Latest news with #KAU
The Hindu
5 days ago
- General
- The Hindu
People's convention demands conservation of KAU's model jackfruit farm
A people's protest is gathering momentum against the move to cut down and transfer control of the model organic jackfruit farm of the Kerala Agricultural University (KAU) in Mannuthy to the Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (KVASU), which reportedly plans to convert the land into a fodder cultivation area. This Model Organic Farm (MOF) is unique for conserving over 193 indigenous varieties of jackfruit trees, many over 50 years old. A 'jackfruit paradise,' the farm is spread across 70 acres in the Agriculture Research Station (ARS) under the KAU. It also houses over 100 varieties of mango trees, 200 diverse native tree species, other fruit trees, vegetable plots, and research crops—all cultivated without chemical fertilizers or pesticides since the era of Shaktan Thampuran in 1917. On World Environment Day, a Farm Protection Convention was organised at Mahatma Square, Mannuthy, under the leadership of the Chakkakuttam Farm Protection Committee and local environmental activists. Over 150 people, including environmentalists, local workers, and concerned citizens from various districts, participated in a public rally and symbolic protest. Participants tied ribbons to each jackfruit tree, embraced them, and formed a human chain of protection, followed by an environmental pledge to preserve the farm. Ecological consequence The speakers emphasised the grave ecological, agricultural, and food security consequences of destroying this living gene bank. The MOF plays a critical role in supplying quality, diverse jackfruit saplings to farmers and is an active centre for biodiversity conservation, climate resilience, and value-added agricultural research organisation. Despite KVASU and the government possessing alternative lands for fodder cultivation, this particular intervention threatens to dismantle one of the largest jackfruit biodiversity collections in the world, they alleged. The convention called for an urgent and permanent resolution to this ongoing dispute, which has persisted for years, and urged the government to issue a favourable decision. They also demanded that the employment concerns of the workers currently engaged at the model farm be addressed fairly.
The Star
31-05-2025
- General
- The Star
Feature: For Saudi youth, learning Chinese is a crucial path to cultural understanding
RIYADH, May 31 (Xinhua) -- Under the bright sunlight of Jeddah, red Chinese knots swayed in the breeze, national flags fluttered, and the melodic notes of the guzheng filled the auditorium at King Abdulaziz University (KAU). The air rang with cheerful greetings -- "Nihao!" and "I love China!" -- as Saudi students welcomed visitors in Mandarin. On May 27, the Saudi finals of the "Chinese Bridge" Chinese proficiency competition for foreign college and secondary school students began in this coastal city, coinciding with the 35th anniversary of China-Saudi diplomatic ties and the ongoing China-Saudi Cultural Year. For the first time, the event featured a dedicated middle school division, drawing 15 university and 15 secondary school participants from across the kingdom. "Learning Chinese is a journey of growth, with both sweet and bitter moments," said Meshari Almutairi, a student from the KAU. "Chinese characters looked like paintings when I first started. But I kept going. I believe this 'key' will one day open the door to truly understanding China." Among the most inspiring performances came from Ahmed Alarishi, a visually impaired university student. "I love the Tang and Han dynasties. I learn by listening to documentaries and talking with Chinese friends," he said. Using auditory tools and Pinyin, Ahmed taught himself Mandarin. "It's not that difficult. You just need time and dedication." Alarishi's recital was followed by a performance of Baduanjin, a traditional Chinese fitness routine, which brought the audience to its feet. "Understanding a culture brings you closer to the soul," he said. "Chinese is my window to the world." "Ahmed is one of our most dedicated students. His love for learning drives him to overcome every challenge," said his instructor Zhang Wenyi. The student spent two months preparing for the event, and he aspires to pursue his master's and doctoral studies in China, aiming for a future in academia. The growing interest in Mandarin reflects a wider trend. Since 2023, over 100 Saudi middle schools have introduced Chinese courses. Wang Junbao, a Chinese teacher in Riyadh with teaching experience across Africa, South Asia and Latin America, said Saudi students are increasingly fluent not just in Mandarin, but in expressing their hopes through it. "They're drawn to Chinese culture," he said. "Their curiosity is sincere." Zhang Xinying, director of the Confucius Institute at Prince Sultan University, echoed the sentiment. "In the eyes of many Saudis, Chinese is not just a language -- it's a life skill," she said. "As China-Saudi cooperation deepens, Mandarin is becoming a strategic tool for the next generation." For students like Saba Anwar from Al-Brayan Model School in Jeddah, the motivation is clear. "I hope to work for a Chinese company someday," she said. "I see more Chinese firms building roads, ports and factories here. Learning Chinese will help me find a good job." Quoting a well-known Arab proverb, Wang Qimin, Chinese Consul General in Jeddah, said, "'Seek knowledge, even as far as China,' -- Saudi youth are now living that wisdom, using Chinese as a bridge to build lasting ties."
Arab News
29-04-2025
- Science
- Arab News
Jeddah conference explores future of media under Vision 2030
RIYADH: King Abdulaziz University in Jeddah launched a Digital Communication Conference on Tuesday with the theme 'Communication: Media and Beyond,' under the patronage of Makkah Deputy Gov. Prince Saud bin Mishal bin Abdulaziz. The three-day event convenes more than 140 researchers, policymakers and industry leaders from 56 universities, other institutions and professional organizations from 13 countries, the Saudi Press Agency reported. A highlight was the inaugural session, 'Government Communication in Crises,' led by Dr. Mohammed Al-Abdulaali, assistant minister of health and the ministry's official spokesperson. Drawing on the Ministry of Health's COVID-19 pandemic response, he emphasized the critical role of transparent, timely communication to guide public opinion, counter misinformation, and build societal trust through verified data and audience-tailored messaging. He detailed strategies such as pre-emptive rumor management, multi-platform engagement via press conferences, social media and government apps, and the importance of simplifying technical information for diverse demographics. The conference features 13 sessions, with an exhibition titled 'Journey of Impact' that displays digital communication milestones, advisory meetings, a postgraduate research march and interactive workshops. Topics span cutting-edge trends, including content creation driven by artificial intelligence, user experience design for immersive digital platforms, podcast production techniques, and advanced data analytics for public opinion mapping. Dr. Tareef Al-Aama, the president of KAU, highlighted the university's strategic investments in digital infrastructure and global partnerships to advance sustainable development. He said that KAU initiatives, including smart campus projects and collaborations between industry and academia, empower students to lead in fields critical to Vision 2030, such as AI, cybersecurity and media technology. He noted KAU's role in community-driven projects, including digital literacy campaigns and tech incubators supporting Saudi youth. Ayman Bajnaid, dean of the College of Communication and Media, framed the conference as a transformative platform for redefining media education globally. He added that there is a demand for professionals adept at merging technological agility with ethical responsibility, and that this event bridges theoretical knowledge and practical innovation to support graduates. Strategic partnerships with global tech companies, media outlets, and government bodies underpin KAU's impact initiative, which seeks to cultivate a generation of innovators capable of addressing challenges such as digital disinformation and cybersecurity threats.
Saudi Gazette
06-04-2025
- Science
- Saudi Gazette
KAU to host Digital Communication Conference in Jeddah from April 29 to May 1
Saudi Gazette report JEDDAH — King Abdulaziz University (KAU), through its Faculty of Communication and Media, will host the Digital Communication Conference under the theme "Communication... Media and More" from April 29 to May 1, 2025, at the King Faisal Conference Center in Jeddah. Bringing together 140 researchers from 56 universities across 12 countries, the conference aims to foster collaboration between academic institutions and media professionals, and to explore the rapidly evolving digital communication landscape. KAU's Vice President for Graduate Studies and Scientific Research, Dr. Amin Naaman, stated that the event highlights the university's dedication to advancing communication and media studies in line with global digital transformations and the growing integration of technology in the field. The three-day conference will feature 10 panel discussions covering a wide range of topics, including the future of communication and media education, the role of government communication during crises, artificial intelligence in journalism, the influence of technological innovation on content creation, and the challenges faced by media institutions in the digital age. Sessions will also explore the impact of digital platforms on public opinion, effective communication strategies in a digital-first world, and the ethical dimensions of AI in media.
