Latest news with #Al-Benyan
Saudi Gazette
7 days ago
- Science
- Saudi Gazette
Saudi Arabia advances education reform with AI curricula, teacher training, and global partnerships
Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — Saudi Arabia's Education Minister Yousef Al-Benyan on Wednesday outlined major progress in education reforms, including the integration of artificial intelligence into curricula, expansion of gifted programs, and the restructuring of administrative systems to boost school efficiency. Speaking at a government press conference in Riyadh, Al-Benyan said the National Curriculum Center had developed 27 digital courses, converted 19 into interactive books, and reviewed 50 more, while updating over 6,700 digital learning resources. The reforms, he said, are designed to create a globally competitive generation, with efforts targeting 19 strategic objectives that include modernizing curricula, training teachers, embedding AI, and expanding technical training. The ministry has consolidated educational administrations from 46 to 16, and fully outsourced operations, maintenance, and environmental quality management to Tatweer Educational Transportation Services Co., enabling educators to focus on teaching. New initiatives also aim to strengthen school-family partnerships and instill values such as national identity, commitment, and tolerance among students. On infrastructure, the minister said 75 new school projects were launched, more than 15,000 buildings underwent maintenance, and 1,400 facilities were renovated. Early childhood enrollment among Saudi children has reached over 36%, while the number of identified gifted students has risen to more than 28,000. Specialized schools for gifted students, developed with the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority and Tuwaiq Academy, are set to expand to five more regions next year. The ministry has also introduced AI curricula across all grades and a cybersecurity curriculum for high school students. Teachers and educational leaders received more than 5,200 training opportunities, including international programs such as professional master's degrees. Efforts to boost language skills include sending 100 teachers to study Chinese in China and expanding Chinese language teaching to more than 140 public middle schools. Al-Benyan said Saudi universities continue to climb global rankings, with 20 institutions now listed in the QS World University Rankings 2025 and three universities in the world's top 200. Since 2022, 3,388 Saudis have been sent to the world's top 30 universities under the King Salman Scholarship Program. In support of private sector engagement, the ministry launched the 'Madaris' platform, offering over 500 investment opportunities worth more than SR50 billion over the next five years.
Arab News
13-04-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Human capability key to navigating global shifts, says Saudi education minister
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia's education minister called for a fundamental rethink of how nations develop human capital, warning that demographic shifts, technology, and global volatility demand long-term investment in skills and values. Yousef Al-Benyan, who also chairs the executive committee of the Human Capability Development Program, opened the Human Capabilities Initiative in Riyadh by stressing the central role of human development in national resilience and growth. 'Our world is evolving faster than ever, driven by technological leaps, environmental sustainability, challenges, and also demographic shifts and global uncertainties,' Al-Benyan said. 'Yet, amidst these complexities, one important constant remains: human capability, the boundless potential of our people,' he added. He underscored the need for lifelong learning and a transformative approach to education that prioritizes future-ready skills, curriculum reform, and teacher development. 'We need to define the future roles of teachers — whether they remain a delivery model or transition into facilitators,' he said. Al-Benyan also underscored that building human capability is essential to fostering skills, knowledge, and values. This, he suggested, empowers individuals to lead productive lives and equips future generations to meet challenges ahead. Global scouts initiative Following Al-Benyan's remarks, Saudi Arabia took a major step toward youth empowerment and global collaboration by signing an agreement with the Saudi Arabian Scouts Association, the World Organization of the Scout Movement, and the World Scout Foundation. Under the agreement, the Kingdom will allocate $50 million over 10 years to support the Messengers of Peace initiative, a global program that enables youth to lead community-based peacebuilding and sustainable development projects worldwide. At the national level, Saudi Arabia has committed to further strengthening its education system through the National Curriculum Center, a research-driven institution dedicated to the highest quality standards in shaping the future of learning. The center collaborates with key government partners, including the Ministries of Sports, Education, Economy and Planning, and Culture, to equip teachers with the tools needed to inspire students and prepare them for global competition. Policymakers discuss education On the opening day of the Human Capabilities Initiative, education ministers and policymakers discussed how technology and curriculum reform can shape the future of education. During a panel discussion titled 'Activating and Expanding Human Potential from Preparation to #BeyondReadiness,' Al-Benyan stressed the critical role of human development in achieving national ambitions. 'We want to have an ambitious nation and a thriving economy. If you want to achieve this destination, the only way is to focus on human development,' he said. Al-Benyan emphasized the importance of current and future generations and called for an evolving education system. 'Our vision is not only to meet market needs but also to make sure that our education system, and more importantly, the higher education system, creates a new industry that can create new jobs,' he added. The minister also stressed the need for curriculum reforms, stating: 'We need to start also from changing the curriculum and make sure it has the proper focus on developing the skills requirement.' He also underscored the need for regular performance assessments in education, diversity, leadership, and the evolving role of teachers. 'We need to define the future roles of teachers — whether they remain as a delivery model or transition into facilitators,' he said. UAE's AI strategy Sarah Bint Yousef Al-Amiri, UAE's minister of education, shared insights on integrating artificial intelligence into education. 'We have invested quite extensively well over a decade in EdTech (education technology). Our EdTech has integrated AI capabilities to provide a personalized learning experience within the classroom,' she said. Al-Amiri urged policymakers to rethink education strategies around AI. 'Our paradigm shift is not to think of AI as another EdTech tool but to evolve our education policy development centered around the human,' she explained. She also advocated for lifelong learning, stating: 'We need to look at the education process as continuous, and not disruptive or disconnected.' Maldives' tech solutions Maldives' Minister of State for Higher Education Ahmed Shafeeu detailed the challenges of delivering education across dispersed islands. 'We have about 200 islands where people live, while we have over 1,200 islands altogether. This creates many challenges,' he said. The Maldives' early adoption of technology was crucial during the pandemic. 'In 2017, we made sure that we provided one tablet to every student in the Maldives, and it came as a blessing when COVID hit us,' Shafeeu noted. He also highlighted remote teaching solutions to address teacher shortages, with technology helping bridge gaps in subjects like physics and biology. The minister emphasized sustainability in education, saying: 'What we do within the curriculum is help students understand sustainable lifestyles.' The discussions at the Human Capabilities Initiative underscore the need for adaptive, technology-driven, and lifelong learning approaches to education. These strategies ensure that nations can navigate future challenges while unlocking the full potential of their people.
Leaders
25-02-2025
- Business
- Leaders
Min. of Education: Saudi Arabia Aims to Rank Among Top 20 Global Systems
Minister of Education Yousef Al-Benyan reaffirmed Saudi Arabia's commitment to advancing its education system, with unprecedented government investments aligned with national growth and Vision 2030 objectives. The goal is to position the Kingdom among the world's top 20 education systems. Speaking at the inaugural Invest in Education Forum 2025, held under the theme 'Invest for Impact… Empowerment for Education Transformation,' Al-Benyan emphasized the critical role of the private sector in driving educational progress. Currently contributing 17% to the sector, private investment is expected to rise to 25%, supported by government-led initiatives designed to foster an attractive investment environment. Additionally, the Ministry of Education continues to facilitate private sector engagement to ensure sustainable educational projects across all regions of the Kingdom. To enhance education quality, Al-Benyan highlighted key initiatives, including the Madares platform, designed for school evaluation, and the NAFS Program, aimed at assessing national tests and improving education standards. He also reiterated the ministry's commitment to delegating tasks to specialized bodies to maintain quality and competitiveness. Held at the ministry's headquarters in Riyadh on February 25–26, the forum featured the signing of multiple agreements and memoranda of understanding between the Ministry of Education and key stakeholders. As a platform for education sector investors, the event explored investment opportunities, strategic directions, and public-private partnerships to drive sustainable development and realize Vision 2030's educational objectives. Related Topics : Heriot-Watt University Dubai Receives Accreditation from UAE's Higher Education Ministry Back-to-School Boom: Saudi Education Spending Skyrockets 91.5% Higher Education: Saudi Arabia's Emergence as Global Destination Saudi Arabia Unveils Groundbreaking AI Guidelines to Revolutionize Education Short link : Post Views: 16
Argaam
25-02-2025
- Business
- Argaam
Private sector participation in education at 17%: Minister
Saudi Arabia aims to increase the private sector's participation in the education industry from 17% currently to 30%, aligning with Vision 2030, said Minister of Education, Yousef Al-Benyan, on the sidelines of the Education Investment Forum 2025. The government's spending on the education system exceeds SAR 200 billion annually, Al-Benyan added. 'Vision 2030 focuses on fostering integration between the public, private, and the non-profit sectors, an objective that the ministry is actively working on.'
