
Prince Sultan University launches first bachelor's program in language and media
RIYADH — Prince Sultan University has announced the launch of its first Bachelor of Arts in Language and Media under the College of Humanities and Sciences, Department of Linguistics and Translation.
The program responds to new demands in the digital and media industries, combining English language studies with modern media technologies, artificial intelligence, and digital communication tools.
It aims to bridge the gap between language and visual communication, preparing students to excel in today's dynamic media landscape both locally and globally.
Key features of the program include comprehensive training in content creation, media production, public speaking, marketing, journalism, digital media, public relations, content analysis, podcasting, and creative copywriting.
Students will receive practical preparation for diverse careers while being guided by a distinguished group of academics within an innovative educational environment.
The Language and Media program offers students the ability to effectively use media tools on digital platforms, develop ethical communication frameworks that incorporate emerging technologies, lead global discussions through culturally sensitive media strategies, and keep pace with the latest changes in media through impactful speeches.
With Saudi Arabia preparing to host major global events such as the 2034 FIFA World Cup, the Kingdom's need for a new generation of media professionals is growing.
The program is designed to equip students with the critical thinking skills and digital expertise necessary to create powerful media messages that reflect Saudi society's identity and aspirations.
Prince Sultan University has invited students passionate about language, media, and technology to join the program and embark on a distinguished career path shaping the future of the media sector in Saudi Arabia and beyond
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Leaders
2 hours ago
- Leaders
Saudi Bank Lending Hits Record $850bn on Corporate, Real Estate Demand
Saudi banks' outstanding loans reached SR 3.2 trillion ($849.7 billion) in June 2025, representing a 15.8 percent increase compared to the same month of 2024, according to the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA). Corporate borrowing was the main driver of expansion, accounting for 76 percent of total growth. Business loans stood at SR 1.8 trillion, while loans to individuals reached SR 1.4 trillion. The retail share, however, slipped from nearly 50 percent in 2024 to about 44 percent this year. Real Estate Leads Business lending surged 22.5 percent year-on-year, with several sectors showing remarkable growth: Real estate: SR 384 billion, nearly 22 percent of corporate loans, up 39 percent YoY. Wholesale and retail trade: SR 213.1 billion (11.9 percent share), rising 8.4 percent YoY. Electricity, gas, and water supply: SR 199.3 billion (11.15 percent share). Manufacturing: SR 192.25 billion (10.8 percent share). Fastest-growing sectors included real estate and transportation/storage (39.9 percent each), health and social work (35.4 percent, SR 26.9 billion), and financial and insurance activities (34 percent, SR 167.5 billion). Vision 2030, Lending Demand The surge in credit highlights banks' central role in funding Vision 2030 projects, including: Giga-projects such as NEOM Infrastructure and transport networks Housing initiatives Healthcare and social services Real estate financing, in particular, reflects rising homeownership goals, urban expansion, and regulatory reforms improving transparency and efficiency. Digital Transformation, Fintech Growth SAMA's digitalization push has accelerated fintech adoption: Electronic payments accounted for 79 percent of retail transactions in 2024, up from 70 percent in 2023. The number of licensed fintech firms rose from 224 in mid-2024 to 261 by year-end, and further to 317 by mid-2025. Of these, 86 companies secured funding worth $4.66 billion in venture capital, according to Tracxn. The government's Financial Sector Development Program aims to expand the fintech base to 525 firms and 18,000 jobs by 2030, cementing Saudi Arabia's position as a regional hub for financial innovation. Record-Breaking Bank Profits The lending boom translated into the strongest earnings in Saudi banking history, with combined Q2 2025 profits exceeding SR 23 billion. Notable results included: Saudi National Bank: SR 6.1 billion profit (+17.3%). Al Rajhi Bank: SR 6.15 billion profit (+31%). Saudi Awwal Bank: SR 2.13 billion profit (+9.5%). Banque Saudi Fransi: SR 1.30 billion profit (+21%). Related Topics : Saudi Banks' Credit Card Loans Reach Record High of $8.07 Billion Lebanese President Aoun to Make Historic Saudi Visit to Rebuild Bilateral Ties Founding Day 2025: How Saudi Currency Developed over Time? Saudi Arabia Fuels 2025 Growth with Economic Diversification: Report Short link : Post Views: 6


Asharq Al-Awsat
3 hours ago
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Riyadh and New Delhi to Promote Roadmap for Economic, Investment Cooperation
India and Saudi Arabia are working diligently to establish a joint roadmap for fostering a dynamic partnership aiming at enhancing economic, investment, and trade cooperation between the two countries. Ambassador of India to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Dr. Suhel Ajaz Khan, said in an interview with Asharq Al Awsat on Monday that Saudi Arabia is one of India's most trusted and valued strategic partners. He said the ties between the two countries are 'rooted in a rich tapestry of civilizational, cultural, and commercial connections that date back centuries. 'In recent years, the relationship has grown exponentially, evolving into a robust Strategic Partnership that spans key sectors — politics, defense, security, trade, investment, energy, technology, health, education, and culture'. He pointed to the 'landmark State Visit of the Honorable Prime Minister to the Kingdom in April 2025 was a true reflection of this deepening bond. The Prime Minister of India and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia had highly productive engagements in Jeddah, resulting in key outcomes — including the agreement on establishment of two India-Saudi joint venture refineries in India, and MoUs in Health, Postal cooperation, Space cooperation and Sports (anti-doping)'. 'The second leaders meeting of the India-Saudi Arabia Strategic Partnership Council (SPC) was also co-chaired by the two leaders during this visit. The Council reviewed the work of the various committees, subcommittees and working groups under the SPC, which encompass political, defense, security, trade, investment, energy, technology, agriculture, culture and people-to-people ties. The discussions were followed by signing of the minutes by the two leaders. To reflect the deepening of the strategic partnership over the past few years the Council decided to create two new ministerial committees under the SPC; one on Defense Cooperation and another on Tourism and Cultural Cooperation'. The Ambassador went on to say that 'India and Saudi Arabia are not only consolidating a dynamic partnership but also charting a bold vision for the future. Together, we are poised to play a pivotal role in shaping peace, progress, and prosperity at both regional and global levels'. On the most important areas of economic, investment, and trade cooperation between the two countries, he said: 'As the fastest-growing G-20 economies, India and Saudi Arabia are natural economic partners. Our partnership is vital not just for our own prosperity, but also for the resilience and stability of the global economy, particularly at a time of global uncertainty. 'Trade and investment form the economic backbone of our relationship,' he stated, 'both countries have built strong institutional frameworks including a Ministerial Committee on Trade, Economy, Investment, and Technology, and a High-Level Task Force on Investment co-chaired by HRH the Saudi Energy Minister and India's Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister. Our economic visions — Vision 2030 of Saudi Arabia and India's Viksit Bharat 2047 — complement each other, creating vast synergies for growth'. On the volume of trade exchange and its growth rate, the Indian Ambassador stated: 'India-Saudi Arabia trade has witnessed impressive growth in recent years. In FY 2024–25, bilateral trade touched approximately USD 42 billion. India is now Saudi Arabia's second-largest trading partner, while the Kingdom ranks fifth for India. He went on to say: 'Trade has diversified significantly. India exports engineering goods, rice, chemicals, vehicles, textiles, food products, and gems & jewelry to the Kingdom. On the other hand, we import crude oil, LPG, fertilizers, plastics, and chemicals from Saudi Arabia. There is a strong momentum to further expand trade — especially in promising sectors like pharmaceuticals, processed food, advanced manufacturing, gems and jewelry, and high-value engineering goods. 'A prospective Free Trade Agreement between India and the GCC would be a game-changer — unlocking even greater potential for trade and investment'. He noted that 'India's private sector has embraced Saudi Arabia as a hub of opportunity. Indian businesses are actively exploring the Saudi market, especially in light of the transformational opportunities offered under Vision 2030. The number of licensed Indian companies in the Kingdom surged from 400 in 2019 to over 2,900 by 2023, with a large quantum of investments. Many Indian companies have shifted their regional headquarters to Saudi Arabia and a number of them are participating in Iktiva program of Aramco. 'Indian companies are contributing significantly to mega and giga projects under Vision 2030 — spanning civil infrastructure, energy, power transmission, oil & gas, renewable energy, and more. Our technology firms are also playing a central role in the digital transformation of Saudi Arabia. There is increasing interest from Indian businesses in healthcare, pharmaceuticals, hospitality, logistics, mining, minerals, MSMEs, and startups — all sectors vital to both economies' future. 'This is truly a two-way street. Saudi companies too have vast opportunities to invest in India's transformation into a developed economy — especially in infrastructure, logistics, renewable energy, health, and utilities. Saudi Arabia has committed to investing $100 billion in India. The growing corporate synergy between our two countries will be a cornerstone of the bilateral partnership going forward'. On the latest developments in the India–Saudi Arabia electricity interconnection project, Dr. Khan said that 'Energy has long been a pillar of India–Saudi Arabia relations. As India powers ahead toward becoming a developed economy by 2047, our energy needs will grow — and Saudi Arabia remains a reliable and strategic partner in meeting them. But the future is green. India has set an ambitious target of 500 GW of renewable energy by 2030, and we're actively collaborating with Saudi Arabia on clean and sustainable energy — including solar, wind, and hydrogen. 'One exciting area of cooperation is electrical grid interconnectivity. An MoU was signed in 2023 on Electrical Interconnections, Green Hydrogen, and Supply Chains, during MENA Climate Week. We're jointly exploring the technical and commercial viability of connecting our power grids. This initiative also complements the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC) launched in 2023, which envisions a more integrated, sustainable, and secure regional energy network. As we advance, energy connectivity will become a major lever of strategic alignment between our two nations', he concluded.


Leaders
4 hours ago
- Leaders
SFDA, FAO to Host 'Hack4safeFood' Hackathon to Advance Food Safety
The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA), in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), will host Hack4safeFood , a regional technology and policy hackathon, at SFDA headquarters in Riyadh on September 9–10, 2025. According to a press release, the hackathon aims to foster innovation and develop advanced technical and policy solutions to tackle pressing food safety challenges in the Near East and North Africa (NENA) region. Key focus areas include strengthening food supply chain traceability, enhancing early warning and rapid response systems for risk monitoring, and minimizing food loss and waste. Winners of the competition will gain access to valuable opportunities, including a six-month incubation program and the chance to present their ideas at FAO's Science and Innovation Forum in Rome this October. Hack4safeFood will serve as a collaborative platform where researchers, innovators, and policymakers can exchange ideas, share expertise, and discuss best practices in food safety. The event highlights the ongoing partnership between SFDA and FAO, underscoring their shared commitment to leveraging data and artificial intelligence to improve food systems at both local and regional levels. Related Topics : SFDA Reports Record 82% Surge in Licensed Factories, Warehouses in 2024 Is wheat harmful to the intestine? SFDA clarifies the truth New Corona vaccines to arrive at the Kingdom: SFDA SFDA: National Biotechnology Strategy Highlights Saudi Leadership in Medical Innovation Short link : Post Views: 7