International Education Week events that started on Monday and will run through to Friday would help boost a love for learning in the Kingdom, local educationists said.

“The event engenders a love for learning, which is very important for young people who will take over as leaders of the nation from their elders,” said Saad Al-Bazei, a Shoura member and former professor at King Saud University.

As part of local celebrations, Radio Riyadh hosted a program last Wednesday night, which allowed students to call in with questions. Many asked how they could get scholarships to study in the United States. Yahaira Pineda, a senior education adviser at the US Embassy, representing the US education office, answered questions.

Stressing the importance of the event, Al-Bazei quoted the late South African president Nelson Mandela, who said: “Education is the most powerful weapon that we can use to change the world.” Al-Bazei said citizens must be ready for the continuous change taking place in the country.

“Moreover, education is not preparation for life, education is life itself,” said Al-Bazei, quoting John Dewey, the late American philosopher and educator.

Al-Bazei, who is an author in English and Arabic and former director general of the defunct Riyadh Daily, received his doctorate from the University of Purdue in the United States.

Mohsin Shaikh Al-Hassan, also an author and Islamic scholar, said education was difficult but paid off handsomely.

“Many of the older generation of Saudis spent much time and money educating themselves and their sacrifices are now paying off. They now have good jobs,” said Al-Hassan, who also studied in the United States for his doctorate degree.

Khaled Alolaiwi, a Saudi media entrepreneur and television anchor who also studied in the United States, said International Education Week was very important.

 
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