One World International School (OWIS) in Riyadh has been recognized as the first Apple Distinguished School in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, for its integration of Apple technology across curriculum, giving a competitive digital advantage to students in an ecosystem that is configured to new-age standards.

Apple Distinguished School (ADS) is a recognition from Apple Inc. to schools that incorporate Apple technology in their learning environments. Schools with this status use Apple products such as iPads, Macbooks, Apple pens, Garage Band, and relevant hardware and software to seamlessly meet excellence in education by fostering creativity, communication, critical thinking, to deliver measurable academic outcomes.

This distinction reflects OWIS’s commitment to its long-term vision for technology-enabled education and digital excellence, underpinned by continuous professional development for staff. ADS representatives Ms. Sherifa Aly, Head of Education KSA, and Mr. Dmitrii Leshchinskii, Head of Business and Education KSA, visited the OWIS campus on 15 September 2025 to formally extend their congratulations.

Commenting on the recognition, OWIS principal Shannon Pipes said it is a validation of the school’s long-standing commitment to digital learning and student progress. “We are thrilled to receive this recognition. Through adoption of a comprehensive Apple ecosystem, we are witnessing a fundamental shift in student learning and teacher instruction.”

Ms Pipes added that being the first school in Saudi Arabia is a proud achievement, and the school plans to continue getting further support from Apple for its faculty and students. “The support from Apple has helped us build a culture of innovation and digital fluency in our school. With powerful tools at hand and limitless learning ahead, our journey is just beginning.”

OWIS is part of the Global School Group, an education network with presence in 12 countries, which has been a leader in Edtech through the embrace of smart personalised learning systems and empowering methods for superior pedagogy. Imparting technology-based future-relevant learning is at the core of OWIS, where technology is used not just as a tool, but as an integral part of pedagogy.

Please visit – https://owis.org/sa/owis/

أصبحت مدرسة ون وورلد الدولية في الرياض أول مدرسة آبل متميزة في المملكة العربية السعودية وذلك لدمجها تقنيات آبل في مناهجها الدراسية، مما يمنح الطلاب ميزة رقمية تنافسية ضمن بيئة تعليمية متطورة ومصممة وفقًا لمعايير العصر الرقمي.

تُعد “مدرسة أبل المتميزة (ADS)” تقديراً تمنحه شركة آبل للمدارس التي تدمج تقنياتها في بيئات التعلم الخاصة بها. وتستخدم المدارس الحاصلة على هذا التصنيف منتجات آبل مثل الآيباد، الماك بوك، أقلام آبل، تطبيق GarageBand، بالإضافة إلى الأجهزة والبرامج ذات الصلة، لتحقيق التميز التعليمي من خلال تعزيز الإبداع، التواصل، والتفكير النقدي، بما يساهم في تحقيق نتائج أكاديمية قابلة للقياس.

ويعكس هذا التميز التزام مدرسة OWIS برؤيتها طويلة المدى للتعليم المعزز بالتكنولوجيا والتميز الرقمي، والمدعوم بالتطوير المهني المستمر للكوادر التعليمية.

وقد زار ممثلا آبل، السيدة شريفة علي، رئيسة قسم التعليم في المملكة العربية السعودية، والسيد ديميتري ليشينسكي، رئيس قسم الأعمال والتعليم في المملكة، حرم مدرسة OWIS في 15 سبتمبر 2025، لتقديم التهاني رسميًا للمدرسة.

وعلقت مديرة المدرسة، السيدة شانون بايبس، على هذا التكريم بقولها إنه يعد تأكيدًا على التزام المدرسة المستمر بالتعليم الرقمي وتقدم الطلاب. “نحن فخورون للغاية بالحصول على هذا التقدير. فمن خلال اعتماد منظومة متكاملة من تقنيات آبل، نشهد تحولًا جوهريًا في طريقة تعلم الطلاب وأساليب التدريس لدى المعلمين.”

وأضافت السيدة بايبس أن كون المدرسة الأولى في المملكة العربية السعودية التي تنال هذا التميّز يُعد إنجازًا يدعو للفخر، مشيرة إلى أن المدرسة تخطط للاستمرار في الحصول على المزيد من الدعم من شركة آبل لأعضاء هيئة التدريس والطلاب.

وأوضحت “لقد ساعدنا دعم شركة آبل في بناء ثقافة الابتكار والكفاءة الرقمية في مدرستنا. ومع توفر أدوات فعالة بين أيدينا وآفاق تعلم لا حدود لها أمامنا، فإن رحلتنا قد بدأت للتو.”

وتُعد OWIS جزءًا من مجموعة Global School Group، وهي شبكة تعليمية تتواجد في 12 دولة، وتُعتبر رائدة في مجال التعليم التقني (EdTech) من خلال تبني أنظمة تعليمية ذكية ومخصصة، وأساليب التعليم المبتكرة التي تعزز جودة التدريس.

ويكمن جوهر رؤية OWIS في تقديم تعليم قائم على التكنولوجيا يواكب متطلبات المستقبل، حيث لا تُستخدم التكنولوجيا كأداة فقط، بل تُدمج كجزء أساسي في العملية التعليمية.

للمزيد، يُرجى زيارة: https://owis.org/sa/owis/

In an era where technology revolutionizes industries at an unprecedented pace, Samsung Electronics is boldly positioning itself as a leader not just in consumer gadgets but as a strategic partner in enterprise transformation. At the helm of this vision is Dr. Samir Khayat, a seasoned executive with over 25 years of experience in complex systems, security solutions, and defense programs.

With a remarkable career blending technical expertise and strategic leadership, Dr. Khayat now drives Samsung’s enterprise business in Saudi Arabia,championing innovation, fostering strategic partnerships, and steering the company’s growth across key industry verticals such as healthcare, education, finance, and smart cities

We sat down with Dr. Khayat to explore Samsung’s enterprise strategy, the evolving landscape of digital transformation, and the bold initiatives that are shaping the future of business technology in the region.

            Given your diverse experience, how is Samsung shaping its strategy to solidify its position in the B2B and enterprise markets within Saudi Arabia and beyond?

Our approach is multi-faceted. First, we’re focusing on understanding the unique needs of regional industries like healthcare, education, defense, or smart city initiatives, and tailoring solutions that fit those specific challenges.

Second, we’re strengthening our strategic alliances with government bodies, system integrators, and telecom providers, which allows us to offer comprehensive and scalable solutions. Lastly, innovation and continuous improvement form the backbone of our strategy,staying ahead of technological trends to deliver value-driven solutions that distinguish us in the market.

            You mentioned key sectors like healthcare and smart cities. Which of these do you see as having the most growth potential, and how is Samsung capitalizing on these opportunities?

Healthcare and smart city projects are particularly promising. With the rising demand for connected healthcare solutions and efficient urban infrastructure, these sectors are ripe for transformation. Samsung’s strength lies in providing integrated solutions like digital displays, sensor networks, and secure communication systems that enhance operational efficiency and user experience.

We’re actively collaborating with local governments and private sector partners to develop smart city infrastructure, think of intelligent lighting, surveillance, and healthcare monitoring systems, that improve quality of life and operational sustainability. It’s about creating ecosystems that are scalable and future-proof.

            Samsung’s reputation is well-known globally, but how are you positioning the company as a true partner in digital transformation, beyond hardware?

We see ourselves as an enabler of change. Our solutions are designed to integrate seamlessly into existing business processes, providing not just hardware but the software, analytics, and support needed for true digital transformation.

For instance, our visual display solutions like LED screens and digital signage are now part of larger, connected systems that support data collection, customer engagement, and automation. It’s about offering end-to-end solutions that empower enterprise clients to innovate and stay competitive.

            Partnerships are integral to this journey. How does Samsung plan to expand its ecosystem through collaborations?

Building a robust ecosystem requires collaboration. We’re actively forming alliances with government agencies, software developers, cloud providers, and other stakeholders. These partnerships enable us to develop integrated solutions tailored to regional needs.

Our goal is to foster an innovation ecosystem where our technologies are complemented by local and global partners, creating a seamless experience for enterprises and ensuring scalability across different markets.

            Let’s talk about innovation. In your view, which emerging verticals such as smart workplaces and connected healthcare hold the most promise for Samsung to lead in the near future?

Certainly, these are two of the most promising areas. Smart workplaces leverage IoT, AI, and cloud computing to create more efficient, flexible, and safe working environments. Samsung’s expertise in display technology, coupled with data analytics, puts us in a strong position to develop integrated smart workspace solutions that improve collaboration and productivity.

Similarly, connected healthcare is transforming patient monitoring, telemedicine, and hospital management. Our advanced display solutions, sensors, and secure networks enable healthcare providers to deliver better patient care while optimizing operational workflows. Samsung aims to be at the forefront of these digital health solutions by innovating at the intersection of hardware and software.

            How does Samsung ensure its regional strategies align with its larger global enterprise goals, especially when market needs vary significantly across countries?

This is a vital aspect of our strategic planning. While regional markets have unique requirements, we establish a common framework focused on scalability, security, and innovation that aligns with Samsung’s global vision.

We adapt local solutions to meet specific industry needs while maintaining core standards and interoperability. Regular coordination with our global teams ensures consistency, scalability, and best practices, so that our regional offerings contribute to and benefit from the broader corporate strategy.

            How does Samsung ensure its regional strategies align with its larger global enterprise goals, especially when market needs vary significantly across countries?

Fostering a culture of innovation starts with empowerment and continuous learning. We encourage our teams to think creatively, experiment with new ideas, and learn from both success and failure.

Mentorship programs, leadership training, and cross-functional projects are key components. We aim to identify high-potential talent early, provide them with challenging opportunities, and nurture their growth into future leaders who can drive Samsung’s strategic initiatives forward.

            From a performance standpoint, what KPIs or metrics does Samsung focus on to measure success in the enterprise segment?

We emphasize a balanced scorecard approach,combining financial metrics such as revenue growth, market share, and profitability with customer satisfaction scores, project delivery times, and partner engagement levels.

Moreover, we track innovation indicators like new solution deployments and ecosystem collaborations. These KPIs help us ensure sustainable growth, operational excellence, and a strong value proposition for our clients.

            How does Samsung prioritize building long-term relationships with enterprise clients, especially in a competitive landscape?

At the core, it’s about trust and consistently delivering value. We focus on understanding each client’s unique challenges and tailoring solutions to their needs. Providing exceptional service, proactive support, and continuous innovation builds confidence and loyalty.

We also engage in regular communication, seek feedback, and anticipate upcoming challenges,so we can proactively develop solutions before issues arise. This customer-centric mindset enables us to foster long-term, mutually beneficial relationships.”

            Finally, what strategies does Samsung employ to ensure it remains agile and responsive to the evolving needs of enterprise customers?

Innovation and listening are key. We invest heavily in market intelligence and maintain close ties with our clients, partners, and industry thought leaders.

Agility comes from fostering a culture of continuous improvement within our teams, enabling rapid deployment of new solutions and quick adaptation to market trends. By maintaining flexibility and a customer-first approach, Samsung ensures it stays ahead of the curve and delivers impactful, future-ready solutions.