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Technology forum begins at KACST [Arab News (Saudi Arabia)](Arab News (Saudi Arabia) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) • FORUM UNDER WAY: Education Minister Prince Khaled Al-Faisal addresses participants on the first day of the three-day forum at the King Abdulaziz City for Science & Technology. • RIYADH: Rodolfo C. Estimo Jr. The 3rd Advanced Technologies Forum 2014 kicked off on Tuesday at the King Abdulaziz City for Science & Technology (KACST) under the patronage of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah. The keynote speakers at the three-day event included Minister of Education Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, Minister of Economy & Planning Mohammed bin Suleiman Al-Jasser, and KACST President Mohammed bin Ibrahim Al-Suwaiyel. Speaking on the occasion, Prince Khaled Al-Faisal said that the Saudi educational system is anchored in Islamic values and methodology. "This means that we should hold on tightly to our Islamic values which encourage science and also be open to other cultures while maintaining our identity and be proud of it," he said. He added that the Kingdom is trying to build a modern Islamic state which can prove to the world that Islam is an evolving religion. "Our grandfathers have taken us through their struggle and Allah's blessings to the next level which is that of a civilized country at par to many of the advanced countries in the G-20," he said. He added that the country did not rise to its present status only on the back of oil revenues but particularly due to the wise leadership which has deployed the country's resources and invested its capabilities supported by the positive response of the citizens. "The citizens, through their cooperation, have made this Saudi experience a success and a role model for other Muslims to follow," the prince said, noting that "We need to continue the march of progress and link the past with the future. We also need to be innovative and creative instead of merely imitating others." Al-Faisal said that the Ministry of Education through the public education strategy is gearing up science and technology in accordance with King Abdullah's program for developing public education to provide distinguished education. "This aims to provide an attractive school environment with modern means of knowledge which will give gifted students opportunities in quality academies especially meant for them," Al-Faisal noted. He added that the program links the schools with online services such as e-learning through an internal net-working system for schools and homes with the generous support of laboratories. "The Ministry of Education is currently building 250,000 smart classrooms equipped with modern computers and tablets for teachers," he underlined. Al-Jasser, on the other hand, talked about Saudi Arabia's transition to a knowledge-based society. "I'm delighted to announce the transition of Saudi Arabia to a knowledge-based economy," he said, adding that it is the result of the longstanding relations and a joint effort between the Ministry of Economy and Planning and the KACST as well as the General Authority for Communication and Information Technology. Pointing to the report carrying the announcement, he said, "It's the first report on the achievements and mechanism of transferring Saudi society to a knowledge-based society," he said. He added that the report also includes an analysis of 20 reports issued by the ministries and other concerned authorities in addition to 13 international reports on Saudi Arabia. Pointing out the significance of the report, Al-Jasser said: "This report provides indicators of the development of information technology and communication, infrastructure, human resources and education." He added that the report also contains chapters on health, lifestyle, transportation, oil and gas and electronic transactions. During the conference, Al-Jasser discussed future plans for science and technology entitled 'Knowledge 2'. The second five-year plan, MAARIFAH-2, will accelerate the Kingdom's move toward a knowledge-based economy. This will be implemented by developing the country's economic ecosystem with the development of human resources and institutional capacities, supporting research and innovation activities, transferring and localizing technologies and facilitating the right industrial, financial, and legal environments needed for a vibrant sustainable knowledge-based economic system. (c) 2014 Arab News All rights reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info). |