NEOM Celebrates Student Excellence and Innovation in Chicago

High-performing students from the Tabuk region have been honored by NEOM at a special event held in Chicago, US. (SPA)
High-performing students from the Tabuk region have been honored by NEOM at a special event held in Chicago, US. (SPA)
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NEOM Celebrates Student Excellence and Innovation in Chicago

High-performing students from the Tabuk region have been honored by NEOM at a special event held in Chicago, US. (SPA)
High-performing students from the Tabuk region have been honored by NEOM at a special event held in Chicago, US. (SPA)

High-performing students from the Tabuk region, on scholarship at US universities, have been honored by NEOM, the sustainable regional development taking shape in northwestern Saudi Arabia, at a special event held in Chicago, US, according to a press release from NEOM.
Led by NEOM CEO Nadhmi Al-Nasr, the occasion celebrated the educational achievements of the 130 participants in NEOM’s 2023 Scholarship Program, which sponsors Tabuk students who pursue their tertiary studies, as well as seek valuable work experience abroad, SPA said on Wednesday.
From the 2023 cohort, 118 students made their way to Chicago, where they were feted for their educational accomplishments. Forty-nine of the students were honored for their academic excellence or innovative contributions. The event enabled students to showcase their achievements, connect with NEOM leaders and discuss future collaboration.
This most recent activity of the annual scholarship program built on the success of last year's gathering in Washington, D.C. This year’s Chicago event featured three presentations by students, which offered insights and perspectives into the key NEOM projects of Trojena, Oxagon and ENOWA.
Notable figures from NEOM, including Founding President of NEOM University Professor Andreas Cangellaris, head of Health and Wellbeing Dr. Mahmoud Alyamany, and head of NEOM Digital Media Academy Nada Alshaibani, attended the event alongside the NEOM CEO.
Al-Nasr said: "This event celebrates the remarkable achievements of our scholarship recipients. NEOM takes great pride in being a catalyst for these bright, young minds by fostering academic excellence and vital community involvement. In addition to their studies, the students take part in field trips and internships at NEOM offering them invaluable practical exposure to our diverse sectors and operations. We aim to cultivate a generation that not only excels in their respective fields but actively contributes to Saudi Vision 2030 – building a dynamic society, fueling economic prosperity and shaping an ambitious nation."
The NEOM Scholarship Program targets Saudi students and high-achieving school leavers. Since its inception in 2019, the program has supported 740 undergraduate students and recent graduates.
Students enrolled in the program study at renowned institutions in Saudi Arabia, UK and US. Upon completing their studies, scholarship recipients are offered positions within NEOM's sectors, their knowledge and skills aligned with the expertise required for NEOM's future development.
The initiative underscores NEOM's commitment to nurturing talent, driving innovation, and building a dynamic workforce to realize the ambitious goals of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030.



Heavy Rain in Northern Japan Triggers Floods, Landslides

A road is flooded after a heavy rain in Sakata, Yamagata prefecture, northern Japan Friday, July 26, 2024. Heavy rain hit northern Japan Thursday, triggering floods and landslides, disrupting transportation systems and forcing hundreds of residents to take shelter at safer grounds. (Kyodo News via AP)
A road is flooded after a heavy rain in Sakata, Yamagata prefecture, northern Japan Friday, July 26, 2024. Heavy rain hit northern Japan Thursday, triggering floods and landslides, disrupting transportation systems and forcing hundreds of residents to take shelter at safer grounds. (Kyodo News via AP)
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Heavy Rain in Northern Japan Triggers Floods, Landslides

A road is flooded after a heavy rain in Sakata, Yamagata prefecture, northern Japan Friday, July 26, 2024. Heavy rain hit northern Japan Thursday, triggering floods and landslides, disrupting transportation systems and forcing hundreds of residents to take shelter at safer grounds. (Kyodo News via AP)
A road is flooded after a heavy rain in Sakata, Yamagata prefecture, northern Japan Friday, July 26, 2024. Heavy rain hit northern Japan Thursday, triggering floods and landslides, disrupting transportation systems and forcing hundreds of residents to take shelter at safer grounds. (Kyodo News via AP)

Heavy rain hit northern Japan Thursday, triggering floods and landslides, disrupting transportation systems and forcing hundreds of residents to take shelter at safer grounds.

The Japan Meteorological Agency issued emergency warnings of heavy rain for several municipalities in the Yamagata and Akita prefecture, where warm and humid air was flowing.

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida urged the affected area’s residents to “put safety first” and pay close attention to the latest information from the authorities.

According to the Fire and Disaster Management Agency, one person went missing in Yuzawa city — in the Akita prefecture — after being hit by a landslide at a road construction site.

Rescue workers in the city evacuated 11 people from the flooded area with the help of a boat.

In the neighboring Yamagata prefecture, more than 10 centimeters (4 inches) of rain fell in the hardest-hit Yuza and Sakata towns within an hour earlier Thursday.

Thousands of residents in the area were advised to take shelter at higher and safer grounds, but it was not immediately known how many people took that advice.

Yamagata Shinkansen bullet train services were partially suspended on Thursday, according to East Japan Railway Company.

The agency predicted up to 20 centimeters (8 inches) of more rainfall in the region through Friday evening, urging residents to remain cautious.