Oracle collaborates with MCIT to train 50,000 Saudi Nationals in AI
Under the new collaboration, MCIT and NeLC will introduce Oracle's 'Mostaqbali' (My Future) program to Saudi citizens to boost lifelong learning, support local employment opportunities and enable Saudi organisations accelerate digital transformation with readily available local talent.
'This collaboration will play a pivotal role in advancing efforts to expand our national digital capabilities', said Safa Al-Rashed, Acting Deputy Minister for Future Capabilities and Jobs at the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology.
'Oracle's partnership with the National eLearning Centre will contribute in adopting lifelong learning and ensure continuous development of digital skills most relevant for the intelligent age. It will strengthen national initiatives by providing cutting-edge training in artificial intelligence and digital technologies, while fostering innovation and equipping our citizens with skills required for jobs of the future'.
Mostaqbali will be available to all Saudi nationals at different stages of their learning and professional careers—from students just entering the workforce to working professionals—with a special focus on women and early-career professionals. The program will strengthen Saudi Arabia's digital talent pool as organisations in the country look to increasingly hire local talent to deploy new technologies and drive digital innovation and growth in line with Saudi Vision 2030.
'Our collaboration with Oracle and MCIT accelerates the Kingdom's journey toward becoming a global hub for digital learning. The Mostaqbali initiative, delivered via FutureX and supported by our strategic partnerships, expands the impact of our national digital learning ecosystem bridging the gap between ambition and opportunity, and empowering Saudi talent to thrive in an AI-driven future', said Dr. Hajar Binasfour, Deputy Director General for Empowerment at the National eLearning Centre (NeLC).
'PwC estimates that by 2030, Artificial Intelligence will contribute $135 billion to Saudi Arabia's economy. At Oracle, we are committed to helping the Kingdom realise this major opportunity', said Gary Miller, Executive Vice President, Oracle Customer Success Services. 'Oracle is driving one of the fastest cloud region expansions in Saudi Arabia and simultaneously working to develop a strong local talent pool that can help local organisations tap into these resources and accelerate their transformations. Our collaboration with MCIT and NeLC around the Mostaqbali initiative will open Oracle's highly successful training programs to a large student and professional audience, making a significant contribution to help meet the demand for technical skills in the Kingdom'.
In addition to the opportunity to secure professional certification, learners in the Mostaqbali program will also be able to earn badges that indicate their job readiness for specialised job roles, helping potential employers more easily identify candidates and supporting job placement opportunities in the Kingdom.
The Mostaqbali program will be delivered as a digital learning experience through Oracle MyLearn, Oracle's comprehensive training and enablement platform from Oracle University used by millions of technology trainees around the world. The program will offer rigorous foundational training in cloud technologies that will then channel students to professional-level training and certifications—including in areas such as DevOps, AI, applications business processes, machine learning, and data science—as well as additional training curated individually based on learning levels and educational goals.
Image Credit: Oracle & Ministry of Communications and Information Technology Saudi Arabia
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Campaign ME
an hour ago
- Campaign ME
stc VP talks Esports World Cup, fan engagement and functional branding
Saudi Arabia's gaming scene is massive, with around 23.5 million gamers making up roughly 67 per cent of the population. And, stc has positioned itself right in the middle of the scene for the second year as the founding partner of the Esports World Cup (EWC). Mohammed bin Rashid Abaalkheil, Vice President of Corporate Relations at stc, shares with Campaign Middle East how shares how the telco is deepening its connection with Saudi youth and powering the Esports World Cup as a founding partner. 'Our partnership with the Esports World Cup is about championing a passionate gaming community that has been part of Saudi culture for years,' says Abaalkheil. He adds, 'Our message to young Saudis is simple: we have built the digital engine that will power your ambition.' The brand sees itself not just as a sponsor, but as a digital enabler helping turn gaming passion into professional opportunity. Through collaboration with the Saudi Esports Federation, stc supports initiatives such as the Job Attachment Programme, which offers hands-on experience and mentorship to aspiring esports professionals. 'We want young people to see stc group as the digital enabler that powers their world,' Abaalkheil notes. Powering performance and experiences stc's activation at the EWC goes beyond visibility to create immersive, value-driven experiences for players and fans alike. This is realised across three core areas: player performance, integrated venues, and enhanced fan experience. 'For the players, relevance means performance,' Abaalkheil explains. 'We provide the technical and operational backbone for the EWC. Our intelligent network architecture uses AI-powered analytics to adapt in real time, ensuring the ultra-low latency and seamless, lag-free environment that professional gaming demands.' Within the event venues, stc has created interactive spaces such as the stc Heroes Hub, where fans use generative AI to create custom avatars from a selfie, and the Hero Challenge, a reaction game offering limited-edition prizes. 'Inside the stc Gaming Hall, fans can engage directly with our ecosystem,' he says. 'We also have dedicated zones for HD streaming and photo opportunities in and around the stc Esports Arena, where the most critical games will be played.' The experience extends beyond the arena, with stc tv streaming all matches on a dedicated channel featuring a 14-day replay option. On-site engagement is further enhanced through the mystc app, which offers major prizes, including a weekly car giveaway. View this post on Instagram A post shared by السعودية stc (@stc_ksa) Brand purpose and authenticity stc's approach to gaming is deeply connected to its broader brand purpose. 'Our core purpose is to enrich people's personal and professional lives. Our brand is built on a promise of progress and moving everything forward,' Abaalkheil says. Recognising the sector's potential, Abaalkheil highlights that esports is projected to contribute $13 bn to Saudi Arabia's GDP by 2030, higlighting both its cultural and economic significance. On the question of brand authenticity in gaming, he stresses the need for understanding the ecosystem and playing a genuine role. 'Authenticity is about understanding the ecosystem and finding a credible role within it. It means asking, 'How can my brand genuinely improve the experience for players or fans?' For stc group, our answer is to be the foundational digital enabler as an Elite and Founding partner of the EWC. We power the event's network and digital capabilities, providing its essential technical foundation. Our contribution is the guarantee of a stable, high-speed, low-latency network environment, without which the competition could not happen at this level. Our role is authentic because it's functional and essential.' He adds that brands need to reconsider their approach: 'Brands need to shift their thinking from 'How can I be seen by gamers?' to 'How can I serve gamers?' The former is marketing; the latter is partnership.' Balancing short-term and long-term goals stc's commitment to the EWC is multi-year, reflecting a strategy that balances immediate marketing activations with the building of long-term brand equity. 'The short-term marketing activations and performance metrics from the event are the proof points that bring our long-term commitment to life,' Abaalkheil says. At the 2024 EWC, stc achieved 99.9 per cent network availability, ensuring uninterrupted, high-performance connectivity for more than 10,000 players throughout the tournament. He stresses that 'every flawless match and seamless stream is an immediate marketing gain that also serves as an investment in our long-term reputation as the undisputed digital enabler of the region.' Building for the future Looking ahead, stc aims to set the standard for digital event enablement in esports globally. 'Five years from now, we want the global esports community to see stc group as the standard for digital event enablement. We want players to know that when an event is powered by stc group, the performance will be flawless,' Abaalkheil says. To achieve this, stc is investing heavily in future-ready infrastructure. 'For EWC 2025, we increased network coverage by over 20 per cent compared to last year. We are deploying AI-driven traffic modeling, cognitive Self-Optimising Networks, and Software-Defined Networking (SDN) that enables rapid failover and real-time optimisation. This is the technology that creates a competitive, lag-free environment.' At the same time, stc is building a comprehensive digital ecosystem. 'This extends from integrating platforms like stc tv for broadcasting and sirar by stc for cybersecurity, to supporting individual gamers at home with tailored offerings like our 'Level Up' data packages. Our goal is to be the first choice for gaming customers in their daily lives.' Finally, stc is reinforcing its long-term commitment through sustained partnerships. 'Our three-year partnership with the Esports World Cup Foundation demonstrates that we are a dedicated partner, invested in the sustainable growth of the ecosystem alongside the players, clubs, and fans.' Abaalkheil sums up the company's ambition: 'We want to be remembered as the invisible and integral force that powered the most iconic moments in esports history, right here from the Kingdom.'
Campaign ME
3 hours ago
- Campaign ME
Augustus Media appoints Rakan Felemban as Head of Content for Saudi Arabia
Augustus Media has appointed Rakan Felemban as its new Head of Content – KSA and Senior Content Director. With more than 15 years of experience in the digital content space, Felemban brings a deep passion for culturally resonant storytelling and a strong track record of building impactful media brands across the region. In his new role, Felemban will lead content strategy, creative innovation and play a key role in expanding the Augustus Media presence across Saudi Arabia. As a founding team member of UTURN Entertainment and MDLBEAST, Felemban has been instrumental in shaping the regional content ecosystem. Most recently, he led the editorial strategy for Billboard Arabia, where he played a pivotal role in establishing its footprint and championing authentic narratives rooted in Arab culture. Felemban's expertise spans the development of award-winning intellectual properties, building high-performing creative teams, producing standout campaigns for global brands, and crafting narratives that celebrate local identity while embracing digital innovation. Commenting on the appointment, Richard Fitzgerald, CEO of Augustus Media, said, 'Rakan is a true pioneer in the regional content space. His ability to build culturally relevant narratives and lead dynamic creative teams makes him a perfect fit for Augustus Media's next chapter in Saudi Arabia and for Lovin Saudi's content direction. As we grow our Lovin and Smashi brands across the Kingdom, Rakan's leadership will be invaluable.' As Augustus Media deepens its roots in the Kingdom, this leadership appointment marks the latest chapter in a long-term commitment to the Saudi market. Speaking about his new role, Rakan Felemban added, 'It's an exciting time for content in Saudi Arabia. I'm honoured to join Augustus Media at this pivotal moment and contribute to its mission of telling stories that matter, stories that reflect who we are and where we're going. Together, we'll build a platform that inspires, informs and celebrates our culture.' Through its flagship brand Lovin', the company has launched Lovin Saudi in Arabic, alongside city-focused editions such as Lovin Riyadh, Lovin Jeddah, and Lovin Dammam, with plans to expand across all 13 administrative regions. These platforms aim to serve as digital hubs for hyperlocal stories, social moments, and lifestyle content that resonate with Saudi audiences. On the streaming front, Smashi Entertainment intends to engage Gen Z and millennial audiences across platforms, with original programming including the Snapchat show 'Who's Crushing Social Media,' which highlights rising digital creators and viral trends across the Kingdom. Supporting this content ecosystem is ODEUM, Augustus Media's in-house content studio. With a portfolio that includes collaborations with high-profile entities such as MiSK Foundation and the King Khalid Foundation, ODEUM delivers full-scale creative, strategic and production services from its fully functional studios in Al Najis. These facilities were developed as part of Augustus Media's participation in the Saudi Ministry of Investment's Ignite Programme, designed to accelerate the growth of media and entertainment in the Kingdom.
Tourism Breaking News
5 hours ago
- Tourism Breaking News
Diriyah and THC explore new urban air mobility ventures
Post Views: 61 Diriyah Company has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with The Helicopter Company (THC), the Kingdom's premier commercial helicopter operator, to explore potential opportunities and the integration of advanced air mobility solutions for the Diriyah project. This strategic collaboration supports Diriyah's vision to become the world's premier cultural and tourism destination, targeting 50 million annual visitors by 2030. The MoU was signed by Jerry Inzerillo, Group CEO of Diriyah Company, and Capt. Arnaud Martinez, CEO of THC. The MoU aligns with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, supporting national efforts to diversify the economy and enhance key sectors including tourism, mobility and infrastructure through the adoption of advanced technologies and sustainable development practices. The MoU covers a wide scope of collaboration, including strategic planning and integration, to explore the potential of incorporating Urban Air Mobility (UAM) services within Diriyah's urban framework. It also emphasizes regulatory alignment and leveraging THC's expertise in guiding Diriyah Company as its partner in the establishment of operational, technical, and infrastructural foundations to ensure efficient and compliant implementation of air mobility solutions within the birthplace of the Kingdom. The MoU highlights the importance of engagement with the air mobility ecosystem, including air transport operators, technology providers, and infrastructure developers, with an emphasis on environmental and social sustainability. To initiate this collaboration, Diriyah Company and THC will form a joint working group to assess opportunities and evaluate the potential impact of introducing innovative urban air transport services within the Diriyah project. If implemented, these services are expected to play a transformative role in the Kingdom's urban air mobility and tourism sectors, further elevating Diriyah's position as a premier global destination in support of Saudi Vision 2030. Commenting on the MoU, Jerry Inzerillo, Group CEO of Diriyah Company, said: 'We are thrilled to partner with THC in this pioneering initiative, which marks a major step toward realizing our vision of Diriyah as a world-class cultural and tourism destination. We believe that introducing innovative urban air mobility services will offer a truly distinctive experience for our visitors and further strengthen Diriyah's presence on the global tourism map.' On his part, Capt. Arnaud Martinez, CEO of THC, stated: 'We value our partnership with Diriyah Company on this groundbreaking project, which underscores our commitment to share THC's expertise in delivering innovative, safe, and sustainable aviation solutions. We look forward to working closely with Diriyah to create a unique customer journey for the Kingdom's birthplace visitors, and achieve the ambitious goals of this MOU, and support the broader objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.' Urban air mobility will provide accessibility to a new era of mobility within cities, reduce traffic congestion and improve connectivity. These solutions align with 'smart city' principles and are expected to revolutionize urban mobility. Their impact will be particularly significant in major cities and high-profile destinations, with transformative potential for large-scale projects like Diriyah.
