Tunis, Tunisian Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi met here today with his French counterpart Jean Castex.
During the meeting, they discussed the bilateral relations and ways to enhance cooperation in a number of fields.
Source: Saudi Press Agency
MiSK and Al-Anood Foundations Inaugurate Joint Action to Empower Non-Profit Organizations
Riyadh, Mohammed bin Salman Foundation (MiSK) signed a memorandum of understanding with Princess Al-Anood Foundation aimed at building a framework for joint cooperation between the two parties in supporting non-profit youth organizations and enhancing the reasons for their sustainability and effective participation in the national economy, in line with the objectives of the Kingdom Vision 2030.
The agreement, which was co-signed by Dr. Badr bin Hamoud Al-Badr, CEO of MiSK, and Dr. Yousef bin Othman Al-Hazeem, Secretary-General of Princess Alanood Foundation, aims to discuss opportunities to support non-profit youth organizations and initiatives and double their numbers, exchange experiences and information to contribute to achieving the practical goals of the two foundations, cooperate in the research and analysis of the needs of non-profit youth organizations, and establish training programs to raise the professional competence of their staff.
In line with the MOU objectives, a working group will discuss the unified strategic goals in supporting youth initiatives and organizations and build an executive action plan to define the goals assigned to each party.
Source: Saudi Press Agency
UK Records 5,274 New Cases of COVID-19
London, The United Kingdom recorded 5,274 new infections of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) and 18 deaths during the past 24 hours.
In a statement issued today, the UK Health Department said that the total number of infections reached 4,499,878, while the death toll rose to 127,812.
Source: Saudi Press Agency
Al Al-Sheikh: Education Development is an ongoing process to achieve the public’s aspirations and enhance their competition globally
Riyadh, Minister of Education Dr. Hamad bin Mohammed Al Al-Sheikh reiterated that the development of the education system – including the curricula and study plans – is a continuous process, and constitutes the first stage of development, in which all segments of the society are partners where the sons and daughters of the country find what they deserve in developing their skills, and responding to their aspirations and enhance their global competition.
During a meeting today with the editors-in-chief of Saudi newspapers and heads of media channels, the minister highlighted the support that the education process enjoys from the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and HRH the Crown Prince, who consider investing in the human resource as their top priority to reach a distinguished Saudi model in education.
He explained that the development in education is the result of thorough and specialized studies that the Ministry has embarked on during the past two years, which underlined the urgent and rapid need for this in-depth development that responds to the needs of and the future of the country, and leads to raising the level of efficiency of the educational system in accordance with the best international practices; to achieve the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.
He pointed out that the Ministry of Education is confident in the efforts of its employees to participate in achieving this development, and overcoming all challenges, whether inside or outside the educational system, praising the educators’ dedication in performing their mission who proved that they are up to confidence and responsibility.
The minister added that the first phase of the development project started with the announcement of the development of the curricula and study plans and the implementation of the three-semester plan. He stressed that the development would contribute to raising learning outcomes, improving the level of educational performance of male and female students, supporting their skills, enhancing their abilities, and improving the Kingdom’s results in international tests, in addition to bridging the gap between the educationally advanced countries and the educational system in the Kingdom in terms of the actual number of days of study, which will be addressed with the implementation of the three semesters system next year.
Source: Saudi Press Agency
Dual National Pakistani Students Have ‘Brighter’ Chances of Securing Visas
LONDON, June 3, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — There are hundreds and thousands of Pakistani students who travel abroad each year to attain higher education. According to a Lahore-based education consultancy, those with dual citizenship have “brighter chances” to be granted study visas abroad. Currently, Pakistani citizens can travel to a small handful of destinations visa-free or visa-on-arrival, resulting in extensive paperwork and time and money costs when applying for study permits in North America or Europe.
In 2016, a British ranking agency recorded Pakistan as the weakest higher education system out of 50 examined nations while the US and UK topped the list. Pakistani students are increasingly interested in pursuing higher education from abroad because of the better quality education, career growth, and future opportunities available in different countries said Dr Syed Shujaat Ali Shah from FES Higher Education Consultants. For Pakistani students, the most favoured destinations to continue a higher education include the UK, the US, Canada, Australia, and Ireland.
Micha Emmett, the CEO of a London-based second citizenship firm CS Global Partners, says that many Pakistani applicants look to citizenship by investment (CBI) programmes to ensure their child can access the world’s most esteemed schools. “Parents want to give their children the tools to succeed in learning and life, and attaining second citizenship through investment is the fastest and easiest route to make that happen,” she said.
Second citizenship from St Kitts and Nevis increases the mobility of Pakistani students and parents needing to travel to international education hubs, she said. “With citizenship of a European or Commonwealth nation like the Federation of St Kitts and Nevis, you can enrol in some of the world’s oldest and most prestigious universities, perhaps to complete the Masters’ degree you’ve always wanted to pursue.”
With CBI, new citizens can also take advantage of St Kitts and Nevis’ many internationally-recognised universities like the University of Medicine and Health Sciences (UMHS), which confers upon its graduates the Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree. Since March 2011, students at UMHS have participated in residency matches every year by being placed into various specialities across the US and Canada. The institution is recognised by the Accreditation Commission on Colleges of Medicine, an international body listed by the National Committee on Foreign Medical Education and Accreditation, part of the US Department of Education.
Through CBI programmes, vetted applicants can legally acquire a second nationality in return for an investment in the host country. St Kitts and Nevis is known as the ‘Platinum Standard’ in the industry for its longest-standing offering globally. It acknowledges the growing importance to investors to obtain citizenship for their families too, which is why, for a limited time, families of up to four can get citizenship for US$150,000 instead of US$195,000 through the fund option. Moreover, St Kitts and Nevis allows future generations of successful applicants to inherit citizenship as well.