Saudi Gazette report THE Royal Commission for Al-Ula on Monday launched an international scholarship program to forge a new generation of entrepreneurs and leaders who will change the face of the region. The scholarship program will offer the young men and women of the region a chance to make a major impact on Al-Ula's future. It will encourage students from Al-Ula to sharpen their entrepreneurial skills and innovation abilities to help shape the governorate’s future. Al-Ula, an ancient city 380 km of north of Madinah, is known for rich archeological heritage. An oasis in the verdant Wadi Al-Qura and the capital of the ancient north Arabian kingdoms of Dedan and Lihyan two millenniums ago, Al-Ula was an important way station and mercantile center on the frankincense trade route linking southern Arabia to Mesopotamia, Syria and Egypt. Al-Ula also serves as the gateway to Madain Saleh, the Kingdom’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site. Under the scholarship program, students from Al-Ula will be sent abroad to hone their skills at prestigious global academic institutions in the US, the UK, France and other parts of the world. They will have a chance to earn diplomas and Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in fields such as tourism, hospitality, agricultural technologies, archaeology, history and other specialisations that can help expedite Al-Ula development efforts. The commission is tasked with developing the Al-Ula governorate to make it one of the most important archaeological and cultural destinations in the Kingdom. Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman last year issued a royal decree for the establishment of a commission tasked with the development of Al-Ula to make it a major tourist attraction for both local and international travelers along with another important archeological site in the country, the Diriyah Gate. The Royal Commission for Al-Ula is an outgrowth of Vision 2030, the Kingdom's road map to the future. Among the many objectives of Vision 2030 is the development of the tourism infrastructure. The commission was formed “considering the importance of developing Al-Ula governorate in a way that matches its historical value and the historical sites it contains, and in line with the economic and cultural interests of the nation in line with the objectives of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030,” said the royal order in July 2017. The scholarship program was launched in the presence of the commission’s representatives and Al-Ula dignitaries as well as representatives from various academic institutions in the governorate and the local media during a press conference at the Al-Ula Educational Administration’s auditorium. “The program reflects the government’s keenness to build a generation equipped with specialized scientific knowledge as well as innovative leadership and entrepreneurship skills. Through this program, young men and women will support Al-Ula’s contributions to achieve the Vision 2030 objectives. Al-Ula has a rich archaeological and cultural history and natural resources that can enhance its position in the global tourism scene,” said Prince Badr Bin Abdullah Bin Farhan Al-Saud, governor of the Royal Commission for Al-Ula, in his comment on the launch of the scholarship program. Amro Saleh Al-Madani, CEO of the Royal Commission for Al-Ula, stressed that sustainable development is not just about the development of infrastructure, services, facilities and laws, but includes the building up of youth capabilities and training them to be future leaders. Empowering the youth is critical to the growth and development of any modern society. This program has been designed as a pioneering platform that produces highly-qualified citizens capable of transforming innovation and entrepreneurship ideas into reality to keep pace with Al-Ula’s future growth projects. “The program will not only qualify students academically but will also provide them self-development and skill enhancement courses. It consists of initiatives and activities that will certainly broaden the knowledge of the students and acquaint them with the best global practices through practical training, seminars and specialised workshops,” Al-Madani explained. Admission conditions for the program require that an applicant should be a Saudi citizen born in Al-Ula or has studied in Al-Ula for at least six years or the applicant’s father or mother is a Saudi citizen born in Al-Ula. More information can be found on the program’s website. The Royal Commission for Al-Ula has urged students, who meet the admission conditions, to enroll in the program and play a pivotal role in Al-Ula’s development plans. Applications to the program will be received through the website www.scholarship.rcu.gov.sa. The commission has urged interested students to apply from Jan. 28.