KING Abdullah Economic City (KAEC), in cooperation with Dar Al-Hekma University, has announced the launch of Raiah, the first award in the Kingdom to honor exceptional women in Saudi Arabia. The honor is intended to inspire young Saudi women to dedicate themselves to their ambitions and their goals and to celebrate Saudi women as invaluable assets to the Kingdom and to Islam. The award is under the patronage of Prince Khalid Al Faisal, Advisor to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and Governor of the Makkah Region. "Women play an essential role in the development and leadership of King Abdullah Economic City and in the growth of our strong communities," said Fahd Al-Rasheed, Group CEO and Managing Director of KAEC. "Saudi women are playing an increasingly central role in the social and economic progress of the Kingdom and their achievements deserve recognition and emulation." Al-Rasheed expressed his appreciation to Prince Khalid Al Faisal for supporting the Raiah and for his continuous support and encouragement of KAEC initiatives. He also thanked Dar Al-Hekma University for its role in promoting the cause of Saudi women. Dr. Suhair Al-Qurashi, President of Dar Al-Hekma University, said "the Raiah Awards are aimed at empowering women and are very much in line with Dar Al Hekma University's vision of creating a generation of young women who recognize excellence and creative thinking as a means of promoting change." The Raiah Awards are given in five categories: Education Raiah – awarded for exceptional contributions to education, either as a professional or a volunteer; Family Raiah – acknowledging outstanding service to a family member or members; Community Raiah – recognizing a considerable contribution to the community; Creativity and Innovation Raiah – celebrating innovative work with a significant social, economic or environmental impact; and Promising Raiah – awarded to a young woman who, at an early age, had a significant positive impact on her family or to society in any of the award's categories: Education; Creativity and Innovation; and Community Service. Nominations for the Raiah Awards are open until Sept. 28, 2017, and applicants can register online at www.raiah.kaec.net. One winner from each category will be honored at a special ceremony at King Abdullah Economic City. The awards ceremony will be attended by business leaders, government officials and members of the media. The winner in each category will receive a cash prize of SR50,000 in addition to a training grant from Mohammed Bin Salman College for Business and Entrepreneurship (MBSC). Winners will also be treated to a significant amount of media coverage focusing on their lives and achievements.
