Riyadh, March 08, 2024, The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, in collaboration with Microsoft, has unveiled a new Center of Excellence as part of the Future Skills initiative. This initiative aims to empower professionals across Saudi Arabia with advanced skills essential for success in the evolving digital era, ultimately enhancing the employability of the Kingdom's current and future workforce. The announcement was made during LEAP 2024, a gathering of global innovators, IT experts, and industry leaders showcasing the latest technological advancements.
The Center of Excellence is a joint effort between the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology and Microsoft, aligning with the objectives of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 for a diversified and thriving economy. This initiative underscores Microsoft's commitment to providing Saudi Arabia's workforce with the necessary skills to effectively utilize the latest cloud and AI technologies, complementing the company's investment in a new cloud datacenter region in the Kingdom. The datacenter is poised to be a catalyst for digital innovation and economic growth, equipping local talent with essential digital skills for cloud computing and AI.
Microsoft's dedication to talent development in Saudi Arabia is evident through programs like the Global Skills initiative, benefiting over 108,000 professionals. Collaborations with the Ministry of Education, such as the Madrasti Codes program, have trained over 250,000 teachers and impacted 5.6 million students. The MS-Learn program has reached more than 70,000 students.
Ibrahim Al-Nasser, Deputy Minister for Future Jobs and Capabilities, expressed that the Center of Excellence is a significant milestone in accelerating digital transformation and contributing to Saudi Arabia's digital economy growth, aligning with the vision of a highly innovative and knowledge-based economy.
The Center of Excellence aims to enhance the technical skills of students and the Kingdom's workforce, featuring a Cloud Academy in collaboration with Tuwaiq Academy. This academy will offer globally recognized, industry-endorsed skilling tracks in cloud computing, AI, IoT, and Generative AI.
Turki Badhris, President of Microsoft Arabia, emphasized the importance of a highly skilled workforce in driving innovation and economic growth. The Center of Excellence is designed to cater to various demographics, offering training programs and acting as a strategic knowledge partner for initiatives like the AI Community Skilling program with Noon Academy.
