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Royal Commission for AlUla Signs Cooperation Agreement with Jordan’s Petra National Trust

The Royal Commission for AlUla has signed a cooperation agreement with Jordan’s Petra National Trust to enhance the sustainable protection of ancient monuments. SPA
The Royal Commission for AlUla has signed a cooperation agreement with Jordan’s Petra National Trust to enhance the sustainable protection of ancient monuments. SPA
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Royal Commission for AlUla Signs Cooperation Agreement with Jordan’s Petra National Trust

The Royal Commission for AlUla has signed a cooperation agreement with Jordan’s Petra National Trust to enhance the sustainable protection of ancient monuments. SPA
The Royal Commission for AlUla has signed a cooperation agreement with Jordan’s Petra National Trust to enhance the sustainable protection of ancient monuments. SPA

The Royal Commission for AlUla has signed a cooperation agreement with Jordan’s Petra National Trust to enhance the sustainable protection of ancient monuments and encourage community participation in preserving landmarks of historical significance.
The agreement, signed in the Hegra area of AlUla, is part of a shared effort by both sides to care for and preserve their common human heritage. AlUla and Petra are both centers of the Nabatean civilization, which flourished in these areas.
The agreement includes the exchange of knowledge, skills, visits, and tours, as well as promoting education and community engagement in history, human heritage, and heritage preservation. It also explores new opportunities related to future strategies.
Both AlUla and Petra reflect the cultural creativity and architectural mastery of the ancient Nabateans. The Darb al-Bakrah route, which connects Hegra to Petra, reveals numerous inscriptions in languages such as Arabic and Nabatean, highlighting its significance and vital role in the area.
The agreement supports the Ruwat program, launched by the Royal Commission for AlUla, which offers cooperative training for citizens of AlUla.
Under the agreement, the Petra National Trust joins the commission's international partner network, which includes organizations such as UNESCO, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS). These organizations contribute to preserving cultural and natural heritage.
This agreement further enhances partnerships with various Jordanian sectors, such as Royal Jordanian Airlines, which operates flights to AlUla, and Khammash Architects, part of the design and construction team developing the Sidrat AlUla project.

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Chinese Language Introduced in Saudi Schools

Students greeted Chinese language instructors with flowers and traditional Saudi hospitality, using Chinese phrases they had learned recently(X)
Students greeted Chinese language instructors with flowers and traditional Saudi hospitality, using Chinese phrases they had learned recently(X)
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Chinese Language Introduced in Saudi Schools

Students greeted Chinese language instructors with flowers and traditional Saudi hospitality, using Chinese phrases they had learned recently(X)
Students greeted Chinese language instructors with flowers and traditional Saudi hospitality, using Chinese phrases they had learned recently(X)

Schools across six Saudi educational regions—Riyadh, Yanbu, the Eastern Province, Jeddah, Jazan, and Tabuk—welcomed teachers from the People's Republic of China as part of the national project to introduce Chinese language instruction. This initiative aims to enrich students' linguistic and cultural diversity.

Starting this academic year, students will receive mandatory Chinese language lessons. However, grades in this subject will not impact students’ cumulative GPA, allowing them to learn the language without the pressure of traditional academic evaluation.

Chinese language lessons will be introduced to 57 schools in Riyadh, 41 in Jeddah, 25 in Jazan, and five in Khobar.

Maryam Al-Sari, principal of the Second Intermediate School in Sabya—one of the schools approved for Chinese language instruction in the Jazan Education Department—shared that the Chinese teacher began her duties on Monday.

To celebrate her arrival, the school staff organized a welcoming ceremony reflecting Saudi hospitality and culture.

Students greeted the teacher with flowers and traditional Saudi hospitality, using Chinese phrases they had learned recently. The day featured a unique blend of Saudi and Chinese educational experiences.

“From the start, we aimed to create a common ground between the students, school staff, and the Chinese teacher by forming a support team that includes an English teacher,” Al-Sari told Asharq Al-Awsat.

“We also educated the students on the importance of Saudi-China relations, which is a key goal of Vision 2030, and emphasized their role in showcasing Saudi cultural values."

One of the Chinese teachers joining schools in Jazan, was greeted with flowers, traditional Saudi coffee, and warm hospitality.

“I was thrilled to be welcomed by the students and the school staff. The reception was very warm and heartfelt, and I am grateful for the kindness I’ve experienced,” the teacher told Asharq Al-Awsat.

When asked about how Chinese teachers are chosen, the teacher revealed that they must first pass an exam, obtain a Chinese teaching certificate, and complete training abroad.

The Saudi Ministry of Education’s goal in bringing Chinese teachers to Saudi schools is to improve education through diverse teaching methods and cultural exchange.

This initiative aims to enhance students’ skills, promote better understanding between different cultures, and raise the overall quality of education.