Saudi Gazette JEDDAH — The Indian diplomatic mission in Saudi Arabia is exploring the prospect of handing over the management of community schools to Kendriya Vidyalaya, according to Ambassador Dr. Ausaf Sayeed. Addressing a press conference in Jeddah on Saturday, the envoy also unveiled plans to introduce artificial intelligence (AI), robotics and other newer technologies into the curricula of Indian school community schools as well as to facilitate setting up of off campuses of premier Indian universities in the Kingdom. Those who attended the press conference held at the Indian Consulate General premises included Consul General Mohammed Noor Rahman Sheikh, Deputy Chief of Mission at Indian Embassy Dr. Pradeep Singh Rajpurohit, Haj Consul Y. Sabir, Consul of Commerce & PIC Hamna Mariyam Khan, and Second Secretary (Commercial) Dr. C. Rambabu. Dr. Sayeed announced the Saudi government's decision to award 400 scholarships for Indian students to pursue undergraduate and post-graduate studies. "During my recent meeting with Minister of Education Dr. Hamad Al-Sheikh, he offered the scholarship for which we are extremely thankful to the Saudi government. Now we are in the process of identifying the exact mechanism to benefit from these scholarships," he said. The ambassador reiterated his resolve to bring about professionalism in the running of community schools. "As part of a serious drive to improve the academic and administrative standard of community schools, I had talked with chairman of Kendriya Vidyalaya about inviting Kendriya Vidyalaya to the Kingdom and the plan is in its initial stage. "We are thinking about introducing Kendriya Vidyalaya that spread all over India and some foreign countries to manage some of the community schools as a pilot project on experimental basis following the pattern of schools in Moscow, Kathmandu and Iran." Dr. Sayeed said that the Indian mission is working on tapping the vast potential of new technologies of AI and robotics by making them available to community school students. "As India is a leading country in terms of knowledge based industries and pioneer in startups and AI, there has to be a great emphasis on evolving newer technologies so that the children get accustomed to them in their school days. "As patron of Indian international schools in the Kingdom, I took up the matter of introducing these technologies from 7th grade itself during my discussions with school managing committees and the Higher Board," he said. The envoy underscored the need to follow models existing in different parts of the world where children are given hands-on opportunities for robotics and AI. "It is great that there are some organizations which are specifically promoting scientific thinking among the Indian Diaspora." He said that the embassy and consulate would do everything possible to facilitate Indian universities to come up and open their branches in Saudi Arabia. "Since KSA opened doors for foreign higher institutes of learning and universities, this is an excellent opportunity for Indian universities to come up and open their campuses. It will provide new opportunities for our children," he said. "We will give all kind of assistance for the universities that have the mandate or appetite to go abroad to open their off campuses. We are also happy to conduct the examinations, on their behalf, in the Kingdom, with embassy and consulate premises being exam centers free of charge without any liability to these universities," he said while noting that the Indian mission conducted Maulana Azad National Urdu University exam and is still conducting Indira Gandhi Open University (IGNO) exams. Earlier in the day, Dr. Sayeed held extensive talks on issues of mutual interest with leaders of around 25 community organizations representing various states of India. The talks figured mainly on labor and community related issues, as well as on difficulties related with passport and iqama (residency permit). As part of initiatives to reach out to the community and addressing its core issues, he also held also separate meetings with officials of Saudi Indian Business Network, Indian Pilgrims Welfare Forum, India Forum, Saudi Indian Engineers Forum, Saudi chapter of Institute of Chartered Accountants and other organizations. The leaders suggested such engagements should be continued at regular intervals. The ambassador advised members of the Indian community to abide by the Saudi rules and regulations of the Kingdom. "Indian community is being held in high esteem in the Kingdom as they are known for their professionalism, sincerity, commitment and valued contributions to the Kingdom," he lauded.
