New Murabba Launches Graduates Program to Empower Young Saudi Talent

Aligned with Saudi Vision 2030, New Murabba is dedicated to investing in the nation's future - SPA
Aligned with Saudi Vision 2030, New Murabba is dedicated to investing in the nation's future - SPA
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New Murabba Launches Graduates Program to Empower Young Saudi Talent

Aligned with Saudi Vision 2030, New Murabba is dedicated to investing in the nation's future - SPA
Aligned with Saudi Vision 2030, New Murabba is dedicated to investing in the nation's future - SPA

New Murabba, a Public Investment Fund (PIF) company, announced on Friday the launch of its inaugural Graduates Program, a strategic initiative designed to cultivate and empower the next generation of Saudi leaders.
According to a press release, the program welcomed its first cohort, marking a significant milestone in New Murabba's commitment to developing exceptional talent and contributing to the Kingdom's Vision 2030 goals.
Through a rigorous selection process, New Murabba has identified exceptional graduates who embody the program's values, SPA reported.

The immersive program will equip these individuals with critical skills in construction, engineering, project management, artificial intelligence, and other key areas, ensuring they are prepared to contribute to building the world's largest and most transformative downtown.
Aligned with Saudi Vision 2030, New Murabba is dedicated to investing in the nation's future by providing unparalleled opportunities for its youth. The press release added that this program exemplifies the company’s commitment to education, training, and workforce localization. Participants will embark on a transformative journey that seamlessly integrates structured on-the-job training with targeted learning courses.
New Murabba Chief Corporate Services Officer Eng. Mamdouh Al-Quraishi stated: "By cultivating the next generation of leaders, New Murabba aspires to build a brighter tomorrow for our nation. We are confident these graduates will shape the future of our community and drive innovation on a global scale."
The New Murabba Graduates Program represents a vital investment in the future leaders of Saudi Arabia. This initiative, along with other forthcoming efforts, aims at laying the foundation for a new generation of skilled professionals who will significantly support the continuous development taking place in the Kingdom.



In Freezing Temperatures, Swimmers in China Plunge into a River for Health and Joy

 A resident swims in a pool carved from ice on the frozen Songhua river in Harbin in northeastern China's Heilongjiang province, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. (AP)
A resident swims in a pool carved from ice on the frozen Songhua river in Harbin in northeastern China's Heilongjiang province, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. (AP)
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In Freezing Temperatures, Swimmers in China Plunge into a River for Health and Joy

 A resident swims in a pool carved from ice on the frozen Songhua river in Harbin in northeastern China's Heilongjiang province, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. (AP)
A resident swims in a pool carved from ice on the frozen Songhua river in Harbin in northeastern China's Heilongjiang province, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. (AP)

Even as the mercury dropped below freezing, enthusiasm soared among about a dozen hardy swimmers during an annual ritual in northeast China’s ice city of Harbin.

The swimmers had trained daily throughout the year for this moment.

They first had to carve out a pool in the Songhua River, thawing the 10-centimeter (4-inch) thick ice that froze overnight. Then they stripped down and, one by one, plunged into the bone-chilling waters of the pool about 10 meters (33 feet) long.

Some said their limbs were already numb when the air temperature fell to minus 13 degrees Celsius (8 degrees Fahrenheit).

Chen Xia, from the eastern coastal province of Zhejiang, dived into the river even though she was suffering from a cold. She said the waters in her home city were warmer than those in Harbin, where the temperature was about 0 C (32 F).

The experience strengthened her confidence in winter swimming, a sport she has been devoted to for about two decades.

“I felt prickling all over my body,” said Chen, 56. “But it still made me feel blissful."

Harbin resident Yu Xiaofeng said winter swimming in her city can be dated back to the 1970s, after locals saw Russian Orthodox faithful being baptized in the river. In 1983, the city's winter swimming association was established.

Yu, 61, said she found a sense of a big family and joy during her 30 years of swimming.

“Since the pandemic, we came up with a slogan: Rather suffer through winter swimming than line up at the hospital,” she said, adding that winter swimmers appeared to have better health than others.

You Decang, 76, said swimming kept him healthy and he had never caught a cold.

"If I go just one day without winter swimming, I feel quite uncomfortable,” he said.