A royal decree has been issued to grant Saudi citizenship to a number of scientists, medical doctors, researchers, innovators, entrepreneurs, and distinguished talents with unique expertise and specializations. The announcement aligns with the Kingdom's efforts to attract experts and exceptional global talents in religious, medical, scientific, cultural, sports, and technological fields. This initiative aligns with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 objective of creating an attractive environment that encourages the retention and investment of exceptional creative minds. This decree is an extension of the Kingdom's ongoing efforts to attract notable talents whose expertise contributes significantly to economic development, health, culture, sports, and innovation. In 2021, a similar Royal decree was issued to confer Saudi citizenship upon the first bunch of distinguished individuals in these fields. The newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat reported on several notable individuals who have been granted Saudi citizenship by the recent royal decree.

Among them is Mehmood Khan, an American and the CEO of the Hevolution Foundation, who has been acknowledged for his significant contributions to the field of health sciences. Jackie Yi-Ru Ying, an American scientist of Singaporean origin, has also been granted Saudi citizenship. Ying was the initiating Executive Director of the Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology in Singapore and currently holds the position of leading the NanoBio Lab. Niveen Khashab, a renowned Lebanese scientist, has been conferred with Saudi citizenship for her exceptional scientific expertise and significant contributions to the fields of bioengineering and nanomaterials. Khashab is a founding member of the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology and has been an Associate Professor of Chemical Sciences and Engineering there since 2009. Noreddine Ghaffour, a French scientist, has been acknowledged for his proficiency in environmental science and engineering, specifically in the field of desalination technologies. Ghaffour holds a PhD in membrane separation techniques from the University of Montpellier. He is a Professor at KAUST.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan