'Academy 32' Launched in Saudi Arabia to Qualify National Cadres in Research and Development

King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) logo
King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) logo
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'Academy 32' Launched in Saudi Arabia to Qualify National Cadres in Research and Development

King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) logo
King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) logo

Saudi Arabia’s King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) inaugurated on Sunday "Academy 32" to provide training programs in accordance with international best practices to develop the skills of specialists in the research, development and innovation sector, along with workers in the fields of science and technology.

The academy also trains students interested in research, development and innovation.

The CEO of "Academy 32", Dr. Saud Al-Fadhel, explained that the academy aims to enhance awareness, spread knowledge, invest in energies and talents to achieve national goals and contribute to building an economy based on innovation as the central pillar of scientific renaissance and economic development.

Moreover, the academy seeks to qualify and develop national cadres to achieve a sustainable impact in research, development and innovation through its qualitative programs and community partnerships that are consistent with development plans.

"Academy 32" provides knowledge activities, qualifying and enrichment programs, and training and development programs in order to foster a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship, meet career development needs in the energy, industry, health, sustainability, environment, and future economies sectors, and cultivate scientific awareness in the domains of research, development, and innovation.

"Academy 32" will evaluate national requirements for competent leaders, researchers, and experts, in addition to making suggestions and offering suitable solutions to satisfy these needs in accordance with best practices for developing internationally competitive citizens.



Many Flights to Indonesia’s Bali Cancelled after Volcano Eruption 

Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki spews smoke and volcanic ash as seen from Kawalelo village in East Nusa Tenggara province, Indonesia, June 17, 2025. (Reuters) 
Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki spews smoke and volcanic ash as seen from Kawalelo village in East Nusa Tenggara province, Indonesia, June 17, 2025. (Reuters) 
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Many Flights to Indonesia’s Bali Cancelled after Volcano Eruption 

Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki spews smoke and volcanic ash as seen from Kawalelo village in East Nusa Tenggara province, Indonesia, June 17, 2025. (Reuters) 
Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki spews smoke and volcanic ash as seen from Kawalelo village in East Nusa Tenggara province, Indonesia, June 17, 2025. (Reuters) 

Several flights to the Indonesian resort island of Bali were cancelled or delayed and the airport in Maumere in East Nusa Tenggara province was closed due to the eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki, officials said on Wednesday.

Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki, which is in East Nusa Tenggara province, erupted on Tuesday, spewing ash 11 km (6.84 miles) high, forcing the country's volcanology agency to raise the alert level to the highest.

It erupted again on Wednesday morning, belching a 1 km (0.62 mile) high ash cloud, the agency said in a statement.

Several international flights from India, Singapore and Australia to Bali were cancelled due to the eruption, the Bali international airport website showed. Singapore Airlines cancelled four flights between Bali's Denpasar airport and Singapore, and its budget subsidiary Scoot cancelled flights to Bali and the neighboring island Lombok, the airlines said.

Qantas' low-cost carrier JetStar cancelled several morning flights to Bali from Australia and expects afternoon flights to be delayed.

"Forecasts show the ash cloud is expected to clear by later tonight," JetStar said in a midday travel bulletin.

The government closed the Fransiskus Xaverius Seda airport in Maumere from Wednesday until Thursday "to ensure the safety of the passengers," said the airport operator AirNav in its Instagram post.

The eruption also forced local authorities to evacuate dozens of residents living in two villages near the volcano, Avi Hallan, an official at the local disaster mitigation agency told Reuters.

"Streets in the two villages were filled with thick ash, gravel, and sand," she said, adding no casualties were reported.

The volcano last erupted in May.

Indonesia sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire, an area of high seismic activity atop multiple tectonic plates.