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RIYADH: Bahrain’s King Hamad received Saudi Minister of State Prince Turki bin Mohammed bin Fahd bin Abdulaziz at Al-Safriya Palace on Sunday.
The king welcomed Prince Turki and noted the distinguished relations between their countries, Saudi Press Agency reported.
Prince Turki conveyed the greetings of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and King Hamad similarly sent his greetings to the Saudi leadership.
RIYADH: The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, in partnership with IBM and the Saudi Quantum Technology Association, has launched the Quantum Challenge, an educational competition taking place from Nov. 9 to 13.
The challenge aims to raise awareness of quantum computing among Saudi talents and enable participants to program using Qiskit, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.
It also seeks to strengthen their skills in solving quantum optimization problems (QUBO/VQE/QAOA) and applying them in artificial intelligence.
The program combines hands-on training with practical challenges, guiding participants from basic concepts to developing quantum-based solutions for real-world problems.
It prepares a new generation of innovators to advance the Kingdom’s digital future, according to the SPA.
The ministry invited university students and graduates in computer science and advanced technologies to register for the challenge before Nov. 1 via: futureskills.mcit.gov.sa/en/form/nmwdhj-tsjyl-f-alyt-thdy-alkmw.
RIYADH: The fourth edition of EV Auto Show Riyadh will take place from Oct. 27 to 29 at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center, highlighting new electric vehicle models, local manufacturing, and training initiatives.
Recent research indicates that 40 percent of Saudi consumers are now considering purchasing an electric vehicle within the next year, a sharp rise from less than 1 percent two years ago.
The event will feature more than 120 exhibitors from 35 countries, showcasing the latest electric and plug-in hybrid technologies.
Among the main highlights is the Saudi debut of the ROX ADAMAS luxury all-terrain SUV, following its global premiere in Abu Dhabi earlier this month. Lucid Motors will also display its new Gravity SUV, expanding the range of premium electric options available to Saudi consumers.
This year’s edition will spotlight the wider ecosystem supporting the country’s electric mobility shift, including manufacturing, charging infrastructure, and workforce development.
Lucid Motors, which operates an assembly plant in King Abdullah Economic City, will present its latest models. The facility currently assembles 5,000 vehicles per year, with plans to reach a full manufacturing capacity of 155,000 units.
The National Automotive and Vehicles Academy, launched in 2024 by the Public Investment Fund, will also showcase its training and technical education programs. In collaboration with Ceer and Lucid Motors, NAVA aims to prepare local talent for roles in the electric vehicle and automotive services sectors.
Visitors will be able to view a range of electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles from brands such as BYD, Tesla, Sixt, Chery, JAECOO, and iCAUR. Charging infrastructure providers, including Alpitronic, will display new high-capacity and fast-charging systems.
’s public charging network currently includes more than 200 stations nationwide, with plans to expand further in the coming years.
The event’s conference program will include over 60 speakers discussing policy, infrastructure, and technology challenges shaping the country’s electric vehicle development.
Topics will include charging network expansion, financing solutions for consumer and fleet adoption, and advancements in battery technologies suitable for the local climate.
Sessions will also address digital mobility platforms and connected vehicle systems, transforming transportation operations.
Attendance at the event has grown steadily, with visitor numbers expected to reach 12,000 this year, compared to 6,000 in 2023.
Exhibitor participation has increased by more than 20 percent year-on-year. Industry reports estimate that the Saudi electric vehicle market will grow from $2.3 billion in 2024 to $15.8 billion by 2030, driven by infrastructure investment and rising consumer demand.
EV Auto Show Riyadh 2025 is supported by key industry sponsors, including Electromin as title sponsor and Solutions Valley, a joint venture with the Saudi Electricity Co., as platinum sponsor.
Knowledge partners PwC, Frost & Sullivan, and Roland Berger will provide market analysis and insights, while Formula E will participate as a supporting partner.
Attendees will have the opportunity to test drive the latest electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles, explore charging and battery technologies, and connect with manufacturers, investors, and policymakers.
The event will also host a series of discussions and networking sessions focused on the practical aspects of building a sustainable electric vehicle market in .
LONDON: The Saudi Museums Commission marked the graduation of a new cohort from its international training program at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London on Friday, part of its drive to staff the Kingdom’s museums with homegrown professionals trained to global standards.
The commission’s mandate is to develop and operate flagship museums that celebrate Saudi heritage and expand cultural participation nationwide.
“This is about Saudi human capability,” said Taghreed Al-Saraj, the commission’s general manager for education and talent development.
“We are developing museums in , and we need to operate them, and who better to do that than Saudis themselves? We recognize this is a new sector, but we are capable of tackling it. Now we need to train, reskill, and give people the knowledge they need to operate these museums.”
Al-Saraj said the international program had run in Egypt, Italy, and the UK, culminating at the V&A in London.
“All of the Saudi participants — more than 150 across the different cities — have gained expertise and international best practices in the museum field, which they are now bringing back to ,” she said. “This program will feed into all of our museums, public and private, that will open by 2030.”
Participants received practitioner-led training at the V&A, with direct access to curators, conservators, and learning teams, using live projects and case studies rather than classroom theory — an approach designed to translate quickly into day-to-day practice in Saudi institutions.
“This is a very special day,” said Ian Ellard, head of adult learning and training at the V&A.
“It’s the last day of a very tough four weeks. They’ve worked incredibly hard and learned an incredible amount. These Saudi professionals are building a cultural center for their families and future generations, and this is certainly not the end of the relationship between the Museums Commission and the V&A.”
The graduation aligns with Vision 2030’s Human Capability Development Program, which aims to equip citizens with skills to compete and contribute across sectors, including culture and heritage. The commission’s strategy is to turn that national commitment into museum-ready talent, deploying it into new institutions opening across the country.
Ellard highlighted the strong momentum behind the partnership, saying: “We’ve seen an incredible level of engagement. The ambition the commission and the Kingdom have for the future of the culture sector is infectious — you can feel it in the room.”
Al-Saraj framed the outcome in practical terms: trained Saudis moving into roles that strengthen documentation and provenance, build conservation workflows, and deliver programs connecting collections with local audiences.
The V&A — a family of museums with a national collection of over 2.8 million objects spanning 5,000 years — provided the scale and operational insight that shaped the cohort’s final weeks before their return to .
As the ceremony ended, the message from both sides was clear: export the methods, localize the delivery, and build the museum workforce the Kingdom needs.
RIYADH: Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, the secretary-general of the Muslim World League, met a delegation of Sudanese scholars during his recent official visit to Sudan.
The meeting was attended by Sudan’s Prime Minister Kamil Idris, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.
Topics of mutual interest were discussed, focusing on the scholars’ role in strengthening national unity and promoting religious awareness among all sections of society.
RIYADH: The joint naval exercise Blue Sword-4, which has been conducted by the Royal Saudi Naval Forces and China, has concluded in Jubail, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.
The exercise included scenarios and field drills such as combat in built-up areas, patrols, raids, ambushes, counter-terrorism, and crew and hostage-recovery operations.
It also featured underwater mine detection and disposal, rope descent exercises with Super Puma helicopters, and live-fire training with light weapons, sniper shooting, and tactical firing drills.
The exercise aimed to strengthen military cooperation, exchange expertise and enhance combat readiness, the SPA reported.
It also focused on developing capabilities in maritime counter-terrorism, piracy suppression, mine clearance, and countering tactical unmanned aerial systems.
