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Arab News
a day ago
- Science
- Arab News
Saudi students' experiments launched to International Space Station
RIYADH: Saudi students' winning entries from the 'Space Madak' competition were launched to the International Space Station on Wednesday morning, the Saudi Space Agency announced. The launch was part of an international mission that lifted off from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, United States. Ten experiments designed by students from Saudi Arabia and across the Arab world were included in the launch — a landmark event that reflects the Kingdom's push to advance scientific innovation and empower young talents in the space industry. The 'Space Madak' competition was set up to support and encourage those who are fascinated by space science and technology and are eager to learn how to turn their ideas into practical scientific applications in the microgravity environment aboard the ISS. The competition, an initiative by the agency in partnership with the Misk Foundation and the Ilmi Science Discovery and Innovation Center, consisted of three categories: 'Art: Bezel of Inspiration,' open to ages 6-11; 'Agriculture: Bezel of Growth,' open to ages 12-14; and 'Engineering: Bezel of Innovation,' open to ages 15-18. More than 80,000 students participated from across the Arab world. At the launch of the competition in February last year, Rayyanah Barnawi, the first female Saudi astronaut and supervisor of the competition, said that it was bound to expand the horizons of ambitious young minds and fuel their creativity. The competition presented a 'unique opportunity for students in the Arab world to participate in a journey of discovery and innovation,' she said. Barnawi was selected by the agency to join Axiom Mission 2 in May 2023, and with fellow Saudi astronaut Ali Al-Qarni, conducted 14 experiments on the ISS — 11 on research in a microgravity environment focused on human health, cell sciences, and cloud seeding, and three interactive educational experiments with students in the Kingdom. The achievement by the students is a reflection of the Saudi Space Agency's efforts to fortify the Kingdom's presence in international space programs and to promote an environment that supports a knowledge-based economy, in accordance with Vision 2030 goals of preparing a generation capable of becoming active contributors in the future of the space sector.
Argaam
13-05-2025
- Science
- Argaam
14,500 Saudis studying in US: Education Minister
Saudi Arabia's Minister of Education Yousef Al-Benyan said that around 14,470 Saudi students are currently studying in the US, with most of them enrolled through the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Scholarship Program. The US has been a key education destination for Saudis for over 70 years, he told the Saudi Press Agency (SPA). Since the scholarship program began, hundreds of thousands of students have been sent to American universities. Al-Benyan noted that this academic presence helped build a strong base of Saudi professionals in medicine, engineering, science, management, and other fields. Universities like King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), King Saud University, King Abdulaziz University, and King Faisal University have over 120 research agreements with US institutions, he added. These cover areas such as renewable energy, biotech, and artificial intelligence (AI). The minister noted that more than 15 joint training and cooperation programs are ongoing with American universities and research centers. They focus on AI, cybersecurity, and clean energy, alongside partnerships aimed at researcher exchange and developing technical and academic capabilities.
