The program reflects Aramco's determination to achieve an interaction with all sections of the society through introducing to them the vast horizons of modern science and technology and the scope for knowledge tourism in a realistic way, said Khalid Al-Falih, president and CEO of Saudi Aramco. Speaking to SPA, he said the program is part of the company’s strategy to take part in creating a knowledge-based society.

Al-Falih said the company’s strategy for citizens based on four pivotal points — society, environment, knowledge and economy. “Knowledge is the most important strategy that Aramco wants to share with the society. Hence, the company has established an extensive partnership with the education sector, in addition to setting up of training institutes in collaboration with the Technical and Vocational Training Corporation, besides launching an initiative to reach out to two million children in order to inculcate in them the love for science, technology and sports,” he said. He added that the value of citizenship that the Saudi Aramco pursues through the four pivotal points could be found in the ongoing cultural program. Al-Falih noted that his company’s main goal is the best utilization of the Kingdom’s mineral resources of oil and gas, and transform this wealth for the development of the economy.

“In addition to this, the company wants to contribute in upgrading the life of a Saudi man, as well as develop the thought, creativity and invention process in children. Through this cultural carnival, Aramco intends to create awareness among members of the society about the importance of science and technology and their role in achieving comprehensive national security and sustainable development,” he said.

Al-Falih said Saudi Aramco presents, through this program, a new tourism pattern in the Kingdom — knowledge tourism. “This will be added to the tourism configurations prepared by the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA) in various fields including sports and adventurism, heritage and culture, conferences and exhibitions, health and cure, nature, marketing, and studies,” he said.

According to Al-Falih, the Aramco pavilions display deep scientific concepts under one roof, with an objective of quenching the thirst for knowledge among members of the family and expanding the spectrum of their knowledge in culture and history, especially among children in whom lie the society’s hope for future. As part of the company’s social responsibility, it organized the program with scores of activities and competitions, aimed at spreading awareness and education on safety and security, in addition to organizing cultural and social programs to encourage volunteerism in youth. The event’s pavilions, featuring fabulous designs, draws huge number of visitors. The colorful pavilions include those for household safety programs, health, science and technology, environment protection, energy, world of Saudi Aramco, Qur’an printing, Saudi woman, and history of cultures.

Deputy Minister of Education Noura Al-Faiz visited on Tuesday the Aramco program. She disclosed that the ministry is prepared to form a partnership with Saudi Aramco in its future programs. She praised Aramco for its role in enhancing the culture of volunteerism among the youths through integrated and well-organized plans and programs. Al-Faiz commended Aramco’s initiative to sponsor, support and encourage the culture of volunteerism among young Saudi men and women through various programs and activities. “This contributed substantially in promoting awareness among the members of the society as a whole. Such activities would also promote domestic tourism throughout the Kingdom,” she said. Al-Faiz toured various pavilions and corners at the event, including the kids’ island.

Abdul Kareem Al-Najeedi, deputy director general of Human Resources Development Fund, was among the dignitaries who visited the pavilions on Thursday. Aramco’s Riyadh Region Director Khaled Al-Romaih accompanied him. Al-Najeedi appreciated the enthusiasm shown by young Saudi volunteers with their active participation in the event and 220 Saudi youth, including 80 women, are actively involved in the activities. Abdul Mohsen Al-Qattan, supervisor of volunteers, said that about 500 young Saudi men and women volunteered.

The Ministry of Health’s pavilion draws a large number of visitors. Ahmad Al-Zubaidi, deputy supervisor of the pavilion, said that as many as 338 men and 409 women have been benefited from the comprehensive medical tests at the pavilion.