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His Royal Highness Prince Saud bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz, Governor of the Eastern Province and Chairman of the Eastern Province Development Authority, sponsored today, Tuesday, at the Emirate headquarters, the signing of an agreement between the Eastern Province Development Authority and the Al-Fawzan Community Service Program to establish “Ufuq,” the first sensory recreational hall for individuals with autism spectrum disorder at the Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Center for Science and Technology (SciTech). The agreement aims to provide a specialized sensory environment for individuals with autism spectrum disorder and enhance the quality of services provided to them, contributing to improving their quality of life and supporting their integration into society.
HRH the Governor affirmed that creating an appropriate environment for individuals with autism spectrum disorder, while supporting and empowering them, contributes to enhancing their quality of life and promoting their integration into society. His Highness highlighted the importance of coordinated efforts among government entities, the nonprofit sector, and the private sector to launch initiatives that address the needs of this valued segment of society and provide greater opportunities to benefit from educational, recreational, and rehabilitation programs, enhancing their capabilities and contributing to development and quality-of-life objectives.
Dr. Talal bin Nabil Al-Maghlouth, CEO of the Eastern Province Development Authority, expressed his thanks and appreciation to HRH the Governor, Chairman of the Authority’s Board, for his support and guidance in developing SciTech in partnership with various sectors across the region. He also thanked HRH the Deputy Governor, Deputy Chairman of the Board and Chairman of its Executive Committee, for his continued follow-up of the Authority’s initiatives.
Al-Maghlouth affirmed that the agreement reflects the Authority’s commitment to delivering impactful initiatives that address the needs of diverse community groups and enhance quality of life. He noted that SciTech’s vision is to become an inspiring community platform that makes science accessible to all, transforms learning into an enjoyable experience, and celebrates culture as a shared value through an interactive environment that fosters collaboration among different segments of society. He also highlighted the center’s role in providing enriching experiences, stimulating creativity and innovation, preparing a promising generation, and building a more prosperous society.
For his part, Mr. Abdullah bin Abdul Latif Al-Fawzan, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Al-Fawzan Community Service Program, affirmed that the project is aligned with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, which places quality of life, the development of sustainable and inclusive services, the empowerment of beneficiaries, and social integration at the heart of its priorities.
He explained that the “Ufuq” hall project builds on the experience of the Abdul Latif Al-Fawzan Autism Center “Afaq,” which has supported and integrated more than 100 children with autism spectrum disorder and has twice received accreditation from the National Autistic Society (NAS) in the United Kingdom for its adherence to professional standards in service delivery. He added that the hall’s design is inspired by the patterns and colors of Al Khobar’s cultural and heritage identity.
