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Rakyat Post
21-05-2025
- Automotive
- Rakyat Post
Humble Car, Expensive Taste: Toyota Vios Uncle's RON95 Meltdown
Subscribe to our FREE A Toyota Vios owner in Malaysia is making waves online after throwing a fit over what he considers a fuel faux pas. The drama unfolded when his nephew borrowed his car and committed what the owner saw as an unforgivable sin: filling up the tank with RON95 instead of his preferred RON97 fuel. His solution? Driving until the tank runs completely empty before refilling with his precious RON97. He expressed hope that nothing would happen to his car because 'kita ni jenis jaga kereta'. Posted in the ' Weird Flex, Weirder Reality: Malaysia's Car Culture Gone Extra In a classic case of 'weird flex but okay,' the owner's premium fuel fixation has made him the target of merciless mockery. Social media users couldn't resist pointing out that even BMW owners are content with RON95, with one commenter quipping, 'Mate, even if you put rocket fuel in it, it's still a Vios.' The incident has become a perfect metaphor for Malaysia's unique brand of car culture, where vehicle ownership often crosses into the territory of personal identity. While the Vios owner's reaction might seem excessive, it reflects a broader phenomenon of car owners treating their vehicles like precious babies, regardless of make or model. Setakat baru skali full tank ron 95 dah kelam kabut "harap2 la tak jadi apa2".. dah mcm keta merc padahal vios spec E ja pun.. — Saf (@qushairysafuan) It's Like Buying Evian Water To Wash Your Car For those wondering what the fuss is all about, RON (Research Octane Number) ratings simply indicate how well the fuel resists ' RON95 currently costs RM2.05 per litre, RON97 at RM3.07 per litre, and RON100 (available at selected stations) at around RM5 per litre. Most modern cars, including luxury vehicles, are perfectly happy running on RON95. The higher octane RON97 or RON100 only makes a real difference in high-performance vehicles with engines specifically designed for premium fuel. For a standard Vios, which starts at RM89,600 in Malaysia, the extra ringgit spent on premium fuel is essentially pouring money down the drain. Sure, it's more expensive, but your car won't know the difference. READ MORE : READ MORE : Share your thoughts with us via TRP's . Get more stories like this to your inbox by signing up for our newsletter.
Time of India
02-05-2025
- Climate
- Time of India
Moisture surge, wind convergence triggered Friday downpour in north India: Experts
The torrential rain that lashed parts of north India, including the national capital, early Friday, was caused by moisture and wind convergence over the region, fed by both the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal, the weather department said. It was caused by a mix of weather systems that created conditions for thunderstorms, the India Meteorological Department said. #Pahalgam Terrorist Attack Pakistan reopens Attari-Wagah border to allow stranded citizens in India to return Key Jammu & Kashmir reservoirs' flushing to begin soon Air India sees Pakistan airspace ban costing it $600 mn over 12 months According to data from the IMD, Safdarjung, Delhi's main weather station, recorded 77 mm of rain in just six hours, between 2.30 am and 8.30 am. Other areas also saw significant rainfall, with Lodhi Road receiving 78 mm, Pragati Maidan and Pitampura 71.5 mm each, Ridge 59.2 mm, Pusa 50 mm, Palam 45.6 mm, Najafgarh 40 mm, Ayanagar 39.4 mm, and Jaffarpur 67.5 mm. GIF89a����!�,D; 5 5 Next Stay Playback speed 1x Normal Back 0.25x 0.5x 1x Normal 1.5x 2x 5 5 / Skip Ads by An upper air cyclonic circulation over southwest Rajasthan and another over northeast Rajasthan and adjoining northwest Madhya Pradesh contributed to the precipitation. The rain was accompanied by southeasterly winds reaching up to 50 kmph. Live Events "Moisture and wind convergence over the region -- fed by both the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal -- along with persistently favourable synoptic conditions in the lower and middle tropospheric levels, triggered the heavy rain," the IMD said in a statement. Mahesh Palawat from Skymet, a private weather forecasting agency, explained that as daytime temperatures crossed 40 degrees Celsius in the past few days, moisture levels rose sharply, leading to the formation of thunderclouds -- a common pre-monsoon feature. "These phenomena generally occur during the early morning or late evening hours," he said. Similar weather conditions may continue intermittently for about a week, Palwat added. As a result, temperature is expected to remain below 40 degrees Celsius in Delhi during this period, with no heatwave likely. A storm hit the capital early Friday, with wind speeds reaching up to 80 kmph, as recorded at Safdarjung at 5.10 am. "This was followed by a maximum speed of 78 kmph at Pragati Maidan at 5.30 am, and 74 kmph at Palam at 5.19 am," said an IMD official. The storm brought a sharp drop in temperatures across the city. An IMD scientist said temperatures fell by 7 to 10 degrees Celsius at most places after the storm. "For instance, at Lodhi Road, the temperature dropped from 28.2 degrees Celsius at 5.15 am to 20.7 degrees Celsius at 5.30 am. "Similarly, at Jaffarpur, it fell from 28.4 degrees Celsius to 19 degrees Celsius," said scientist R K Jenamani. The last time Delhi recorded a heavier 24-hour spell of rain in May was in 2021, when 119.3 mm of precipitation was recorded on May 20 due to the remnants of Cyclone Tauktae. Since January 1, Safdarjung had recorded only 10.2 mm of rainfall, making Friday's spell an extreme weather event. With the Friday spell, the city has already surpassed the average monthly rainfall for May, which stands at 30.7 mm. The weather office has predicted a cloudy sky with the possibility of rain or thunderstorms in the national capital over the coming week.
Al Jazeera
19-03-2025
- Health
- Al Jazeera
‘I nearly died': Taba, the tobacco drug Gambian women share in secret
Banjul, The Gambia – On a humid March afternoon on the outskirts of Banjul, a woman known only as Saf* carries a basket of plants from her garden. Moving with urgency to avoid prying eyes, she makes her way to a hidden location, where the air is thick with the earthy scent of raw, unprocessed tobacco leaves waiting to be turned into the popular drug taba. Suddenly, her phone rings. A customer. She smiles knowingly. 'She's one of my favourites because she keeps coming back,' says Saf, whose name is a code word that means 'sweet' in Wolof. Secrecy is important, says the 68-year-old taba seller, who for decades has made and discretely sold the substance to women. Taba, a local Mandinka word for powdered tobacco, has been consumed in The Gambia for generations, usually through smoking, snuffing and chewing. But in recent years, taba, modified by adding other substances to the tobacco powder, is being used for different purposes. Sellers like Saf take regular taba and mix it with potent chemicals to enhance its intoxicating effect. Many women then use it intravaginally, believing it enhances sexual pleasure. Meanwhile, others, including some traditional healers, insist its intravaginal use has medicinal properties – from helping treat genital infections and headaches to conditions like epilepsy, hypertension and infertility – though these remain medically unproven. Though taba is not illegal, health authorities, doctors and activists in The Gambia warn of its dangers and caution against its use. But many women continue to seek it out. For Fatmata*, 36, 'taba works wonders.' Married for a decade, Fatmata's husband left for Europe just three years into their marriage. Struggling with his absence, a close friend introduced her to taba. 'I don't want to have extra-marital affairs for religious reasons, so I resort to taba,' she says, shyly. 'Worst mistake of my life' For others, the effects have been less favourable. The first time Rose*, 28, used taba after a friend suggested she try it, she felt an overwhelming sense of dizziness and nausea before violently vomiting. She continued trying, but the third time she used it, she says she nearly lost her life. 'I remember the burning sensation, the excruciating pain, and how my body reacted as if my insides were on fire,' she says. 'I could barely breathe and thought I was going to die.' The pain was intense but brief, she says. Afterwards, she fell asleep, and when she woke up, there was an uncomfortable ache between her legs. But she did not seek medical help, fearing it would expose her as a taba user at a time was the government was warning against it. After her ordeal, she pledged never to touch taba again. 'It is dangerous, and women need to stop inserting it into their genitals before it's too late,' she warns. Taraba*, 28, and Isatu*, 42, began using taba to address health concerns. 'Taba damaged my system,' says Taraba, who initially took it in an attempt to cure gonorrhoea. 'At first, I only used it for that purpose. But a month later, I began inserting it into my vagina for pleasure. That was the worst mistake of my life.' What followed was excruciating. 'It felt like fire burning inside me, and my whole body became [temporarily] paralysed.' Unlike Rose, whose pain was brief, hers lasted for an entire week. Isatu also first used it as a supposed remedy for gonorrhoea. 'I first heard about this powder three years ago from a colleague. She told me she had used it in her vagina to relieve a bad headache, and it worked.' But when Isatu tried it, 'I was bleeding profusely; I nearly died.' Neither Taraba nor Isatu sought medical help, choosing instead to endure their pain in silence. Isatu says she remains traumatised from the experience. Regular user Fatmata, however, insists that taba has no harmful effects on her health and claims most women use it with no complaints. Taba seller Saf agrees, saying most of her customers have been buying from her for years. 'If it was harmful, they wouldn't keep coming back.' 'Intravaginal taba is harmful' Little is known about the health consequences of intravaginal taba, according to the peer-reviewed journal, Tobacco Control. But it is 'likely to have negative health effects' based on what is known about the use of other smokeless tobacco, said the authors of a 2023 paper on taba. 'Intravaginal taba is harmful,' insists Dr Karamo Suwareh, a gynaecologist at Kanifing General Hospital, the second largest public hospital in the country. 'It causes irritation, infections, burning sensations, itching, foul-smelling discharge, and bleeding during intercourse,' he tells Al Jazeera. Dr Suwareh warns that taba contains carcinogens, and says research is needed to see whether it could lead to cervical and vaginal cancers. During pregnancy, the nicotine and other unknown substances may increase the risks of preterm labour, foetal growth restriction, and stillbirth. 'Taba disrupts vaginal pH, making women more vulnerable to STIs like gonorrhoea, syphilis, and HIV. It damages tissue instead of healing it.' Gambia's Ministry of Health has been vocal about the potential health risks of using taba intravaginally, cautioning that it could pose an increased risk of cancer or life-threatening complications during childbirth. Some women use it in an attempt to ease labour pains, but medical experts warn that it can cause severe harm instead. The ministry has used social media to educate the public on the risks, and in a video that went viral, Minister of Health Lamin Samateh was seen addressing a gathering in a local language to warn about its harmful effects. 'Taba is dangerous, and women should reject it,' said Minister Samateh in the video that first emerged online in 2022. Women's rights organisations have also been raising awareness about the harmful effects of taba. 'No woman should feel pressured into harmful practices like taba,' says Sariba Badjie, a programme officer at NGO The Girls' Agenda. 'Our goal is to provide women with the knowledge and support they need to make decisions about their health without fear or stigma.' Mbassey Manneh, a human rights activist, has also been outspoken about its use. But she notes how rooted the use of taba is among communities of the Gambian women. 'If you go to naming ceremonies and social events, you will find women selling taba among themselves,' she tells Al Jazeera. 'Many of these women are not sexually satisfied by their husbands, so they turn to taba as an alternative.' Some women even speak in code when referring to taba. 'They call it 'simang kolla' a-Mandinka for 'after dinner',' Manneh says. A secret recipe Though no law currently bans intravaginal taba, its taboo nature prompts the secrecy surrounding it – and both sellers and buyers operate in the shadows. Taba is commonly sold secretly in markets and within circles of older women, but it is not available in shops. For Saf, who runs a makeshift business on the outskirts of Banjul near patches of farmland and grazing cattle, discretion is key. 'I sell taba for a living – it makes me happy when people come to me because of a simple recommendation,' she says with a broad smile, taking pride in the fact that word of mouth brings her new customers. Saf's location is known only to trusted customers, and in the community where she lives and works, she is known as a gardener who sells regular plants in the marketplace. 'My family isn't entirely against me selling it [taba], but they don't want me to do it publicly, for fear of being arrested or exposed,' she reveals. At her shop, the taba is typically wrapped in paper or plastic. For 5 dalasi (7 cents), her customers get a small pinch – just enough for a single use. The 15-dalasi (21-cent) portion is slightly larger but still modest. Heavy users or those buying in bulk may spend up to 500 dalasi ($7) at once. A larger quantity, such as what bulk buyers get, can fill a tea mug. Saf says she sources her raw tobacco leaves from a supplier in Guinea-Bissau and processes them herself, mixing them with other substances to make them 'more powerful'. Some claim intoxicants such as heroin are added. 'It's a secret recipe,' she tells Al Jazeera when asked what's in her mix. 'I never share it with anyone.' The taba supply chain extends beyond The Gambia. Tobacco traders like Saikou Camara, who sources his stock from Guinea-Bissau and Casamance, both to the south of the country, insists that taba products should not be used in the wrong way. 'I've heard that women are using it for other reasons, but that's not what it's meant for,' he says. 'I don't believe it cures back pain or enhances sexual pleasure. Taba is meant for inhaling, nothing else.' The sellers, though, believe in the unproven health benefits of their product. At one of the busiest markets in Banjul, a 75-year-old seller insists on taba's medicinal properties, claiming it heals wounds, relieves back pain and cures headaches. At her makeshift stall, the woman who has been in the trade for decades works openly but also in secret. To the unsuspecting eye, she is just another vendor selling cooking ingredients. But tucked away in a clay jar – one that looks abandoned at first glance – is the taba. Each transaction is swift and calculated; she scans the surroundings before carefully opening the jar, retrieving the product, and slipping it into the hands of a waiting customer. When asked if she takes the jar home, she shook her head. 'I leave the jar, but I go home with the taba.' Women travel from across the country to buy taba from her, she says. At her stall, a customer from a rural village buys taba worth 2,000 dalasi ($28). The woman, in her 50s or 60s, is a seller too – she purchases it in bulk, repackages it, and resells it in her village at a higher price. 'She'll be back next month for more,' the older seller says. Government clampdown? According to a 2023 study published in the Tropical Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 63.2 percent of the Gambian women sampled were current users of intravaginal tobacco powder. The study revealed that women over 40 were 3.2 times more likely to use taba than younger women, while women in rural areas were 2.2 times more likely to use it compared with urban dwellers. Despite some research into taba use, Dr Mustapha Bittaye, the chief medical director of Gambia's only teaching hospital, says data on the health effects remains limited. 'We lack sufficient evidence to draw a definitive conclusion,' he tells Al Jazeera. 'As a ministry [of health], we will conduct a more thorough and objective study to properly assess the scale of the issue.' While general tobacco use is regulated in the country – smoking, for example, is prohibited indoors and in public places – the use of tobacco powder including taba remains unregulated. Dr Bittaye suggests that a starting point in addressing the taba issue may be the Tobacco Control Act, which legislates how the substance is used and sold, while the Ministry of Health works with NGOs to educate the Gambian women about the dangers of taba. But while the authorities deliberate, women continue to demand it and sellers are happy to supply. 'I make a lot of money from selling taba,' Saf says. 'The government and other people saying it's harmful won't give me what I earn from this business.' And what if the government does clamp down? 'We will just find new ways to keep our trade alive,' the seller says. 'Women need it. They'll always find a way to come to us, and we'll always find a way to help them.'
Al Jazeera
19-03-2025
- Health
- Al Jazeera
‘I nearly died': Taba, the tobacco drug the Gambian women share in secret
Banjul, The Gambia – On a humid March afternoon on the outskirts of Banjul, a woman known only as Saf* carries a basket of plants from her garden. Moving with urgency to avoid prying eyes, she makes her way to a hidden location, where the air is thick with the earthy scent of raw, unprocessed tobacco leaves waiting to be turned into the popular drug taba. Suddenly, her phone rings. A customer. She smiles knowingly. 'She's one of my favourites because she keeps coming back,' says Saf, whose name is a code word that means 'sweet' in Wolof. Secrecy is important, says the 68-year-old taba seller, who for decades has made and discretely sold the substance to women. Taba, a local Mandinka word for powdered tobacco, has been consumed in The Gambia for generations, usually through smoking, snuffing and chewing. But in recent years, taba, modified by adding other substances to the tobacco powder, is being used for different purposes. Sellers like Saf take regular taba and mix it with potent chemicals to enhance its intoxicating effect. Many women then use it intravaginally, believing it enhances sexual pleasure. Meanwhile, others, including some traditional healers, insist its intravaginal use has medicinal properties – from helping treat genital infections and headaches to conditions like epilepsy, hypertension and infertility – though these remain medically unproven. Though taba is not illegal, health authorities, doctors and activists in The Gambia warn of its dangers and caution against its use. But many women continue to seek it out. For Fatmata*, 36, 'taba works wonders.' Married for a decade, Fatmata's husband left for Europe just three years into their marriage. Struggling with his absence, a close friend introduced her to taba. 'I don't want to have extra-marital affairs for religious reasons, so I resort to taba,' she says, shyly. 'Worst mistake of my life' For others, the effects have been less favourable. The first time Rose*, 28, used taba after a friend suggested she try it, she felt an overwhelming sense of dizziness and nausea before violently vomiting. She continued trying, but the third time she used it, she says she nearly lost her life. 'I remember the burning sensation, the excruciating pain, and how my body reacted as if my insides were on fire,' she says. 'I could barely breathe and thought I was going to die.' The pain was intense but brief, she says. Afterwards, she fell asleep, and when she woke up, there was an uncomfortable ache between her legs. But she did not seek medical help, fearing it would expose her as a taba user at a time was the government was warning against it. After her ordeal, she pledged never to touch taba again. 'It is dangerous, and women need to stop inserting it into their genitals before it's too late,' she warns. Taraba*, 28, and Isatu*, 42, began using taba to address health concerns. 'Taba damaged my system,' says Taraba, who initially took it in an attempt to cure gonorrhoea. 'At first, I only used it for that purpose. But a month later, I began inserting it into my vagina for pleasure. That was the worst mistake of my life.' What followed was excruciating. 'It felt like fire burning inside me, and my whole body became [temporarily] paralysed.' Unlike Rose, whose pain was brief, hers lasted for an entire week. Isatu also first used it as a supposed remedy for gonorrhoea. 'I first heard about this powder three years ago from a colleague. She told me she had used it in her vagina to relieve a bad headache, and it worked.' But when Isatu tried it, 'I was bleeding profusely; I nearly died.' Neither Taraba nor Isatu sought medical help, choosing instead to endure their pain in silence. Isatu says she remains traumatised from the experience. Regular user Fatmata, however, insists that taba has no harmful effects on her health and claims most women use it with no complaints. Taba seller Saf agrees, saying most of her customers have been buying from her for years. 'If it was harmful, they wouldn't keep coming back.' 'Intravaginal taba is harmful' Little is known about the health consequences of intravaginal taba, according to the peer-reviewed journal, Tobacco Control. But it is 'likely to have negative health effects' based on what is known about the use of other smokeless tobacco, said the authors of a 2023 paper on taba. 'Intravaginal taba is harmful,' insists Dr Karamo Suwareh, a gynaecologist at Kanifing General Hospital, the second largest public hospital in the country. 'It causes irritation, infections, burning sensations, itching, foul-smelling discharge, and bleeding during intercourse,' he tells Al Jazeera. Dr Suwareh warns that taba contains carcinogens, and says research is needed to see whether it could lead to cervical and vaginal cancers. During pregnancy, the nicotine and other unknown substances may increase the risks of preterm labour, foetal growth restriction, and stillbirth. 'Taba disrupts vaginal pH, making women more vulnerable to STIs like gonorrhoea, syphilis, and HIV. It damages tissue instead of healing it.' Gambia's Ministry of Health has been vocal about the potential health risks of using taba intravaginally, cautioning that it could pose an increased risk of cancer or life-threatening complications during childbirth. Some women use it in an attempt to ease labour pains, but medical experts warn that it can cause severe harm instead. The ministry has used social media to educate the public on the risks, and in a video that went viral, Minister of Health Lamin Samateh was seen addressing a gathering in a local language to warn about its harmful effects. 'Taba is dangerous, and women should reject it,' said Minister Samateh in the video that first emerged online in 2022. Women's rights organisations have also been raising awareness about the harmful effects of taba. 'No woman should feel pressured into harmful practices like taba,' says Sariba Badjie, a programme officer at NGO The Girls' Agenda. 'Our goal is to provide women with the knowledge and support they need to make decisions about their health without fear or stigma.' Mbassey Manneh, a human rights activist, has also been outspoken about its use. But she notes how rooted the use of taba is among communities of the Gambian women. 'If you go to naming ceremonies and social events, you will find women selling taba among themselves,' she tells Al Jazeera. 'Many of these women are not sexually satisfied by their husbands, so they turn to taba as an alternative.' Some women even speak in code when referring to taba. 'They call it 'simang kolla' a-Mandinka for 'after dinner',' Manneh says. A secret recipe Though no law currently bans intravaginal taba, its taboo nature prompts the secrecy surrounding it – and both sellers and buyers operate in the shadows. Taba is commonly sold secretly in markets and within circles of older women, but it is not available in shops. For Saf, who runs a makeshift business on the outskirts of Banjul near patches of farmland and grazing cattle, discretion is key. 'I sell taba for a living – it makes me happy when people come to me because of a simple recommendation,' she says with a broad smile, taking pride in the fact that word of mouth brings her new customers. Saf's location is known only to trusted customers, and in the community where she lives and works, she is known as a gardener who sells regular plants in the marketplace. 'My family isn't entirely against me selling it [taba], but they don't want me to do it publicly, for fear of being arrested or exposed,' she reveals. At her shop, the taba is typically wrapped in paper or plastic. For 5 dalasi (7 cents), her customers get a small pinch – just enough for a single use. The 15-dalasi (21-cent) portion is slightly larger but still modest. Heavy users or those buying in bulk may spend up to 500 dalasi ($7) at once. A larger quantity, such as what bulk buyers get, can fill a tea mug. Saf says she sources her raw tobacco leaves from a supplier in Guinea-Bissau and processes them herself, mixing them with other substances to make them 'more powerful'. Some claim intoxicants such as heroin are added. 'It's a secret recipe,' she tells Al Jazeera when asked what's in her mix. 'I never share it with anyone.' The taba supply chain extends beyond The Gambia. Tobacco traders like Saikou Camara, who sources his stock from Guinea-Bissau and Casamance, both to the south of the country, insists that taba products should not be used in the wrong way. 'I've heard that women are using it for other reasons, but that's not what it's meant for,' he says. 'I don't believe it cures back pain or enhances sexual pleasure. Taba is meant for inhaling, nothing else.' The sellers, though, believe in the unproven health benefits of their product. At one of the busiest markets in Banjul, a 75-year-old seller insists on taba's medicinal properties, claiming it heals wounds, relieves back pain and cures headaches. At her makeshift stall, the woman who has been in the trade for decades works openly but also in secret. To the unsuspecting eye, she is just another vendor selling cooking ingredients. But tucked away in a clay jar – one that looks abandoned at first glance – is the taba. Each transaction is swift and calculated; she scans the surroundings before carefully opening the jar, retrieving the product, and slipping it into the hands of a waiting customer. When asked if she takes the jar home, she shook her head. 'I leave the jar, but I go home with the taba.' Women travel from across the country to buy taba from her, she says. At her stall, a customer from a rural village buys taba worth 2,000 dalasi ($28). The woman, in her 50s or 60s, is a seller too – she purchases it in bulk, repackages it, and resells it in her village at a higher price. 'She'll be back next month for more,' the older seller says. Government clampdown? According to a 2023 study published in the Tropical Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 63.2 percent of the Gambian women sampled were current users of intravaginal tobacco powder. The study revealed that women over 40 were 3.2 times more likely to use taba than younger women, while women in rural areas were 2.2 times more likely to use it compared with urban dwellers. Despite some research into taba use, Dr Mustapha Bittaye, the chief medical director of Gambia's only teaching hospital, says data on the health effects remains limited. 'We lack sufficient evidence to draw a definitive conclusion,' he tells Al Jazeera. 'As a ministry [of health], we will conduct a more thorough and objective study to properly assess the scale of the issue.' While general tobacco use is regulated in the country – smoking, for example, is prohibited indoors and in public places – the use of tobacco powder including taba remains unregulated. Dr Bittaye suggests that a starting point in addressing the taba issue may be the Tobacco Control Act, which legislates how the substance is used and sold, while the Ministry of Health works with NGOs to educate the Gambian women about the dangers of taba. But while the authorities deliberate, women continue to demand it and sellers are happy to supply. 'I make a lot of money from selling taba,' Saf says. 'The government and other people saying it's harmful won't give me what I earn from this business.' And what if the government does clamp down? 'We will just find new ways to keep our trade alive,' the seller says. 'Women need it. They'll always find a way to come to us, and we'll always find a way to help them.'
Syyaha
24-02-2025
- Business
- Syyaha
Saudi Universities Drive Toward Global Top 100 in 2025 Rankings
Saudi Arabia's universities are making historic strides in global rankings, positioning the Kingdom closer to its Vision 2030 goal of placing two universities among the world's top 100. According to the latest Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings 2025, universities in Saudi Arabia have climbed notably, reflecting strategic investments in education and rankings strongly influence student selection of higher education institutions. Indices like QS World University Rankings serve as global benchmarks for policymakers and government officials, supporting decisions on resource allocation, educational policies and programs, and funding.A new Arthur D. Little (ADL) Viewpoint, 'Enhancing University Rankings to Support Human Capital Development,' analyzes the factors behind the transformation of higher education, revealing how Saudi Arabia can leverage education reforms, research funding, and international collaborations to advance their universities even Viewpoint outlines 4 key pillars that impact university rankings: (1) teaching quality, (2) research effect, (3) international outlook, and (4) industry engagement. GCC countries have made significant progress in the past few years to enhance rankings of their universities globally, in line with their respective national Arabia is on the cusp of breaking into the global top 100 universities, with King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals (KFUPM) surging 79 places to 101st globally. This progress aligns with Vision 2030, which targets placing at least two Saudi universities among the world's top 100. Saudi Arabia is also strengthening faculty recruitment, research expansion, and industry-academic partnerships through programs such as the Human Capital Development Program, positioning its institutions as global knowledge centers. With sustained investment and reform, the Kingdom is well-positioned to secure its first top 100 ranking in the near Saf, Principal at Arthur D. Little Middle East said 'This year's rankings confirm what we have long anticipated—KSA universities are rapidly gaining global recognition as a result of sustained investment in education, research, and international partnerships. The region's focus on developing world-class institutions is not just about improving rankings but about building a knowledge-driven economy that can compete on a global scale.'To sustain the positive momentum of improved university rankings, an indicator of the overall education landscape in Saudi Arabia, a focus on the four key pillars of teaching quality, research effect, international outlook, and industry engagement is required. Universities can improve teaching quality by enhancing faculty training and modernizing curricula to ensure students gain relevant skills. Expanding high-impact research also remains a priority, where institutions should advance interdisciplinary research and publications to improve their global influence. Saudi Arabia can also broaden its international footprint by attracting world-class faculty, fostering student exchange programs, and forging academic partnerships to increase global integration. Industry engagement can be another critical driver, with universities strengthening corporate collaborations, patent development, and market-driven research initiatives to enhance graduates' employability and national economic growth.'To sustain this momentum, higher education institutes must understand their key gaps and strengths across the 4 strategic pillars, and design tailored strategies to enhance the quality of education in their countries and bridge the gaps between higher education and labour market needs,' said Amr Kazimi, Senior Manager at Arthur D. Little Middle East. 'Investing in world-class faculty and fostering interdisciplinary innovation will be critical in ensuring that Saudi universities not only climb the rankings but also become globally recognized knowledge hubs.'Looking at global success stories, Spain's IE University (IEU) provides a strong example, having increased its global standing by creating an internationally diverse student and faculty body, supported by government-backed scholarships and simplified visa processes. In the realm of industry collaboration, Purdue University's partnership with Rolls-Royce led to a restructured engineering curriculum that directly addressed employer needs, resulting in stronger industry-academic ties. Similarly, the National University of Singapore (NUS) established the Centre for Future-ready Graduates (CFG), which aligns students with career pathways through employer collaborations, internship programs, and direct industry universities also demonstrate the value of interdisciplinary collaboration and global impact. MIT's research strategy has positioned it as a leader in research, emphasizing the role of high-impact publications and technology-driven innovation hubs. By adopting similar approaches and integrating industry-backed research initiatives, Saudi universities can continue to advance in global rankings while strengthening their role as drivers of regional innovation. For further insights into Saudi Arabia's higher education progress, the full ADL Viewpoint 'Enhancing University Rankings to Support Human Capital Development' is available HERE
