Latest news with #KingSaudUniversity
Leaders
24-07-2025
- Automotive
- Leaders
SAMI Boosts Localization of Land Systems Industry
Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI), the Kingdom's premier national defense and security company and a wholly owned subsidiary of the Public Investment Fund, has signed key manufacturing agreements with three leading Turkish defense firms. The signings took place in the presence of Assistant Minister of Defense for Executive Affairs Dr. Khalid bin Hussein Al-Biyari, Governor of the General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI) Eng. Ahmed bin Abdulaziz Al-Ohali, and President of the Turkish Defense Industries Agency Prof. Haluk Görgün. Strategic Agreements The agreements, signed by SAMI's Executive Vice President of Land Systems Eng. Mohammed bin Saud Alhodaib, are part of efforts to localize the land systems sector in Saudi Arabia: Nurol Makina : This agreement focuses on the transfer of technology and local manufacturing of military vehicles. : This agreement focuses on the transfer of technology and local manufacturing of military vehicles. FNSS Defense Systems : This partnership aims to localize production of armored combat vehicles and weapon turrets. : This partnership aims to localize production of armored combat vehicles and weapon turrets. ASELSAN: The agreement covers the transfer of technology and local manufacturing of turret systems, further strengthening combat vehicle capabilities. All technology transfer and manufacturing activities will be conducted at the upcoming SAMI Land Industrial Complex, scheduled to begin operations in Q4 of this year. Additionally, the facility is being developed to global standards and will serve as a center of excellence for producing 4×4, 6×6, and 8×8 armored vehicles and armed turrets. Built to align with Industry 4.0 standards, the complex will incorporate artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things (IoT), and robotics for advanced unmanned operations. Moreover, these intelligent systems will boost efficiency and elevate product quality. Driving Defense Industry Localization Through its Land Systems Division, SAMI is advancing the Kingdom's strategic vision to localize defense manufacturing. By building advanced industrial capabilities and delivering high-quality products and services across the lifecycle, SAMI is helping meet the operational needs of the Kingdom's armed forces while strengthening national defense self-sufficiency. Related Topics : SAMI-AEC Sponsors Best Graduation Project Award at King Saud University King Saud University Unveils 'Agreements' Platform to Enhance Global Competitiveness Saudi Students Clinch Spots at Prestigious US Science & Engineering Fair Short link : Post Views: 19
Arab News
23-07-2025
- Science
- Arab News
From expulsion to AI success — how a Saudi student's journey is inspiring a generation
ALKHOBAR: In June, a student research team at King Saud University quietly presented their breakthrough — a Saudi-built artificial intelligence agent named Mantiq. Mantiq successfully solved 84 out of 120 abstract puzzles and scored a 70 percent accuracy rate on the global Abstraction and Reasoning Corpus benchmark in a challenge widely recognized among leading artificial general intelligence researchers around the world. But behind the results was something just as compelling — a group of young Saudis that included a once-expelled university student who rebuilt his future line by line, code by code. Abdullah Al-Refai, 24, is a software engineering student at Prince Mohammed Bin Fahd University in Dhahran. With no official title, no funding, and no affiliation to a major lab, he represents a growing generation determined to push boundaries in the most advanced frontiers of AI. 'We may not have the same resources as big tech labs, but we have vision and we're proving that brilliance can come from anywhere — even a small research group in Saudi Arabia,' he said. Al-Refai's journey was far from linear; it was full of detours, setbacks and moments of deep personal doubt. First, he enrolled at Dammam Community College, where he excelled. His performance earned him a transfer to King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, one of the top institutions in the Kingdom. But the transition proved overwhelming. Battling depression and struggling to adjust, his grades declined and, following a difficult time, he left. 'Getting expelled broke me. I felt like everything I had worked for was gone. But over time, I realized that failure doesn't define you — how you respond to it does,' said Al-Refai. Determined not to give up, he later enrolled at Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd University, a smaller, private center, and supported himself by working at Jarir Bookstore. As he regained his academic footing, Al-Refai rediscovered his love of technology. His coding journey had started years earlier when he received a Dell PC in sixth grade and began experimenting with Java programming to create modifications for popular video game Minecraft. A turning point came when he started a part-time AI research role at PMU. Soon after he met his mentor, Sulaiman Ureiga, who invited him to join a student-led research group focused on AGI. Unlike traditional AI systems, which rely on massive datasets, AGI aims to mimic human thought, reasoning and learning, and adapt with minimal input. It is a field into which tech giants like OpenAI and DeepMind have poured billions. In Saudi Arabia, Al-Refai and his team are approaching the same goal with minimal resources other than passion, perseverance and belief. Their focus has been the ARC challenge developed by Google researcher François Chollet, which tests a model's ability to solve logic puzzles using abstraction, not memorization. When the team presented the first phase of their research, an AGI-1 prototype that solved 70 percent of the test puzzles within minutes, it was a proud moment. 'Standing there at King Saud University, presenting our agent and (seeing) it solve 70 percent of the ARC-1 tasks, I knew this was bigger than a research demo. It was proof that Saudi youth can build world-class AI,' said Al-Refai. His motivation goes beyond personal achievement, however; he sees his story as a blueprint for others, proof that failure is not final and that Saudi youth can lead global conversations on AI. His team is already working on the next phases of their research, hoping to improve the model's reasoning capabilities and publish in an academic forum. They have also created educational posters, hosted sessions and spoken at local events to spread awareness and encourage others to explore AI. 'My dream is that when people around the world talk about the future of AI, they mention Saudi Arabia — not just for investments, but for real innovation and breakthroughs,' said Al-Refai. All this comes at a time when Saudi Arabia is pouring historic levels of investment into emerging technologies. In May, the Kingdom announced a $600 billion strategy in AI and digital transformation, reinforcing its ambition to become a global innovation hub. While high-level partnerships and summits dominate headlines, stories like Al-Refai's reveal a parallel transformation, one happening from the ground up, driven by students, self-learners and quiet researchers working after hours in labs and dorm rooms. 'If I can come back from academic failure and end up contributing to AGI research, anyone can,' said Al-Refai. 'We just need to believe in ourselves and build with purpose. We are capable of greatness. We always have been, and we always will be.'
Leaders
17-07-2025
- Business
- Leaders
King Saud University Unveils 'Agreements' Platform to Enhance Global Competitiveness
Acting President of King Saud University and Chairman of the Academic Council, Prof. Ali Masmali, officially launched the university's new electronic platform, 'Agreements,' on Wednesday. Developed under the supervision of the Global Engagement Office, the platform is designed to advance institutional excellence, promote a knowledge-based society, and strengthen strategic partnerships both locally and globally. These efforts aim to elevate the university's position on the international stage. The launch coincided with the 11th meeting of the Academic Council for the 1446–1447 academic year, attended by council members. Related Topics : SAMI to Unveil Saudi-Made Defense Innovations at IDEX 2025 in Abu Dhabi Saudi and French companies Sami and Thales are signing an agreement to establish a joint entity Al-Khorayef Discusses Boosting Industrial, Mining Cooperation with Tunisia, Tajikistan Governor of Monsha'at Congratulates Leadership on State Budget Announcement Short link : Post Views: 14 Related Stories
Daily Mirror
17-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Neuroscientist wants you to do this for five mornings in a row
Dr Wendy Suzuki, a professor at New York University, warned that one common habit is not so good for the brain It's easy to assume that the first moments of our days are fairly insignificant, but a neuroscientist has claimed this isn't the case. You may be surprised to hear that the brain is incredibly impressionable in the initial "window" upon waking up. While this can be a peaceful time for some, Dr Wendy Suzuki, a professor at New York University, warned that one habit is ruining it for others. In a recent Instagram video, she said: "You've been starting your day out all wrong, and your brain hates it. If your first move in the morning is checking your phone, your brain misses out on its most powerful window of the day." Right after waking, Dr Suzuki claimed that the brain is generally in its "peak neuroplastic mode", which describes a high ability to adapt and change due to surroundings and experience. Dopamine, known as the 'feel-good chemical', is also replenished during sleep, meaning that levels are naturally higher. But the specialist claimed that anyone turning to a screen first thing may disrupt this process. She continued: "Dopamine and cortisol are naturally high, giving you a boost in motivation, creativity, and focus. "But screens hijack that potential. So, here's your experiment. For the next five mornings, delay screen time by just 20 minutes. Instead, stretch. Write down three things you want to focus on. Or, just sit with your coffee and your thoughts. Watch what happens when you give your brain space to lead." Besides this, it's crucial to note that scrolling before bed may have a detrimental impact on mental health, too. In one study, researchers from King Saud University in Saudi Arabia found that an overwhelming nine out of ten participants indulged in pre-sleep screen time. Although just under half (41.7%) reported 'poor sleep quality', scientists approximated a 'two-fold' risk increase among people using their smartphones for '16 to 30 minutes' at bedtime. The danger escalated further to 'more than three-fold' for those engaged with their devices '31 to 45 minutes' during night-time hours. At the time, the team wrote: "Our findings suggest that employees who use their smartphones more at bedtime have more risk of being poor sleepers. More attention should be drawn to the misuse of smartphones and its effect sleep quality, health and productivity of adults." Crucially, this was a 'cross-sectional study', meaning it didn't definitively establish phone usage as the cause of poor sleep, but rather identified a pattern in results. However, other experts do suggest a causal relationship exists. Rosey Davidson, a sleep consultant at Just Chill Baby Sleep, previously told Gloucestershire Live that our bedtime habits can significantly impact our sleep quality. She said: "Looking at phone content late at night affects our sleep by exposing us to blue light, which suppresses melatonin production, a hormone crucial for sleep. "To improve sleep and mental health, establish a bedtime routine that limits screen time an hour before sleep." Furthermore, Rosey advises against using phones first thing in the morning, as this habit can greatly influence your mood for the day. "When we wake up, our brain transitions from the deeper sleep brain waves (like delta and theta waves) through alpha waves and finally to beta waves," she continued. "This transition makes us more relaxed and suggestible, which is why consuming phone content immediately upon waking can strongly influence our mood and mindset for the day "Upon waking, take a few moments to breathe and set intentions before reaching for your phone. If you can charge it on the other side of the bedroom, or outside of the bedroom this puts an extra barrier in place."
Arab News
16-07-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Global Enrichment Program empowers 146 Mawhiba students with career skills
RIYADH: The Global Enrichment Program at King Saud University in Riyadh offered Mawhiba students a platform to explore their talents, aspirations and potential, helping guide their future career paths. Organized in partnership with the the King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity, or Mawhiba, the program ran from June 27 to July 17. It combined education with enjoyment and aimed to discover and nurture gifted students from Saudi Arabia and beyond. Ali Al-Dalbahi, dean of student affairs at the university and head of the program, said it brought together exceptional students from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Syria, Jordan and Sudan, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday. A total of 146 students took part in eight specialized tracks, including medical and surgical sciences, mechanical engineering, space and missile engineering, economics and investment, cybersecurity, AI and big data, and the application of AI and big data in biomedical sciences. The program also partnered with Oxmedica Global Education, a UK-based organization which provided nine international trainers from Oxford, Cambridge, King's College London, Google and Dubai Business Associates. Each day included an hour of academic English and strategic learning. Beyond academics, students took part in enrichment activities that taught key business skills and supported their personal growth. Abdullah Al-Shahri, enrolled in the AI and big data track, described the program as an inspiring journey filled with valuable learning and meaningful interaction. He praised the instructors' expertise and enthusiasm, expressing gratitude for their strong support throughout the experience. Mishaal Al-Harbi, specializing in AI and big data in biomedical sciences, said his passion for technology and medicine motivated him to join. The program offered a unique opportunity to explore emerging fields, especially the application of AI in healthcare, he added. Al-Harbi found learning Python both enjoyable and intellectually stimulating, which sparked his curiosity to delve deeper, the SPA reported. Kuwaiti student Youssef Al-Khashti described the medical and surgical sciences track as a transformative experience, where he gained valuable knowledge and hands-on practice. He expressed appreciation for the organizers' professionalism and dedication to high-quality learning. Fahd Al-Rabiah, focused on economics, finance and investment, said the program enriched his academic, social and personal development. He called it a unique intellectual and cultural experience that broadened his perspective and strengthened his skills. Under expert guidance, he deepened his understanding of core economic principles and the flow of goods and services within the economy.
