2003, there was no licensing for female gyms or clubs and only a few private schools offered sports for girls. That’s why Al Maeena founded Jeddah United (JU), Saudi Arabia’s first private female basketball club. That was the start.

By 2012, Saudi Arabia sent its first-ever female athletes to the Summer Olympics. A year later, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz appointed the first women to the country’s advisory parliament. These actions, among others, prompted a shift in where and how women participated in society.

It was within this backdrop that JU navigated evolving cultural challenges to building out a robust and competitive women’s basketball team.

In the year five years since—and using a data-backed grassroots strategy— Al Maeena has made it her mission to maximize awareness of the benefits between sports and physical health. More so, Al Maeena’s work has paved the road to inspire women to advocate for an expansion of their rights, and role among Saudi Arabian society. As Deborah Packwood, an international sports consultant who has worked with JU, said: “[Al Maeena] has pushed the envelope for girls and women in sports, health and exercise, while simultaneously staying within the parameters of Saudi society.”

Read more at Albilad Daily.

http://www.arabianow.org/lina-al-maeena-saudis-female-champion-womens-sports-access/

Saudi Women Looking Forward to Sports Curriculum and Lifestyle
August 2017
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With the recent announcement by Minister of Education Ahmed Al Issa that Physical Education classes will be available to girls in schools across Saudi Arabia beginning next month, there has been a wave of excitement across the Kingdom about new and positive changes which help promote a healthier lifestyle, and a fitter way of living.

One of those women is Nelly Attar of Riyadh. A long time psychologist and life coach, she has recently transitioned to being a full time sports trainer to women who are looking to work out and improve their physical being.

Speaking to Arabia Now, Nelly said, “Sports has been the juice of my life. Becoming a trainer was never part of my plan, but it just happened naturally. And because we really haven’t had proper gyms and experts in this field up till now in Saudi Arabia, I saw a chance to get certified, and help others become fit too.” There is certainly a noticeable increase in awareness of sports becoming a key component to a healthy life, as women’s fitness centers are opening up across the Kingdom.

This is good news not just for the women and young girls who want to have a more active lifestyle in the area of sports, but it was also a key pillar of the road map for Saudi Vision 2030, which stated that improving access to sport for women and girls should be encouraged, as “Opportunities for the regular practice of sports have often been limited. This will change.”

One woman who’s been actively striving for change is Shura Council member Lina Almaeena, who’s spent 10 years trying to implement sports for girls in both public and private schools. She said recently, “I’m very happy with the issue of the decree and this is a historic day for all Saudi girls in the Kingdom.”

That is a sentiment also echoed by Nelly Attar who told Arabia Now, “When I heard that physical education was going to be allowed for girls, I felt that finally this is about time. It’s essential and it should be a given. I’m really happy its part of the curriculum and I’m so excited to see how sports will unfold in Saudi Arabia. I’m excited to see children moving more and not leading such a sedentary lifestyle. I hope this really encourages movement for the new generation.”

It’s certainly good news for the millions of women and young girls across the Kingdom who have always looked up to female athletes such as Sarah Attar who was one of two women from Saudi Arabia to compete in the 2012 Olympics for the very first time. But there are numerous another athletic role models too, including Joud Fahmy for judo, Lubna Al Omair for fencing, and Raha Moharrak, who climbed Mount Everest.

The recent announcement about physical education isn’t just a chance for women to become fit, but it’s also a chance for women to begin a new kind of profession. Nelly Attar has certainly seen the opportunity to diversify into a career in the field of fitness. She is the first certified Nike master trainer in Saudi Arabia, as well as being a spinning instructor, cross fit trainer and dance class instructor. But that’s not all. She did an online course in New York in holistic health management, which also addresses issues in maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and eating well. During her interview with Arabia Now, her energy was evident as she said, “I have had so many women come and ask me can I help to train them to be a trainer. I have also had so many emails for support and guidance in this filed. I see a market for this, and a big potential for women taking up jobs in sports.”

Training women to become physical education instructors will be done by the General Authority for Sports, the Education and Health ministries, and the Saudi National Olympic Committee.

Numerous studies have shown young girls who start physical education and sports early in their life, are subject to fewer chronic illnesses, stronger bones and a higher body esteem. Aside from the health accepts, the mental aspects of being fit and playing sports also had enormous benefits too. As women, they become better at organizing, setting priorities, budgeting their time and more involved with their communities as adults.

Nelly Attar couldn’t be a bigger cheerleader for the new health awareness and physical education initative. At the end of her interview with Arabia Now she said simply, “Women are more interested in sports than ever. I am seeing a big increase in running and my classes recently have been packed. There’s a lot of enthusiasm for sure.” It sounds like millions of women in Saudi Arabia have been waiting for this moment for equal access to the playing field too. Now thanks to Saudi Vision 2030, they have it.

http://www.arabianow.org/saudi-women-looking-forward-to-sports-curriculum-and-lifestyle/

@Kuwaiti Girl good news in order to combat obesity and unhealthy lifestyles.

A project has been launched to cultivate millions of new trees in Al-Ahsa.

Saif al-Arab · Oct 5, 2017

Meet Mishaal Ashemimry, First Saudi Arabian Woman to Join NASA

Published September 17th, 2017 - 14:59 GMT

Mishaal Ashemimry is the first Saudi woman to join US space agency NASA.

Mishaal Ashemimry is an aerospace engineer and serves as CEO of MISHAAL Aerospace based in Miami, Florida. Her job consists of sending small satellites into orbit with cost-effective space access vehicles known as the M-Rocket Series.

“When I look back at the moment I was inspired, when I was six, it somehow puts things into perspective. I guess you can say I get my inspiration through my younger eyes staring at the sky in awe and enthusiasm,” Mishaal said in an interview.

“My fascination with space started while gazing at the stars in the Unayzah desert. Since then my focus has been to become an aerospace engineer and contribute to the development of space vehicles and rockets,” she said.

Ashemimry previously worked for Raytheon Missile Systems’ Aerodynamics Department and contributed to 22 different rocket programs. Her professional experience and areas of expertise include: aerodynamics, wind tunnel testing, vehicle design, predictive simulation and analysis and rocket stage-separation analysis, with a strong focus on computational tool development.

She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Florida Institute of Technology with two Bachelor of Science degrees in Aerospace Engineering and Applied Mathematics on May 5, 2006, and a Master of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering on December 15, 2007. Her academic focus include experimental and analytical aerodynamics, rocket design and nuclear thermal propulsion.

As a graduate research assistant Ashemimry worked on a NASA Marshall Space Flight Center project on nuclear thermal propulsion. She analyzed and designed a new thermal nuclear rocket engine for Mars Missions for NASA. She analyzed and modeled the thermo-fluid behavior inside the nuclear core of the 1960s NERVA-Type reactors to better understand the issue of large wall thermal gradients and to benchmark codes to design our new nuclear thermal rocket engine.

The objective of her work is to design a nuclear thermal rocket that minimizes or eliminates the thermal issues experienced by the 1960s NERVA-Type reactors.

https://www.albawaba.com/business/first-saudi-woman-join-nasa-1022542

US Central Command congratulates first Saudi Arabian woman to join NASA

Mishaal Ashemimry is an aerospace engineer, who serves as CEO of MISHAAL Aerospace based in Miami, Fla. — Courtesy photo

Saudi Gazette report

Jeddah — US Central Command has congratulated Mishaal Ashemimry, the first Saudi woman to join US space agency NASA.

In a tweet it congratulated Ashemimry, saying she is “an inspiring model for women.”

Center for International Communication (CIC), an initiative of the Saudi Ministry of Culture & Information, retweeted: “Congratulations to @mishalashemimry the 1st #Saudi #female to join @NASA.”

Mishaal Ashemimry is an aerospace engineer, who serves as CEO of MISHAAL Aerospace based in Miami, Fla. The goal is to send small satellites into orbit with cost-effective space access vehicles known as the M-Rocket Series.

“When I look back at the moment I was inspired, when I was six, it somehow puts things into perspective. I guess you can say I get my inspiration through my younger eyes staring at the sky in awe and enthusiasm,” Mishaal said an earlier interview.

“My fascination with space started while gazing at the stars in the Unayzah desert. Since then my focus has been to become an aerospace engineer and contribute to the development of space vehicles and rockets,” she said.

Mishaal previously worked for Raytheon Missile Systems’ Aerodynamics Department and contributed to 22 different rocket programs. Her professional experience and areas of expertise include: aerodynamics, wind tunnel testing, vehicle design, predictive simulation and analysis and rocket stage-separation analysis, with a strong focus on computational tool development.

Mishaal earned Bachelor of Science Degrees in Aerospace Engineering and in Applied Mathematics from Florida Institute of Technology in Melbourne, Florida, and a Master of Science Degree in Aerospace Engineering, also from Florida Institute of Technology. Her academic focus included: experimental and analytical aerodynamics, rocket design and nuclear thermal propulsion.

She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Florida Institute of Technology with two Bachelor of Science degrees in Aerospace Engineering and Applied Mathematics on May 05, 2006 and a Master of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering on December 15, 2007.

As a graduate research assistant Mishaal worked on a NASA Marshall Space Flight Center project on nuclear thermal propulsion. She analyzed and designed a new thermal nuclear rocket engine for Mars Missions for NASA. She analyzed and modeled the thermo-fluid behavior inside the nuclear core of the 1960s NERVA-Type reactors to better understand the issue of large wall thermal gradients and to benchmark codes to design our new nuclear thermal rocket engine. The objective of her work was to design a nuclear thermal rocket that minimizes or eliminates the thermal issues experienced by the 1960s NERVA-Type reactors.

http://saudigazette.com.sa/article/517388/SAUDI-ARABIA/NASA

https://twitter.com/x/status/908419902561751041

https://twitter.com/x/status/915463529599242240

https://twitter.com/x/status/915410266073989120

https://twitter.com/x/status/915408648762986496

https://twitter.com/x/status/915241539194023937

Wonderful to see highly motivated youth like that from all corners of KSA. May they have all the success in life that they wish for and serve the country wisely and its people.

@EgyptianAmerican @The SC @Saudi Typhoon @Gomig-21 @Bubblegum Crisis @Arabi @Full Moon etc.

Saif al-Arab · Oct 13, 2017

Saudi startup wins global competition
GREG WILCOX | Published — Thursday 12 October 2017

Sadeem’s sensors can be installed anywhere, as they feature solar-powered batteries and their own transceivers. (Photo courtesy: KAUST)

LONDON: A Saudi startup has won the top prize in a global competition.
Sadeem, the world’s first multi-patented flood and traffic information system, was named the Best Global Startup at GITEX Future Stars.
Born in the labs of King Abdullah University for Science and Technology (KAUST) in Thuwal the company was set up by Mustapha Mousa, Esteban Canepa and Ahmad Dehwah.
Sadeem was picked from 1,000 startups to take the top prize of $100,0000 for its wireless sensor network — billed as the world’s first solar-powered urban flood and traffic monitoring system.
The system monitors and forecasts traffic and floods in real-time in cities using a combination of sensor networks, mobile applications and visualization tools.
“This win means a lot, and is a culmination of six years of work. This is due to the efforts of the whole team, our commitment to add value to the cities of the world, and our ability to create a solution for environmental challenges in today’s world,” said Mustafa Mousa alongside co-founder Canepa.
Both Canepa, who is from Mexico, and Mousa have experienced flooding firsthand.
“I saw what the flood did in Tabasco (in Mexico) to urban areas,” Canepa told the KAUST website.
“When I came to Saudi Arabia in 2009 and there was a serious flood in Jeddah, I thought to myself, ‘The floods are following me and I have to do something about this.’”
“The problem with flooding lies in the lack of information — information about the flood, the severity, the magnitude, the propagation — of the flood in the streets in real-time,” Mousa said.
“We started as a research group to address all of these issues, knowing that, until Sadeem, there was not a sensor out there that could be deployed in the streets and get information about floods.”
Each year flooding affects 96.9 million people worldwide on average, and causes $13.7 billion in damage, according to the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction.
Those figures are only likely to rise with this year having already seen hurricanes and record rains around the world, bringing destruction and chaos from Bangladesh to the US.
Sadeem team members have been busy taking their products to cities around the world and have received interest from city planners in the Middle East, Southeast Asia, North and Latin America.

http://www.arabnews.com/node/1176336/saudi-arabia

https://twitter.com/x/status/918469171226251264

https://twitter.com/x/status/918320830278332416

4m trees to be planted in Saudi Arabia by 2020
ARAB NEWS | Published — Wednesday 11 October 2017

A file photo of a tree planting campaign in Jeddah. (SPA)

JEDDAH: The Ministry of the Environment, Water and Agriculture aims to plant 4 million trees in the Kingdom by 2020, its undersecretary for environmental affairs, Osama bin Ibrahim Faqiha, told the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
In a workshop organized by the ministry with the participation of agriculture officials, he said the campaign aims to achieve sustainable growth in forests and pastures, rehabilitation of vegetation cover, sustainable management of natural resources, and the best use of irrigation water.
Faqiha pointed to controls in terms of suitable places for planting, and protection against grazing and trespassing.
He said the Kingdom has more than 2,500 kinds of plants, with the diversity aided by its climate and terrain.
Faqiha said planting 4 million trees is only the beginning. The ministry plans to provide 6 million seedlings for public and private companies, in order to maintain sustainability in agriculture and preserve the types of trees that are suitable for the local environment.
He said the first stage of the campaign will involve planting 300,000 seedlings in the regions of Riyadh, Al-Qassim, Hail, the Northern Border, Asir, Makkah, Tabuk, Madinah and Al-Baha.

http://www.arabnews.com/node/1175756/saudi-arabia

https://twitter.com/x/status/917739537379610627

Saif al-Arab · Oct 17, 2017

Some great news.

9 Saudis win 21 medals at International Warsaw Invention Show in Poland
Arab News | Published — Monday 16 October 2017

RIYADH: Nine Saudis won 21 medals for 10 inventions, registered at King Abdul Aziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), which they presented at the International Warsaw Invention Show in Poland.
Six of the inventions were presented for the first time at the international level. The Saudi Press Agency (SPA) said that the Saudi inventions were among 400 other inventions presented by inventors from Asia, Africa, Europe and the US.
The inventions included “The Educational Characters for the Deaf,” presented by Ayed Al-Sobaei in the fields of Education/Deaf/Entertainment/Games and can be used by both normal and blind people who can use Braille. There is an electronic application for the game which can be downloaded. The inventor won a gold medal from the Portuguese Inventors Association, a bronze medal from the International Warsaw Invention Show, and a certificate from the Moroccan patent office.
The second invention is a “Braille Table” by the inventor Al-Hanouf Al-Obishi, and it is for blind people and those who cannot read. The invention is a table with a scanner which can read texts. The surface of the table changes into prominent protrusions which enable the blind to read the book. A voice can also be heard through a sound system. The inventor received a platinum medal from the show and a prize from the Malaysian Inventors Association. She also received a silver medal for her invention “Mobile Cover for the Blind” which can read messages and the name of the caller.
The third invention was the “Enhancement Board” by inventor Lulah Al-Sraiya. The invention is a collection of keys which can help teachers improve their performance in the classroom. The inventor received a silver medal and a patent diploma from the Romanian Association of Inventors, as well as a special prize and a gold medal from Portugal.
The fourth invention is the “Head Cover,” which is a disposable plastic design which surgeons can use during operations, and can also be used for hair care. The inventor, Azzah Al-Ghamdi, received a special prize from the show, honors from the Canadian Inventors Organization, and a gold medal from Taiwan Inventors Association.
The fifth invention, “The Security Patrol Protection Box,” by the inventor Saleha Al-Shahrani, included an advanced defense system to disable projectiles before hitting a vehicle, and it won a gold medal, a best invention prize from the National Research Center in Thailand, and a bronze medal from the show.
The sixth invention, the “Peace Vehicle” by inventor Jana Al-Shahrani, received a special prize from the Moroccan patent office and a bronze medal from the show. The invention is a car door with a special design that can be detached from the vehicle during emergencies.
The other medals were rewarded to inventors Nisreen Al-Khwaiter, who received a gold medal for her invention “A Luggage Reception System at Airports;” Nawf Al-Hammadi, who received a gold medal from the Portuguese Inventors Association, a silver medal from the show, and a special certificate from the Moroccan patent office; and the inventor Dima Al-Rafei, who received a gold medal, a special certificate from the Malaysian Inventors Association, and a prize from the Moroccan patent office.
The International Warsaw Invention Show is an accredited exhibition from the International Federation of Inventors Associations, of which Saudi Arabia is an active member.

http://www.arabnews.com/node/1178291/saudi-arabia

Saudi Research Center discovers 41 genes identifying family genetic cancer

RIYADH - The King Faisal Specialist Hospital and the Research Center in Riyadh has recorded a new scientific achievement in the field of cancer research, the first of its kind in the region.

A genetic package containing 41 genes called Hereditary Onco-genesis Predisposition Evaluation (HOPE) can identify patients with family cancer or those who have a genetic predisposition to cancer, by examining a small sample of the patient's blood, the Saudi Press Agency reported. Dr. Khaulah Al-Kairaie said that the HOPE test was applied to 1,300 Saudi patients suffering from the most common cancer diseases, in the Kingdom (146 patients with thyroid cancer, 698 breast cancer, 117 women with ovarian cancer, 352 colorectal patients), adding that the results of this research were published in the Journal Human Genetics.

The design patent was registered in the European Patent Office (PCT / EP2017 / 070242) and was generally adopted as a requirement for admission of patients in this study. HOPE was able to use a small sample of the patient's blood less than 1 milliliter to identify the family genetic causes of 22% of ovarian cancer, 18% for breast and colon cancer, 2.5% for glandular cancer Thyroid for patients under the age of 40 years, she stated.

Pointing out that the reasons for this study, Al-Kairaie said that it was due to absence of programs or clinics specialized in the genetic cancers in the Kingdom, and the absence of a scientific study on a large segment of patients to identify the proportion of genetic cancer or the extent of the spread of genetic cancer, in Saudi patients, indicating that this study is of great importance in the planning of comprehensive national programs for the prevention of cancer genetics in the Kingdom.

The study is the most comprehensive of its kind on Saudi cancer patients, and proves superiority of genetic testing, which has become easier and accessible to all advanced medical centers to distinguish it from the traditional ways of identifying patients, who have the susceptibility to genetic cancer based on the family history of cancer, which may not be known or available to doctors, she asserted.

Preventive programs for genetic cancers have contributed significantly to reducing the incidence of cancer in developed countries in the last decade, which is known as the small average family members, so the effectiveness of national prevention programs of genetic cancer will have a more effective role and influence, in Saudi society, through the genetic examination of the Hope Pack, she concluded. -- Al Arabiya English

http://saudigazette.com.sa/article/...rs-41-genes-identifying-family-genetic-cancer

GACA to pick 20 Saudi women for ‘future leaders’ program

Saudi Gazette report

JEDDAH — The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) on Sunday began interviewing women applicants to join its five-year “future leaders” program.

Under the program, which began in 2015, some 150 men and women will be trained and qualified to take up leading administrative jobs in GACA’s various sectors and airports.

Out of 230 women applicants, only 20 will be shortlisted to join the training which will start in November.

As many as 2,865 women applied for the program, but after thorough scrutiny only 230 were shortlisted of whom only 20 will be selected.

GACA spokesman Abdullah Al-Khiraif said the candidates will be trained on the authority’s various specializations and work fields.

During the training period, trainees will be paid monthly salaries and provided medical insurance which will also cover their families.

Khiraif said the training will focus on management skills and will also include familiarization visits to all GACA sectors and offices. “Women will receive on the job training inside and outside the Kingdom,” he said.

The spokesman said the trainees will be constantly evaluated.

http://saudigazette.com.sa/article/...ick-20-Saudi-women-for-future-leaders-program

Nominations sought for Saudi scientific, humanitarian award
Arab News | Published — Sunday 15 October 2017

Logo of the Princess Adelah bint Abdullah Scientific and Humanitarian Award. (Photo courtesy: screenshot)

Jeddah: Nominations for the Princess Adelah bint Abdullah Scientific and Humanitarian Award are now open, the Sanad Children’s Cancer Support Association has announced.
The award has three categories: Scientific, humanitarian and determination. Nominations will be evaluated by doctors and experts.
“The award seeks to honor pediatric cancer researchers, pediatric tumor treatment programs, and individuals and institutions that support Sanad’s efforts in caring for children with cancer,” said Princess Adelah bint Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz, chairwoman of Sanad.
“The award also honors children with strong willpower, and aims to encourage families who are patient in following through with their children’s painful treatment.”
Princess Adelah commended Saudi Arabia’s advanced health care services, especially for achieving high survival rates after cancer treatment.
Award manager Muneera Al-Rakaf said in partnership with an elite group of experienced doctors and researchers, the award is granted after nominees meet certain conditions, including being a citizen or resident of Saudi Arabia.
“This award is of vital importance because it’s an added value that serves those who run treatment programs for children with cancer and those who treat cancer tumors in children,” she added.
The closing date for nominations is Oct. 31.

http://www.arabnews.com/node/1178016/saudi-arabia

Saif al-Arab · Nov 4, 2017

Saudi Arabian researcher achieves worldwide success in space field

Arab News | Published — Tuesday 31 October 2017

RIYADH: The general supervisor of the office of program management for King Abdul Aziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) and professor of mechanical engineering, Dr. Khalid Al-Hussan, won a seat at the International Academy of Astronautics for his research in the field of aerospace.

Through this membership, Dr. Al-Hussan will contribute to international efforts and cooperation between all countries and entities in the advancement and development of space technology and science in the world.

Al-Hussan supervised the Saudi satellites launched by KACST in 2006, 2008, 2012 and 2014, and was honored with an honorary award for his personal contributions to the development and production of the Antonov 132D joint venture between KACST and Antonov in 2017.

He was also selected for the Professor of the Year award from 1998-2003 for many engineering departments including civil, environmental, mechanical and space for his strong academic skills. He has published more than 100 scientific papers that were cited in the International Scientific Catalog.

He also registered 40 patents at the US Patent and Trademark Office.

Al-Hussan’s scientific publications have contributed to the development of a number of products in aviation and industry. He developed the principles of flow separation reductions.

He has also played an important role in promoting scientific research trends in Saudi Arabia. He led research teams in more than 50 projects at KACST, in addition to his contributions to various fields of science and technology recognized both locally and internationally.

The International Academy of Astronautics, founded in the Swedish capital of Stockholm, is an independent non-governmental organization recognized by the UN. The academy includes the first Arab astronaut, Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdul Aziz, and Prince Turki bin Saud bin Mohammed, president of King Abdul Aziz City for Science and Technology.

The academy aims to promote the development of space science for peaceful purposes, as well as to honor those who have completed a number of projects toward promotion of international cooperation with a view of the development of space science.

http://www.arabnews.com/node/1185941/saudi-arabia

https://www.leaders-mena.com/5562/khaled-al-hassan-working-on-producing-antonv-312-in-ksa

Saudi Arabian engineer joins NASA microgravity project

Mishaal Saeed Al-Shihrani

Abdullah Saif
Okaz/Saudi Gazette

Riyadh — US space agency NASA has involved a Saudi engineer in its prestigious microgravity research project.

Mishaal Saeed Al-Shihrani and his team earned the best proposition among other participants to join the project.

Shihrani said the project they are working involves designing a device that can stop the force of gravity (zero gravity environment) for over 21 days.

This will help engineers and scientists in biological engineering to intricately analyze organic samples under a weak force of gravity, he added.

According to Shihrani, the device will be sent to space to compare results achieved on earth. The project is in its final stages and will be delivered at the end of this year, he said.

Shihrani is a mechanical engineer, and former Saudi Aramco employee.

He is currently studying at San Jose University in Silicon Valley.

He was born and raised in Bisha Governorate. The education he received there paved the way for his future accomplishments.

Shihrani, however, is not the first Saudi to join NASA.

Mishaal Ashemimry was the first Saudi woman to join US space agency.

Mishaal Ashemimry is an aerospace engineer, who serves as CEO of MISHAAL Aerospace based in Miami, Fla. The goal is to send small satellites into orbit with cost-effective space access vehicles known as the M-Rocket Series.

http://saudigazette.com.sa/article/520329/SAUDI-ARABIA/Youngest-bridegroom-in-Tabuk-gets-a-baby-boy

We are seeing the fruits now and this is just the very beginning. Much more is to come.

Saif al-Arab · Dec 2, 2017

Who said that our Afro-Arab lot do not amount to anything?

https://twitter.com/x/status/936187131868848129

https://twitter.com/x/status/936193880843792384

Another one in the making;

https://twitter.com/x/status/931456909701398528

Saif al-Arab · Dec 5, 2017

More gems;

https://twitter.com/x/status/937846220445192192

https://twitter.com/x/status/937843913099849728

https://twitter.com/x/status/931889971006406656

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