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RIYADH: The King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language launched its Wesal program on Thursday. Wesal is an educational initiative intended to help non-native speakers working in ��������’s public and private sectors.

The program aims to provide linguistic training opportunities within institutional training plans, as part of the academy’s initiatives to “empower the Arabic language in professional and organizational contexts,” according to a statement.

The three-month program will be held at the academy’s headquarters in Riyadh, with a flexible schedule tailored to accommodate participants’ work hours and commitments.

Abdullah Al-Washmi, secretary-general of the KSGAAL, told Arab News: “The Wesal program represents a qualitative step in activating the Arabic language and strengthening its presence in professional and practical fields across the public and private sectors, reflecting the academy’s role in developing multilingual work environments within the Kingdom.

“Through Wesal we seek to equip a wide segment of non-Arabic-speaking professionals with functional language communication tools, enhancing their performance and deepening their connection to the national culture and identity. This program underscores the academy’s commitment to its educational and developmental responsibilities, as well as its role in supporting the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 and the Human Capability Development Program,” he continued.

The program covers aspects of the Arabic language focusing on key skills that support the functional use of Arabic in professional settings. It also includes content intended to enhance trainees’ ability to perform their tasks efficiently within the context of Saudi culture, Al-Washmi explained. 

The new program is part of the academy’s mission to consolidate the Arabic language and enhance its use across all fields of knowledge and communication, he added.

Saad Al-Qahtani, head of the Educational Programs Sector at KSGAAL, told Arab News that the Wesal program offers communicative and functional content relevant to the real world of the workplace.

It focuses on teaching Arabic in realistic administrative and professional contexts, away from traditional curricula of a general or academic nature, he said, and is based on a curriculum developed by the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, but adapts activities and vocabulary to serve functional communication skills, such as writing official mail, handling administrative forms and participating in and managing meetings, while incorporating local administrative and cultural terminology.

According to Al-Qahtani, the program adopts an initial language diagnostic mechanism to determine trainees' levels, in addition to gradually adapting the content to suit different levels. The design of language activities also takes into account the use of visual and contextual methods, employing intermediate language when necessary, and providing examples from diverse work environments to ensure greater inclusiveness and flexibility.

Although the program has not yet received official accreditation from the relevant authorities in the Kingdom, its reliance on the CEFR framework aligns it with international best practices and paves the way for its future adoption as a recognized professional standard in the Saudi labor market, Al-Qahtani said.

Bandar Al-Jasir, executive partner at public relations firm Syaq, told Arab News that he expects Arabic proficiency to become a seriously considered element in professional assessment, especially for positions that require deeper engagement with the local audience.

Al-Jasir said that �������� is leading efforts to build “culturally aware artificial intelligence tools” and that the “next challenge” is to ensure that these tools enhance the richness of the Arabic language, with human verification remaining a key element.

The priority for business solutions, he believes, should be the Arabization of operating systems and user interfaces, the provision of effective language training programs, and the development of smart tools that handle Arabic with contextual awareness.

Using Arabic internally naturally enhances corporate identity, according to Al-Jasir, who added that the “real challenge” facing the Arabic language today is to preserve it in everyday conversation, particularly since English is becoming ever more widely used in “informal business communication.”

JEDDAH: Jeddah launched its first “artificial intelligence laboratory” on Friday, a groundbreaking program designed to accelerate the growth of local entrepreneurs and emerging businesses.

The Start Smart Entrepreneurship Center is spearheading the initiative with backing from the Community Jameel Saudi Foundation.

The comprehensive program creates an immersive environment where startup founders, business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs can harness AI technologies to transform their ventures, SPA reported. The lab establishes a dynamic networking hub connecting participants with innovation hubs, business accelerators, service providers and successful graduates from previous Start Smart cohorts.

The laboratory operates through three pathways.

Professional practitioners lead “enrichment encounters,” sharing insights on implementing AI solutions across various industries.

The “technology toolkit” component provides intensive workshops where industry experts guide participants through practical AI applications tailored for startup development.

A “mentor connect” service offers one-on-one consultations with experienced business leaders, enabling participants to tap into proven strategies and learn from both successes and setbacks in the entrepreneurial journey, SPA reported.