Riyadh — Wife of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, has launched a new science and technology initiative called “Ilmi”. The program aims to promote scientific and technological research and development in Saudi Arabia, and inspire the next generation of innovators and thinkers, Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.
Princess Sara bint Mashhour bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud has established a center that will enable young people to engage with STREAM subjects, which encompass Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics.
Princess Sarah said, “Ilmi will be a beacon of creativity, learning and accessibility”.
Named after the Arabic word for “my knowledge,” the upcoming ilmi center will serve as a Science Discovery and Innovation Center accessible to all. The 27,000 square meter facility, located in the Mohammed bin Salman Nonprofit City in Riyadh, is scheduled to open its doors in 2025. It has been designed with sustainability and creativity in mind, featuring extensive landscaping and integration with its natural surroundings, as well as making use of natural light.
The Ilmi initiative will provide support and funding for research projects in various fields, including artificial intelligence, renewable energy, and biotechnology. It will also offer training and mentorship programs for young researchers and entrepreneurs, as well as scholarships for students pursuing degrees in science and technology.
According to the SPA, the ilmi project seeks to inspire and empower Saudi Arabia’s youth to explore, create, and take on challenges in a practical manner. At its core, ilmi employs a distinctive approach that aims to provide a detailed and qualitative understanding of how young people in the country engage with STREAM subjects, allowing them to better connect with these fields.
Princess Sarah said, “Ilmi will offer all Saudi Arabia’s young and lifelong learners the ability to realize their potential, further drive advances in the Kingdom, and help shape the future. Together, I hope that we will all create ilmi, and inspire and support our next generation”.
The initiative is a philanthropic, non-governmental project supported by the Mohammed bin Salman Foundation (Misk) as one of its subsidiaries, and will operate in collaboration with Mohammed bin Salman Nonprofit City.
The center will feature permanent exhibitions organized around three central themes: Our World, Our Selves, and Our Inventions, while also addressing topics such as space, ecosystems, and artificial intelligence.
In addition, the center will host a range of events, installations, talks, performances, and learning programs in partnership with other organizations, all aimed at fostering a new STREAM community in Saudi Arabia.
Ilmi will utilize an integrated digital platform, along with a series of pop-up learning experiences throughout Saudi Arabia, starting this summer. These initiatives are designed to generate excitement and interest among youth, parents, families, and individuals of all ages and skill levels, with the goal of engaging them in STREAM subjects prior to the opening of ilmi’s physical location.
The Ilmi initiative is expected to further accelerate the growth of the country’s science and technology sector, and help Saudi Arabia achieve its goal of becoming a global leader in innovation. It will also create new opportunities for Saudi youth to pursue careers in science and technology, and contribute to the development of their country.
Ilmi will soon introduce an online platrform that includes a series of gamified design challenges aimed at exploring essential STREAM concepts, linking them to real-life scenarios, and inspiring participants to devise innovative solutions as part of a competition.
To facilitate this initiative, ilmi will conduct a series of live activations that delve into the STREAM content embedded in each digital challenge, encouraging families and friends to work collaboratively and build solutions in real-time.
The launch of the Ilmi initiative has been widely praised by the scientific and technological community in Saudi Arabia and beyond. It is seen as a major step towards achieving the country’s ambitious goals in science and technology, and a testament to the leadership and vision of Princess Sarah bint Mashhoor.
The Ilmi initiative is expected to attract the best and brightest minds in the country, and help Saudi Arabia build a strong foundation for scientific and technological progress in the years to come.
