SAP has announced it is increasing its investment in Saudi Arabia, a critically important market for the global technology company. 

 

To enable further co-innovation with new and existing customers and partners, SAP has launched a first-of-its-kind regional SAP Innovation Hub in the kingdom and will also open an SAP Experience Centre in Khobar this month. 

 

In addition, SAP is extending its elite programme for training in advanced technology skills, organised in collaboration with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT), until at least 2025. 

 

Ministry collaboration

Eng Haitham AlOhali, Saudi Vice Minister At Ministry of Communications & Information, said: “As Saudi Arabia increasingly diversifies its economy and strategically deploys technology to transform key industries, it is vital that organisations such as SAP invest further in their operations and training across the kingdom. The Ministry is collaborating with SAP to support the creation of a digital-centric workforce enabled by training programmes such as the SAP Academy of Engineering. 

 

“We encourage a collaborative approach to leveraging new technologies for the benefit of all organisations and individuals. One example of how this can be achieved is through the new Innovation Hub, where SAP will work with partners and customers to solve challenges facing companies today, while also creating new best practices across diverse industries.”

 

Ahmed AlFaifi, SVP & MD, Middle East Africa – North, said: “We are committed to supporting the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 and the kingdom’s role in championing regional digital transformation and harnessing new technologies in a responsible way to benefit the region. Our investment in the SAP Experience Centre and Innovation Hub as well as the SAP Academy of Engineering is part of our four-pronged strategy to support the rapid development of the kingdom’s digital market, alongside accelerating new technology adoption and establishing a robust partner ecosystem.”

 

SAP Experience Centre and Innovation Hub

AlFaifi explained that the SAP Innovation Hub will serve as a pivotal platform for fostering a vibrant community of innovation and co-creation in Saudi Arabia. Designed to empower individuals and organisations to collectively tackle operational challenges and drive incremental business value across various industries, custom-tailored to the Saudi market, the hub will bring together SAP global and regional experts, local businesses, startups, and partners in a collaborative environment. 

 

Key enterprises across multiple industries including oil and gas, energy, supply chain and logistics, manufacturing, telco, sports, entertainment, and the public sector have been invited to participate in the SAP Innovation Hub and Experience Centre. 

 

SAP has reiterated its commitment to Saudi Arabia's digital transformation by supporting the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology Centre of Digital Entrepreneurship, (CODE) startup programme as part of the SAP Innovation Hub, fostering cross-company learning and collaboration to drive innovation in the region. CODE, is dedicated to promoting digital entrepreneurship and fostering a culture of innovation, making it an ideal partner in advancing Saudi Arabia's technology landscape.

 

SAP has established a network of experience centres across the globe. The centre in Khobar holds a unique position featuring the Innovation Hub, dedicated to fostering collaboration among SAP, customers, and partners. With a focus on creating business value through connections, collaboration, and co-creation, it aims to raise awareness of digital trends across global industries.

 

SAP Academy of Engineering Programme

The extension of the SAP Academy of Engineering programme is the result of the success of the first two intakes, according to AlFaifi.

 

In 2023, through its partnership with the MCIT, SAP saw a total of 127 IT talents graduate from its flagship SAP Academy for Engineering in San Ramon, California in the Unites States. The programme targets the most promising Saudi national technology talents to foster their IT technology, application-development, and AI skills, while priming their leadership expertise. 

 

The 2023 cohorts comprised 127 professionals from organisations including MCIT, the Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Sports, the National Centre for Government Resource Systems, STC Solutions, Arab National Bank, NEOM, KAUST, DGDA, SATORP and Elm. Of the trainees, 30% were women.

 

SAP intends to enroll 150 additional national IT talents in 2024, accepting the first cohort of applicants in March. The enrolled employees complete four weeks of study in the Kingdom before heading to the US to train onsite at SAP’s facilities in San Ramon, California.

 

Participants in the programme undergo a rigorous five-step application process, starting with a coding challenge to determine their existing skill set, followed by onboarding, virtual and in-person learning, and ending with a graduation ceremony. This programme complements other skills-development strategies that SAP has launched in the kingdom, including the SAP University Alliances, the SAP Dual Study Programme, and the SAP Young Professionals Programme, which are intended to develop the knowledge economy and enhance career opportunities for Saudi nationals in the technology sector. 

 

AlFaifi said: “Technology is the engine that will drive much of Saudi Arabia’s growth, and SAP programmes such as the Academy of Engineering help to create a long-term bench of executive decision-makers to harness emerging technology and address real-world opportunities and challenges in the kingdom. SAP will continue to deliver innovative programmes to meet the demand for skilled Saudi professionals while creating employment opportunities around new technologies including cloud computing and AI.”--TradeArabia News Service