Saudi Arabia To Grant Citizenship To Distinguished Global Talents, Boosting Vision 2030 Goals
A Royal Decree has been issued to grant Saudi citizenship to several distinguished individuals, including scientists, medical doctors, researchers, innovators, and entrepreneurs, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) on Thursday.
This initiative aligns with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 goal of creating an environment that attracts and retains talents. The Kingdom aims to foster investment in creative minds across various fields such as religion, medicine, science, culture, sports, and technology.
The decree is part of ongoing efforts to bring in prominent talents whose expertise significantly contributes to economic development, health, culture, sports, and innovation. This move supports the broader strategy of enhancing the Kingdom's global competitiveness by leveraging unique skills and specializations.
A similar Royal decree was issued in 2021 to grant citizenship to a select group of distinguished talents in these fields. This continuity underscores the Kingdom's commitment to attracting high-caliber professionals who can drive forward its ambitious plans.
Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper highlighted several notable individuals who have been granted Saudi citizenship under the recent decree. Among them is Mehmood Khan, an American CEO of the Hevolution Foundation, recognized for his contributions to health sciences.
Jackie Yi-Ru Ying, an American scientist of Singaporean origin, has also received Saudi citizenship. Ying was the founding Executive Director of the Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology in Singapore and currently leads the NanoBio Lab.
Lebanese scientist Niveen Khashab has been honored with Saudi citizenship for her advanced scientific expertise and contributions to bioengineering and nanomaterials. Khashab is a founding member of King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) and has been an Associate Professor there since 2009.
Noreddine Ghaffour, a French scientist specializing in environmental science and engineering, particularly desalination technologies, has also been recognized. Holding a PhD in membrane separation techniques from the University of Montpellier, Ghaffour is a Professor at KAUST.
This strategic move by Saudi Arabia aims to build a diverse pool of experts who can contribute significantly across various sectors. By granting citizenship to these distinguished individuals, the Kingdom seeks to enhance its intellectual capital and drive forward its Vision 2030 objectives.
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