RIYADH, May 3, 2017 – The Ministry of Education and Alinma Bank have signed a cooperative agreement to support initiatives of the National Center for the Development of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). The initiatives, which are part of the kingdom’s National Transformation Program and are in line with the Saudi government’s Vision 2030 aim to promote a transition towards a knowledge economy and to increase STEM skills among Saudi students.
The agreement was signed by Dr. Ahmed Bin Mohamed Al Issa, the Minister of Education, and Mr. Abdulmohsen Al-Fares, the Chief Executive Officer of Alinma Bank, at a special ceremony at the Ministry of Education’s headquarters in Riyadh. Executives and senior officials from both parties were also in attendance.
Among the initiatives outlined in the agreement is an exhibition on the scientific contributions of Islamic civilization throughout history that will be featured at the Al-Qassim Science Center. Alinma will further support the state-of-the-art science and technology facility by sponsoring other rotating exhibitions in the fields of manufacturing, banking, economy and other STEM-related disciplines. Furthermore, as part of the agreement, the National Center for the Development of STEM will also dedicate space within the center for Alinma to share information about the bank with the public.
Speaking after the signing ceremony, the Minister of Education touted the agreement an important model for public-private partnership cooperation, and expressed his pleasure at being associated with Alinma for such a worthwhile endeavor. The minister also highlighted the importance of preparing younger generations for the ongoing transformation of the kingdom into a knowledge economy where STEM skills will be of paramount importance. Lastly, he thanked Alinma Bank for its commitment to corporate social responsibility, especially in the field of education.
Also speaking on the occasion, Mr. Al-Fares reiterated Alinma Bank’s interest in supporting programs that contribute to the development and sustainability of the kingdom. He noted that since its inception, Alinma had been consistently involved with community efforts and that the bank would continue to forge ahead as a socially responsible corporate institution. Al-Fares further expressed his gratitude at having the opportunity to support STEM programs through the STEM Center, where he said the bank would continue to make every effort to help the organization to be a center of excellence for all visitors, Saudi and expatriate alike.