Abdullah Al-Rashid

What is Ithra’s function, and how does it fit within the strategy of Saudi Aramco?

Ithra is an institution supported by Aramco, and on the 75th anniversary of the company in 2008, King Abdullah joined in on the celebration. Aramco wanted to commemorate that moment by placing a marker on the future of its contributions to the community. The idea, at that time, was to create a cultural center. The core of it was the thought that if oil and energy were the source of prosperity for the Kingdom for the past 100 years, then the investment in human capital and people would be the source of growth for the next 100. In 2008, the cornerstone for Ithra was laid, and in 2018 its doors opened. Ithra’s strategy and mandate are to advance human potential in the areas of creativity and culture.

With Ithra’s presence in Dhahran, a city well known as the backbone of Saudi’s oil economy, what potential is on the horizon?

Dhahran is becoming known for more than just oil and gas, which fits within the national vision. But it actually predates that, being at the core of Ithra’s vision. The Eastern Province and the Dhahran area has a unique position for three reasons. The first is that we have an extremely vibrant industrial sector with one of the largest addresses for patents in the Middle East. This is a byproduct of the presence of Aramco and the many industrial facilities in the region. The second is academia; there are several high-ranking universities located in this part of Saudi. With Ithra and a few other players, there is a third reason for coming to non-profits and cultural institutions. That is a unique ecosystem that could be developed to help this part of Saudi Arabia blossom into a capital of a different quality. It is known as a capital of economic and industrial progress, and we believe it can also become a capital of creative advancement.