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The Impact of COVID-19 on the Financial Markets, Energy Price and Exchange Rates of GCC Countries
No full textNo one denies that the COVID-19 health crisis has substantial impact on the financial markets of the globe. It is important to evaluate the performance of financial assets to understand the behaviour of financial markets during such significant event. Therefore, this research investigates the impact of COVID-19 on the GCC stock indices, currency exchange, and oil returns. By application of the event study (constant return Model) and standard Vector Auto-regression models, we examine the index returns of each country, oil price, and currency exchange before and after COVID-19 health crisis. We find that the COVID-19 has a short-term impact on the index returns of Saudi Arabia, and it has a short-term effect on the exchange returns of all GCC counties except Bahrain. However, the COVID-19 has no long-term impact on all selected variables of GCC. This study provides new insight into the financial market during external event which may have a direct or indirect effect on the performance of selected variables of GC
AI Enhanced Cyber Policy Assistant for IT Team
No full textSmall and medium-sized companies (SMCs) in Saudi Arabia face growing cyber-
security challenges due to limited in-house expertise, inadequate infrastructure, and
the increasing complexity of digital threats. Unlike large enterprises with dedicated
security teams, most SMCs rely on general IT sta↵ and lack the tools to e↵ectively
manage risks such as data breaches, ransomware, and regulatory non-compliance.
This project proposes a user-friendly, AI-powered web application specifically de-
signed to support Saudi Arabia’s SMCs in navigating cybersecurity policies and
practices. At its core is a chatbot that delivers personalized cybersecurity guid-
ance, helping users understand and meet the requirements of national regulations
particularly those set by the Saudi National Cybersecurity Authority (NCA)[10]
while also supporting alignment with international standards
FabLab as an Innovative Educational Approach in Higher Education
No full textThis chapter explores the concept of FabLabs as a transformative educational approach in higher education, tracing their origins to Professor Neil Gershenfeld's vision at MIT in 2001. FabLabs, or fabrication laboratories, serve as community-driven workshops equipped with digital fabrication tools that empower users to design and create physical objects from digital files. The rise of FabLabs in academic settings responds to the demand for institutions to prepare students with essential skills for the 21st-century workforce.
By emphasizing project-based and interdisciplinary learning, FabLabs enable students to translate theoretical insights into practical solutions for real-world challenges, embodying constructionist educational principles. The chapter discusses how FabLabs foster a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship, encouraging collaboration and the development of novel ideas and prototypes in a maker-centric environment.
Through a comprehensive examination of the theoretical foundations, pedagogical strategies, and implementation considerations for integrating FabLabs into higher education, the chapter highlights their numerous benefits, potential challenges, and best practices for successful application in academic contexts.This chapter explores FabLabs as an innovative educational approach in higher education, originating from Professor Neil Gershenfeld's vision at MIT in 2001. FabLabs, or fabrication laboratories, are community-driven workshops that provide access to digital fabrication tools, enabling users to design and create physical objects from digital files. Their emergence in higher education is driven by the need for institutions to equip students with skills for the 21st-century workforce. By facilitating project-based, interdisciplinary learning, FabLabs allow students to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world challenges, embodying the principles of constructionism. Moreover, they cultivate a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship, inspiring novel ideas and prototypes in a collaborative, maker-centric environment. This chapter comprehensively examines the theoretical foundations, pedagogical strategies, and implementation considerations necessary for the successful integration of FabLabs, highlighting their benefits, challenges, and best practices in higher education settings.N
Reflections of Morality: Analyzing Ethical Dilemmas and the Role of Interactive Narratives in Shaping Audience Engagement in Contemporary Cinema
No full textMin Turab (From Dust) follows a young woman grappling with the aftermath of a
traumatic accident that leaves her physically changed and emotionally paralyzed. The narrative
unfolds through fragmented, non-linear sequences—memories, dreams, and present moments
intertwining to depict the blurred boundaries between consciousness and denial. The audience
initially perceives the protagonist’s routine without understanding the extent of her suffering.
Gradually, her emotional and physical realities are revealed, culminating in a confrontation with
her reflection—symbolizing the moral dilemma of choosing to live despite irreversible loss.
Unlike conventional stories that move from conflict to resolution, Min Turab dwells in
the uncertain middle. It focuses on the psychological limbo before acceptance, exploring how the
inability to make a decision becomes, itself, a moral act. The film’s title, translating to “From
Dust,” captures this duality: fragility and rebirth, decay and creation. Dust becomes both the
residue of destruction and the raw material of renewal—a metaphor for the cyclical nature of
healing.
The film’s abstract visual style and sound design immerse viewers in the protagonist’s
perspective. Dreamlike sequences convey the disjointedness of trauma, while natural imagery—
dust, wind, water—serves as visual poetry for internal transformation. The color palette
transitions from muted tones to faint warmth, reflecting subtle shifts in her psychological state.
The choice of nonlinear editing mirrors the fragmented process of remembering and healing,
emphasizing that emotional recovery rarely follows a straight line.
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At its core, Min Turab is not only a story about survival but about moral reflection: how
does one define purpose when their identity and body have been altered? How does one learn to
live again without resentment? The film poses these questions to both protagonist and viewer
alike, positioning itself as a mirror through which audiences confront their own relationship to
choice, time, and forgiveness.This research dissects the correlation between ethical dilemmas, moral reflection and
audience engagement in contemporary cinema, bringing attention to how interactive narratives
can translate into emotional participation and ethical contemplation. By analyzing the creative
process and thematic framework of the short film Min Turab (From Dust), this study tackles
cinematic and psychological discourses that explore trauma, healing and moral choice in a
general manner. Drawing upon theories from film studies, ethics, and cognitive psychology, the
paper identifies how filmmakers can initiate participatory experiences that mirror the
complexities of moral decision-making in real life. The study utilizes qualitative methods,
including textual analysis, audience feedback and creative reflection. By comparing films such as
Black Mirror: Bandersnatch (2018), Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004), and Me
Before You (2016), this thesis reveals that interactive and emotionally charged cinema can
transform passive spectators into ethically engaged participants. Ultimately, the findings
demonstrate that film, as both an artistic and moral medium, possesses the potential to cultivate
empathy, introspection, and dialogue about the human condition
Travel Persona-Based Destinations Recommendation For Enhancing Tourism in Saudi Arabia
No full textIn recent years, Saudi Arabia has rapidly expanded its tourism sector, with new projects reshaping the landscape and offering unique, diverse experiences. This growth has led to a rising demand for personalized travel recommendations. By integrating AI, this vision becomes a reality through the development of traveler personas that suggest destinations based on individual preferences. This system is especially useful for users unfamiliar with the city, offering tailored suggestions—including lesser-known attractions—and helping them navigate an overwhelming number of options. Our approach involves creating a high-quality dataset of over 20,000 data points sourced from various platforms, ensuring accuracy and con sistency through preprocessing. The recommendation system uses this dataset and applies content-based filtering enhanced by language models (miniLMs) to generate personalized destination recommendations. It considers multiple features including user preferences, des tination themes, age group, budget, sentiment analysis, and travel keywords to improve the accuracy and relevance of suggestions. The primary goal of this project is to increase visitor satisfaction and support Vision 2030’s objective of positioning Saudi Arabia as a leading global tourism destination
Knowledge of the human papilloma virus and acceptance of its vaccine among male and female young adults in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia: A cross-sectional study.
No full textThis study assessed university students' awareness and knowledge of human papillomavirus (HPV) and its vaccine and willingness to accept vaccination in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and identified factors associated with these outcomes. This cross-sectional study was conducted in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The study population included university-level male and female students. During the first term of the 2023-2024 academic year, eligible participants were sent an online questionnaire. The study variables included measures of sociodemographic factors, awareness and knowledge of HPV and its vaccine, and vaccine acceptance. We conducted descriptive analysis of awareness, good knowledge, and willingness to accept vaccination, and multivariable logistic regression analyses to determine predictors of these outcomes. The study included 400 participants with a mean age of 21.4years, predominantly female and of Saudi nationality (93%). Awareness of HPV infection was reported by 49.3% of participants, while 44% were aware of the HPV vaccine. Among those aware of HPV, 82.2% recognized its link to cervical cancer, but misconceptions about HPV exist. Only 3.8% of participants had been vaccinated for HPV, and 33.5% expressed willingness to accept the vaccine. Age (per 1year increment; OR: 1.42, 95% CI: 1.25 to 1.62, < .001), mother's education level (doctorate or advanced degree vs. pre-high school; OR: 4.65, 95% CI: 1.51 to 14.32, = .007), and COVID-19 vaccine (received 3 doses vs.<3; OR: 3.12, 95% CI: 1.78 to 5.45, < .001) were significant predictors of better HPV awareness. Living abroad was significantly associated with higher HPV vaccination rates (OR: 4.39, 95% CI: 1.27 to 15.1, = .02). Male students were less likely to be willing to accept vaccination than females (OR: 0.38, 95% CI: 0.20 to 0.72, = .003). HPV awareness, knowledge, and vaccine acceptance remain low among Saudi university students, with very limited uptake. Older age, maternal education, and prior COVID-19 vaccination were key predictors of awareness, highlighting important targets for future public health strategies. Targeted university-based and digital interventions are urgently needed to address these gaps and support national and regional HPV vaccination strategies. Future research should evaluate the effectiveness of such interventions and explore cultural and gender-specific barriers to HPV vaccine uptake
ESG disclosures and board of directors’ characteristics evidence from Saudi Arabia
No full textThis study looks into how board composition affects Environmental, Social, and Governance
(ESG) disclosures made by Saudi Arabian publicly traded companies. Board independence,
gender diversity, board size, and attendance at meetings are the four main governance
characteristics that are the subject of this study. The report examines how these internal
governance structures affect ESG transparency, driven by Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 and the
growing legislative push for sustainability. Using a quantitative approach and secondary data
gathered from governance and annual reports from 2020 to 2024, the study applies multiple
regression analysis to a cross-sectional sample of 70 companies.
The findings show that ESG disclosures are positively and statistically significantly impacted
by board independence, gender diversity, and attendance at board meetings. On the other hand,
there is no discernible correlation between board size and financial factors including leverage,
bank size, and return on assets. The results show that internal board dynamics have a greater
influence on sustainability reporting in Saudi Arabia than firm size or profitability. This
emphasizes how important good governance is becoming in promoting moral and open
business practices in developing nations
Cultural Influences on Mental Health Stigma: How society views mental health
No full textMental health stigma remains a significant barrier to care in Arab and Muslim societies, shaped by
cultural, religious, and familial influences. This study investigates how incorporating Islamic
teachings into psychoeducational interventions can reduce stigma and encourage help-seeking
behavior. Drawing on a pre- and post-test quantitative design, 71 Saudi adults viewed a short
awareness video integrating psychological education with Islamic values. Using the Stigma Scale,
results revealed a statistically significant reduction in help-seeking avoidance and religious
influence on mental health attitudes, though no significant change was found in general or self-
stigma. These findings suggest that brief, culturally and religiously sensitive interventions can shift
some attitudinal barriers related to faith and mental health. The study highlights the importance of
engaging religious frameworks in mental health advocacy, offering practical implications for
policymakers, clinicians, and educators working in conservative cultural contexts. Future research
should expand sample diversity, include longitudinal follow-up, and explore the role of religious
figures in mental health education
