Speaker Details

Mr. Abdulaziz Al Hegelan

Executive Director, Mishkat Interactive Center

Country: Saudi Arabia

Biography:

Abdulaziz received his Bachelor degree in Industrial Engineering from King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in 2011. He attended Executive Education Programs in 2016 in two of the most prestigious universities in the USA: Finance and Accounting for Non-Financial Managers at Wharton, and Business Dynamics at MIT.
Abdulaziz joined the Mishkat Interactive Centre for Atomic and Renewable Energy in 2013 as Maintenance Engineer; he was responsible for planning PMV and spare parts programs, in addition to leading the AV systems and maintenance teams. Within less than three years, he occupied several management roles that made him an expert in the field of science museums operation. During his work in Mishkat, he has managed several projects and conferences, including the development of a travelling exhibition for K.A.CARE (Mishkat’s solo funder), and managing its participation in COP20Lima, COP21-Paris, and COP22-Marrakesh, where he acted as the Head of Delegation during the operational period of these three UN events.
In February 2016, Abdulaziz was promoted to Deputy Executive Director, overlooking all operations, logistics, and budget control functions. After less than four years since joining the Center, and while he is still in his twenties, has been appointed Executive Director of Mishkat, managing all of its functions and making sure all objectives are achieved.
In addition to his role in Mishkat, Abdulaziz works as a business development specialist and serves as a consultant for some educational and science oriented organizations.

Status:

Papers/Presentations

SECURING A FUTURE FOR A GROWING SCIENCE CENTER

Kingdom Saudi Arabia is transforming rapidly and across all aspects of society. There are significant changes in educational, entertainment, and cultural sectors, which are impacting on the young population. Mishkat Interactive Center for Atomic and Renewable Energy is a launch-pad for learning and inspiring a new generation of Saudi energy innovators. Mishkat’s hub is a state-of-the-art science center in Riyadh; its reach is Kingdom wide.

Mishkat has been laying the groundwork for these initiatives with its award winning public program focusing on science and renewable energy since 2011. It develops activities, films, performances, and festivals that have attracted tens of thousands to its center in Riyadh and to more as part of its outreach and ambassador program.

With an audience becoming more used to new formats and platforms from outside KSA and with new projects looming, how can Mishkat sustain its visitor base with such an increase in competition and what lessons have been valuable in planning its future? This presentation will focus on the challenges Mishkat faces as it adjusts to its expanding role and remit societal changes in Saudi Arabia, and to its shift towards increasing its public audiences.

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