logo
SDB supports students with new ‘Education Financing' product

SDB supports students with new ‘Education Financing' product

Arab News21 hours ago
The Social Development Bank has launched a new product to empower students to pursue their post-secondary education through digital financing solutions. The 'Education Financing' product seeks to expand access to knowledge and provide financial support to ambitious students at the diploma, bachelor's, and master's levels.
This initiative aligns with SDB's efforts to enhance integration between educational and financial institutions via a unified digital platform. The platform enables students to submit applications and complete procedures quickly and easily through an integrated process that begins with academic and financial eligibility checks and ends with the direct disbursement of funds to accredited educational institutions.
The maximum financing amount available through 'Education Financing' is SR100,000 ($26,660), which can be disbursed either in installments or as a lump sum, depending on the nature of the academic program. The entire financing process is managed electronically, ensuring the highest standards of governance and data integration.
SDB's dedicated education portal provides a comprehensive digital platform that allows students to apply and enables educational institutions to review applications and verify eligibility. Funds are disbursed directly to these institutions, ensuring that support reaches eligible students and contributes to improving the quality of educational services in line with Saudi Vision 2030.
SDB has signed a strategic agreement with JeelPay — the first fintech company licensed by the Saudi Central Bank to provide education financing — to offer SR50 million in funding for students seeking to continue their academic journey. The agreement supports the 'Education Financing' product indirectly through a dedicated financing portfolio aimed at supporting students at the diploma, bachelor's, and master's levels using advanced financial technologies.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

America's AI energy revolution has global stakes
America's AI energy revolution has global stakes

Arab News

time6 minutes ago

  • Arab News

America's AI energy revolution has global stakes

The next great American industrial revolution is not being shaped in think tanks; it is being built in real time. In Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, once a powerhouse of steel and smoke, the US has launched a future rooted in artificial intelligence, energy innovation and industrial revival. What unfolded at the Pennsylvania Energy and Innovation Summit last week was not just a domestic policy pivot. It was a global declaration. With more than $90 billion in private sector commitments, this initiative, spearheaded by the President Donald Trump-aligned state administration and welcomed by leaders on both sides of the aisle, sends a clear message to the world: the US intends to lead the AI era with power, precision and pragmatism. That message matters far beyond American borders. For leaders across the Middle East, this moment is worth watching, not just because of its scale but because of what it signals: the future of AI will be forged by the nations that control the energy, infrastructure and values that guide its use. AI is not an abstract Western luxury. It will soon define everything from national security and energy management to education, agriculture and healthcare. AI is already reshaping global trade, defense and diplomacy. In the Middle East, governments are investing heavily in smart cities, surveillance systems, digital health and fintech, all of which are powered by AI. But AI is not magic; it demands enormous amounts of energy to train, deploy and sustain. The summit in Pennsylvania highlighted this reality with refreshing honesty. Rather than chasing slogans or downplaying the environmental and industrial demands of AI, American leaders there did something rare: they confronted the energy challenge head-on. Their answer? Build data centers adjacent to power plants, particularly those utilizing natural gas and nuclear energy. This strategy, known as co-location, dramatically improves efficiency and allows for rapid expansion. It offers a potential model for energy-rich nations worldwide to consider as they scale up their own AI ambitions. Many global commentators will ask: is this American model just a return to fossil fuels? Is it an environmental rollback? The answer is not that simple. Washington is not abandoning its climate goals. However, it acknowledges a simple truth: wind and solar are essential, but they cannot yet deliver the reliable, large-scale power that AI systems need. For now, only natural gas and nuclear energy can provide that kind of steady and scalable supply. This is not about giving up on renewables; it is a practical step. A way to keep innovation moving forward while the clean energy future catches up. For Middle Eastern countries, especially those investing in AI through sovereign wealth funds and national tech strategies, this approach resonates. Gulf states like Saudi Arabia and the UAE are threading this same needle: investing in renewables while recognizing the transitional role of hydrocarbons and nuclear energy. What the US is doing in Pennsylvania may not just inspire them but also offer a playbook. At its core, the summit's announcements promise more than megawatts and microchips. They offer a blueprint for economic dignity. America's heartland, often overlooked by globalization, is being revitalized through high-skilled, future-focused jobs in energy, cybersecurity, engineering and data science. This is a model the world can learn from. Instead of viewing AI as a threat to traditional labor, the US is building an industrial policy that connects digital growth to human opportunity. The lesson is clear: if AI is built in a vacuum, it will deepen inequality. If it is built alongside energy, training and infrastructure, it can be a ladder. A new partnership model could emerge, in which US AI expertise is combined with Middle Eastern energy foresight. Dalia Al-Aqidi For Middle Eastern countries investing in youth-driven economies, that distinction is crucial. The AI revolution must be both technological and human. There is a bigger reason the summit matters: it proves that who builds AI, and the values behind it, matter. By leading with clean energy and private sector strength, America is doing more than securing its own future — it is offering a better option for others. The global market now has a choice: work with a democratic AI system built on trust and cooperation or risk getting locked into one built for control, not collaboration. Washington is not looking to go it alone. At the summit, Trump and others emphasized the importance of international cooperation, especially with energy producers and tech innovators abroad. That is where the Middle East comes in. The region is home to some of the world's most ambitious AI visions, from Saudi Arabia's NEOM to the UAE's national AI strategy. It is also home to some of the world's most valuable energy assets. A new partnership model could emerge, in which American AI expertise is combined with Middle Eastern energy foresight, leading to shared leadership in the Fourth Industrial Revolution. This is not science fiction. It is strategic alignment. Of course, no policy is perfect. Environmental concerns must be addressed and the digital divide must be bridged, not just within nations but between them. However, what is clear is that a vacuum of leadership is no longer an option. The world needs bold ideas and, more importantly, the courage to act on them. What happened in Pennsylvania is not a solution for every country. But it is a signal to all: the AI energy era has arrived and the stakes are global. What happens in places like Pittsburgh will shape how AI develops, how energy is used and how the world moves forward. This is not a threat, it is an opportunity for several nations to work together on a smarter, safer and more connected future. As we enter a new industrial age, the real questions are: who will lead it and what values will shape the path ahead?

Recognized, independent Palestinian state could unlock disputed gas wealth, expert says
Recognized, independent Palestinian state could unlock disputed gas wealth, expert says

Arab News

time2 hours ago

  • Arab News

Recognized, independent Palestinian state could unlock disputed gas wealth, expert says

LONDON: Official recognition of a Palestinian state would end legal ambiguities over the Gaza Marine gas field and secure the Palestinian Authority's right to develop its most valuable natural resource, according to energy expert Michael Barron. Barron, author of 'The Gaza Marine Story,' estimates the field could generate $4 billion in revenue at current prices, with the PA reasonably earning $100 million annually for 15 years, The Guardian reported on Sunday. 'The revenues would not turn the Palestinians into the next Qataris or Singaporeans, but it would be their own revenue and not aid, on which the Palestinian economy remains dependent,' he said. Gas was discovered in 2000 in the Gaza Marine field, a joint venture between BG Gas and the Palestinian Consolidated Contractors Co. Despite initial hopes of ending energy shortages in the Gaza Strip, the project has been repeatedly stalled over ownership disputes, lack of sovereignty, and political instability. 'The Oslo Accords agreed in 1993 clearly give the Palestinian National Authority jurisdiction over territorial waters, the subsoil, power to legislate over oil and gas exploration and to award licenses to do so,' Barron said. 'Control over natural resources was an important element of (the) state-building agenda of the Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat. Israeli exploitation of Palestinian resources was and remains a central part of the conflict,' he added. Israel has historically blocked development over concerns that revenue could reach Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip. An Israeli court once ruled the waters a 'no-man's water' due to the PA's lack of sovereignty, and Israel has long claimed any license 20 miles off the Gaza coast should be seen as a gift, not a right. Barron said that if Palestine were recognized as a state, particularly by countries where major oil firms are based, it would 'effectively end the legal ambiguity' and allow the PA to develop the field and achieve energy independence from Israel. A separate controversy has emerged over Israeli-issued gas licenses in a disputed area known as Zone G. Lawyers acting for Palestinian human rights groups recently warned Italian energy firm Eni not to proceed with exploration, saying 'Israel cannot have validly awarded you any exploration rights and you cannot validly have acquired any such rights.' Eni has since told Italian campaigners that 'licenses have not yet been issued and no exploratory activities are in progress.' Activist group Global Witness also argues the East Mediterranean Gas pipeline, which passes through waters claimed by Palestine, is unlawful and does not provide any revenue to the PA. The 56-mile pipeline transports gas from Ashkelon in Israel to Arish in Egypt for export. The issue has gained new attention following a UN report by Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese. She warned corporations of their potential legal liability for supporting Israel's occupation of Palestinian territory, citing international court rulings. Her report concluded companies have a 'prima facie responsibility 'to not engage and/or to withdraw totally and unconditionally from any associated dealings with Israel, and to ensure that any engagement with Palestinians enables their self-determination.'' Israel has rejected the report in full. Barron argues that, with Israel now self-sufficient in gas, 'so long as a Palestinian state with unified governance is recognized, Israel will have no motive or legal right to block Palestine exploiting its single greatest natural resource.'

Marketing Home issues prospectus to list 4.8M shares on TASI
Marketing Home issues prospectus to list 4.8M shares on TASI

Argaam

time4 hours ago

  • Argaam

Marketing Home issues prospectus to list 4.8M shares on TASI

Marketing Home Group Co. set a price range for its initial public offering (IPO) on the Main Marlet (TASI). The shares represent 30% of the company's SAR 160 million share capital, divided into 16 million shares, each with a nominal value of SAR 10. For More IPOs The IPO price will be determined after the book-building process. The subscription period will run for two working days, from Aug. 19-20. According to the prospectus, the book-building process and subscription period for participating entities will run from Aug. 3 to Aug. 7. The Capital Market Authority (CMA) approved in March 17 the company's application to list its shares on TASI. The subscription is limited to two categories of investors: Tranche (A) Participating Entities: This tranche includes the parties entitled to participate in the book-building process in accordance with the book-building instructions, including investment funds, companies, qualified foreign investors, GCC corporate investors, and certain other foreign investors pursuant to swap agreements. Tranche (B) Individual Subscribers: This tranche includes natural Saudi individuals, non-Saudi residents in the Kingdom, and GCC nationals. To be eligible, they must have an investment account and an active portfolio with a receiving agent and must also be eligible to open an investment account with a financial market institution. Key background Marketing Home Group is a privately held Saudi joint-stock company based in Riyadh. It began as a sole proprietorship in 2005. The group focuses on construction materials and brand development and management. Its activities include manufacturing concrete, cement, gypsum, and structural metal products, as well as building construction. The company also engages in wholesale fuel trading, solid, liquid, and gas and retail sales of hardware, paint, glass, home appliances, and furniture. It provides land freight and warehousing services. Its main business lines cover tiles and accessories, lighting products, sanitaryware, and HVAC systems. Company Profile Company Marketing Home Group Core Activities Specialized in building materials and brand management Capital SAR 160 mln Number of Shares 16 mln Share Par Value SAR 10 IPO Summary Issue Percentage 30% Offered shares 4.8 mln shares Total No. of Shares Offered to Individual Investors 960,000 shares (20%) IPO Minimum Limit (Participating Entities) 50,000 shares IPO Minimum Limit (Individual Subscribers) 10 shares IPO Maximum Limit (Participating Entities) 799,990 shares IPO Maximum Limit (Individual Subscribers) 250,000 shares Offer period From Aug. 19-20, 2025 Final Allocation Aug. 24, 2025 Refund (if any) Aug. 27, 2025 Company Shareholders Shareholders Before IPO After IPO Number of Shares (mln shares) Ownership (%) Number of Shares (mln shares) Ownership (%) Musaad Algfari 6.40 39.98% 4.48 27.99% Ali Al-Dosari 5.42 33.86% 3.79 23.70% Mohammed AlZamil 1.33 8.31% 0.93 5.82% Other Shareholders 2.85 17.85% 2.00 12.49% Public -- -- 4.80 30.0% Total 16.00 100% 16.00 100% *Ocean Line is wholly owned by ARASCO, which holds the company's entire capital directly and indirectly before the offering.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store