Ma’aden, along with other partners, has been developing the Wa’ad Al Shamal Minerals Industrial City in the Northern Borders Region, where MWSPC operates the phosphate industrial complex at the heart of the development. This will deliver a range of benefits to the people living in this remote area creating new jobs and delivering new economic opportunities.
When completed in 2042, it is estimated that the Industrial City will generate 24 billion SAR from non-oil sectors, contribute 3% to the Kingdom’s GDP and create 30,000 high-quality jobs for qualified Saudi youth, especially those local to the region.
To support this future skills pipeline, Ma’aden developed the Schools of Excellence program. This program consists of two high schools, one in Ar’ar (the Region’s capital) and another in Turaif, operated by the Dhahran Techno Valley Company. Since its inception, the program has established itself as the premier provider of the highest-quality high school education in the Northern Borders Region. One school has been ranked the 7th best high school in the entire Kingdom.
Ma’aden has taken the lead in advancing the mining and metals industry. We will continue to play this role in Saudi Arabia, and to build social, economic, and environmental resilience in our home communities and further afield, as we grow and expand into new markets worldwide.
Ma’aden has invested
into both schools over the past six years,
of which was invested in 2021,
out of a planned total of 150M SAR by the end of 2022. This represents a tremendous commitment to driving positive impact in Northern Borders communities.
The Schools of Excellence high schools are still in their early years, yet in 2021 the schools supported 691 students, an increase from 650 in 2020, and approximately 100 faculty and staff. Students admitted to the program are offered courses across key STEM subjects including math, sciences, and computer skills, as well as Arabic and English language, life skills, and safety courses.
Upon graduation, students meet and exceed the admission requirements of prestigious Saudi and international universities.
Ma’aden will continue to partner in this initiative, investing in growing the capabilities of local talent in the region and the general education system in the NBR. This will provide a springboard for success for future generations.
