Latest news with #HaythamAl-Ohali
Arab News
29-07-2025
- Business
- Arab News
New Huawei-MCIT center to advance digital transformation
Huawei and the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology reinforced their commitment to empowering national talent and advancing Saudi Arabia's digital transformation agenda with the opening of the Future Skills Center in Riyadh. The ceremony was attended by high-level dignitaries, including Vice Minister of Communications and Information Technology Haytham Al-Ohali, Ambassador of China to Saudi Arabia Chang Hua, Assistant Minister for Development and Transformation at the Ministry of Education Murhaf bin Mohammed Al-Madani, Deputy Minister of Communications and Information Technology for International Cooperation and Partnerships Mansour bin Saleh Al-Qurashi, Deputy Minister of Future Jobs and Capabilities Safa Al-Rashed, and Chairman of the Board for Huawei Saudi Arabia Liam Zhao. The Future Skills Center offers immersive learning experiences in next-generation technologies including AI, 5G, and smart applications across various industries and communities. The center stands as an evolution of the successful 'Future Space' exhibition that opened in 2022 by Huawei and in collaboration with the Saudi Space Commission. The largest of its kind outside China, the exhibition showcases advanced technologies such as autonomous driving, 3D printing and brainwave robot control. It has welcomed more than 35,000 visitors since opening its doors to the public and has offered more than 270 training sessions to over 10,000 participants in three years. With the launch of the Future Skills Center, we are deepening our commitment to creating more value and accelerating Saudi's digital future, says Liam Zhao, Chairman of Huawei Saudi Arabia Al-Ohali said: 'Enhancing digital capabilities is a pivotal element in developing human capital and a fundamental driver of growth in the technology and economic sectors. The Future Skills Center contributes by providing an advanced training environment focused on developing digital skills in modern technologies, keeping pace with the rapid technological advancements and achieving the objectives of Vision 2030.' The launch follows Huawei and MCIT's joint announcement at the 2025 LEAP Summit earlier this year to expand the Future Space exhibition into a broader Future Skills framework. Now, the Future Skills Center has been redesigned as a dynamic hub for skill-building, technological exploration, and hands-on innovation. It offers immersive learning experiences in next-generation technologies including artificial intelligence, 5G, and smart applications across various industries and communities. Speaking on the newly launched center, Ambassador Hua said: 'This initiative stands as a powerful example of the deepening cooperation between China and Saudi Arabia across the fields of innovation, education, and technology. The Future Skills Center reflects our shared belief in the importance of knowledge exchange and capacity building to drive sustainable growth. China and Saudi Arabia have a rich history of collaboration, and we will continue to partner to build a strong digital future here in Saudi Arabia.' Meanwhile Chairman Zhao said: 'When we first opened Future Space three years ago, our aim was to inspire a new generation of Saudi innovators. Since then, that inspiration has evolved into real momentum. We witness a remarkable drive here to learn about emerging tech, and this aligns fully with one of Huawei's core priorities — to develop local talent and expand access to digital skills.' With the launch of the Future Skills Center, we are deepening our commitment to creating more value and accelerating Saudi's digital future.' The newly inaugurated center is aligned with the national strategy to build a digitally enabled society and develop a competitive knowledge-based economy. It will provide training, certifications, and real-world application scenarios that strengthen local capabilities and inspire future innovators.
Saudi Gazette
25-05-2025
- Business
- Saudi Gazette
CIT Minister Alswaha reviews stc Group's digital and technical readiness for Hajj season
Minister of Communications and Information Technology Abdullah Alswaha conducted a field visit on Sunday to stc Group's operations center in Makkah to assess the Group's comprehensive digital, technical, and logistical readiness to serve pilgrims during the 1446 AH Hajj season. The minister was accompanied by Vice Minister and Acting Governor of the Communications, Space and Technology Commission Eng. Haytham Al-Ohali, stc Group CEO Eng. Olayan Mohammed Al-Wetaid, and senior officials. During the visit, stc Group presented its strategic technical plan to ensure optimal service delivery across Makkah, Madinah, and the Holy Sites. The plan includes detailed analysis of network performance at more than 350 key locations, with infrastructure upgrades in areas expected to experience peak capacity. In anticipation of a projected 30% increase in data usage during Hajj, the Group has upgraded over 30 5G sites and developed more than 80 advanced 4G sites. VoLTE (Voice over LTE) technology has also been activated to enhance voice and video communication and enable faster data transmission. To improve coverage, stc has established 21 new sites within the holy sites and deployed 78 mobile communication units to serve high-density areas and zones where permanent infrastructure is difficult to implement. In total, the network will be supported by 421 fixed sites and 77 mobile towers, along with 998 Wi-Fi access points strategically installed to ensure continuous and seamless internet connectivity for pilgrims. The Group has also set up 11 logistics units and 99 maintenance centers across the holy areas, staffed by specialized technical teams operating 24/7 to maintain uninterrupted service throughout the Hajj period. As part of its commitment to digital empowerment and innovation, stc unveiled a pioneering AI-driven initiative to assist pilgrims through multilingual 3D guidance. Featuring one of the largest interactive smart tables in the world, the system enables pilgrims to access comprehensive information about Hajj rituals in an intuitive and user-friendly format.
