Ministry of Culture Adds 118 Educational Institutions to its Cultural Scholarship Program

Ministry of Culture Adds 118 Educational Institutions to its Cultural Scholarship Program
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Ministry of Culture Adds 118 Educational Institutions to its Cultural Scholarship Program

Ministry of Culture Adds 118 Educational Institutions to its Cultural Scholarship Program

The Saudi Ministry of Culture said it is expanding its Cultural Scholarship Program by adding 118 educational institutions to the list of accredited educational institutions.
The move aims to lend support to national cadres, respond to the growing needs of the labor market, and achieve the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 related to culture, SPA reported.
The new addition brings the number of educational institutions supported by the program to 278, distributed in 15 countries: the largest number, 58 institutions, in US, 40 institutions in UK, and one in Russia. Students may obtain scholarships in 13 cultural fields.
The newly added educational institutions include prestigious international universities, most notably: the University of San Francisco, Arizona State University, University of Colorado Boulder, Royal Holloway, University of London, the University of Liverpool, Padova University, in Italy, and Lund University, in Sweden.
The Cultural Scholarship Program is comprehensive and offers a diversity of specializations in the cultural and artistic fields. Scholarship students will have their study costs funded, financial guarantee, paid living expenses, for them and their companions, medical insurance, travel tickets, and will have their academic development followed up on and evaluated.



Quality of Life Program Continues to Empower Saudi Cultural Sector

The flag of Saudi Arabia. Asharq Al-Awsat
The flag of Saudi Arabia. Asharq Al-Awsat
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Quality of Life Program Continues to Empower Saudi Cultural Sector

The flag of Saudi Arabia. Asharq Al-Awsat
The flag of Saudi Arabia. Asharq Al-Awsat

The Quality of Life Program continues to support the transformation of Saudi Arabia's cultural sector, aiming to establish the Kingdom as a global hub for arts and culture, as outlined in Vision 2030. This is evident in the reopening of the King Fahd Cultural Center, the historic Qishlah Palace in Hail, and the launch of the teamLab Jeddah museum, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The program also bolstered the production of Saudi films and series like "Threads of the Ma'azib," "Al Sharrar," and "Complex 75," while showcasing international films like "Kandahar" and "Dunki," filmed in the Kingdom.
The initiative to develop public libraries resulted in two new libraries in Dammam and Ahad Rufaidah, with plans for 153 cultural centers by 2030. The Saudi Artisanal Company was also established to support the handicraft sector and preserve Saudi heritage, SPA said.
In 2023, the program's cultural initiatives achieved remarkable success. The Cultural Development Fund, with 180 million riyals in funding, was established for over 45 projects. The Aruq Bani Ma'arid was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The King Abdulaziz Historical Palace and Jerash archaeological site in the south of the Kingdom were restored, and the Saudi Museum of Contemporary Art in Diriyah opened, hosting the Biennale exhibition with over 16,232 visitors.
The "Nuqush Al Uqair" event in Al-Ahsa attracted over 60,000 visitors and highlighted the region's traditional crafts. The Royal Institute of Traditional Arts trained over 1,453 individuals and participated in international cultural events, SPA reported.
The Professional Music Association and the Professional Museums Association were established to foster diversity. The initiative to enhance Saudi contributions to culture and the arts presented over 100 diverse performances, and the Culinary Arts Authority hosted three cultural festivals across Riyadh, Jeddah, and Khobar, the news agency added.