Latest news with #HaythamAlOhali
Zawya
28-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Huawei and Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Communications and Information Technology Inaugurate Future Skills Center
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: Huawei and the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) reinforced their commitment to empowering national talent and advancing Saudi Arabia's digital transformation agenda with the grand opening of the Future Skills Center in Riyadh. The ceremony was attended by high-level dignitaries, including H.E. Haytham AlOhali, Vice Minister of Communications and Information Technology; and H.E. Chang Hua, Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to Saudi Arabia; Eng. Murhaf Bin Mohammed Al-Madani, Assistant Minister for Development and Transformation at the Ministry of Education; Eng. Mansour bin Saleh Al-Qurashi, Deputy Minister of Communications and Information Technology for International Cooperation and Partnerships; Safa Al-Rashed, Deputy Minister of Future Jobs and Capabilities; as well as Liam Zhao, Chairman of the Board for Huawei Saudi Arabia. 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 (SSC). The largest of its kind outside China, the Future Space 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 more than 10,000 participants in three years. Commenting on the inauguration, H.E. Haytham AlOhali, Vice Minister of Communications and Information Technology, 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 (AI), 5G, and smart applications across various industries and communities. Speaking on the newly launched center, H.E. Chang Hua, Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to Saudi Arabia, 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.' For his part, Liam Zhao, Chairman of the Board at Huawei Saudi Arabia, 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 create more value and accelerate Saudi's digital future.' The newly inaugurated Future Skills 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.
Broadcast Pro
10-07-2025
- Business
- Broadcast Pro
Ericsson establishes new regional headquarters in Riyadh
Ericsson has inaugurated its new regional headquarters in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). The new headquarters reflects Ericssons strong commitment to the Kingdom and the strategic role of the country in the companys regional operations across the Middle East and Africa. The ceremony was attended by His Excellency Eng. Haytham AlOhali, Vice Minister at […] Ericsson has inaugurated its new regional headquarters in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). The new headquarters reflects Ericssons strong commitment to the Kingdom and the strategic role of the country in the companys regional operations across the Middle East and Africa. The ceremony was attended by His Excellency Eng. Haytham AlOhali, Vice Minister at Ministry of Communications and Information Technology; His Excellency Dr. Abdullah A. Aldubaikhi, Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Investment of Saudi Arabia (MISA); Her Excellency Petra Menander, Swedish Ambassador to Saudi Arabia; Börje Ekholm, President and Chief Executive Officer of Ericsson Group; and Patrick Johansson, President of Europe, Middle East and Africa at Ericsson in addition to other Ericsson leadership team members. Also present were Eng. Olayan bin Mohammed Alwetaid, Chief Executive Officer of stc Group, and Eng. Nezar H. Banabeela, Chief Executive Officer of Mobily. The event featured discussions around the evolution of network technologies, the roadmap to 6G, and the impact of Vision 2030 on shaping long-term innovation strategies. With a strong focus on collaboration, talent development, and 5G leadership, Ericsson emphasised on the importance of cross-sector engagement and technological advancement in building an inclusive digital infrastructure for Saudi Arabia and the wider region. His Excellency Dr Abdullah A. Aldubaikhi, Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Investment of Saudi Arabia (MISA), said: 'The establishment of Ericssons regional headquarters in Riyadh reinforces Saudi Arabias position as a leading destination for global investment in advanced technologies. It also aligns with our national ambition to build a dynamic digital economy and foster innovation-led growth. We look forward to continued collaboration with global partners like Ericsson to unlock new opportunities and enable sustainable, technology-driven development across the region.' His Excellency Eng. Abdulrahman AlMufadda, Deputy Minister of Communications and Information Technology for Telecom and Digital Infrastructure, added: 'This milestone reflects the confidence that global companies have in the Kingdom and underscores its growing status as a regional hub for technology and innovation. We thank Ericsson for its strategic partnership and for strengthening its regional presence through Riyadh, which serves as a center for technology and innovation in the region. This strategic presence contributes to realizing the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 by empowering national talent, advancing technological innovation and artificial intelligence, and building a knowledge-based digital economy. In this context, global partnerships are a key driver of progress, accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies and shaping a more connected and sustainable future.' Eng. Olayan bin Mohammed Alwetaid, Chief Executive Officer of stc group, stated: 'Ericssons new regional headquarters in Riyadh represents an important step for us at stc, as the regions digital enabler, in strengthening digital infrastructure, innovation, and digitization across the region. This move reflects the long-standing partnership with Ericsson, and we highly value its contributions to the development of emerging technologies and digital infrastructure. We look forward to continuing our collaboration to deliver world-class connectivity and unlock new horizons for growth and innovation.' Eng. Nezar H. Banabeela, Chief Executive Officer of Mobily, commented: 'The inauguration of Ericssons regional headquarters in Riyadh highlights the Kingdoms global leadership in the digital transformation. At Mobily, we are proud of our strong and long-standing partnership with Ericsson, built on a shared vision to enhance the efficiency of digital infrastructure and strengthen its role in positioning the Kingdom as a regional digital hub for technology and innovation.' Dr. Talal bin Ahmed Al-Sudairy, Senior Vice President for Research and Development at King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, remarked: 'The partnership between King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology and Ericsson reflects our shared commitment to driving innovation and developing advanced connectivity solutions in the Kingdom. The opening of Ericssons new regional headquarters marks an important step in strengthening this collaboration. Joint initiatives, such as the Blink Lab, contribute to accelerating the development of future connectivity technologies and use cases that require ultra-reliable communication such as gaming and immersive experiences and supporting local innovation ecosystems in alignment with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.' Patrick Johansson, President of Ericsson Europe, Middle East and Africa, said: 'The establishment of our new Middle East and Africa regional headquarters in Riyadh strengthens our presence in the region. This is a pivotal step in our journey to support digital growth, innovation, and collaboration. The new headquarters will also enable us to further deepen our close partnerships with customers and partners, accelerate the adoption of advanced technologies, and build a more connected future.' Saudi Arabia continues to play a central role in Ericssons regional strategy. The company has contributed to the development of the Kingdoms telecommunications sector by expanding mobile infrastructure, supporting the adoption of 5G, and enabling digital transformation. Ericssons Gen-E Graduate Programme has been hosted at the 5G Innovation Hub in Riyadh since 2018, professionally developing over 190 Saudi graduates from leading national and international universities, with women making up 50% of the cohort. The programme provides comprehensive training on Ericssons technologies, tools, and methodologies, including technical workshops led by Ericssons experts and the Ericsson KSA leadership team. Since its launch, it has contributed to the development of diverse 5G and Internet of Things (IoT) use cases across multiple sectors like robotics, 5G edge computing, and mixed reality monitoring and control, supporting Saudi Arabias innovation and digital transformation efforts. Over the years, Ericsson has closely partnered with stc, Mobily, Zain KSA, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), and King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) on initiatives focused on research, innovation, and the development of advanced connectivity solutions.
Saudi Gazette
10-07-2025
- Business
- Saudi Gazette
At Geneva World Summit, Saudi Arabia highlights great strides in digital leadership
Saudi Gazette report GENEVA — Deputy Minister of Communications and Information Technology and Acting Governor of the Communications, Space and Technology Commission (CST) Haytham AlOhali highlighted, while attending the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) in Geneva, Saudi Arabia's great strides in digital leadership. Speaking before senior officials and experts representing 194 countries, he reaffirmed the Kingdom's dedication in supporting the summit's goals and enhancing the role of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in fostering inclusive and sustainable digital communities. AlOhali showcased Saudi Arabia's progress in advancing the ITU's strategic objectives, referencing key global indicators that reflect the Kingdom's success in the digital domain. He emphasized that Saudi Arabia ranked first globally in the ICT Development Index issued by ITU, reflecting the ongoing development in the ICT sector. He noted that Saudi Arabia is now among the global leaders in providing digital government services and has achieved sixth place globally in the UN E-Government Development Index (EGDI) in 2024. The deputy minister showcased the Kingdom's robust ICT infrastructure, as the digital economy reached $132 billion in 2024, representing 15 percent of the GDP and half of the region's digital economy. During the AI World Summit, AlOhali also participated in the "Crafting a well-balanced, pro-innovation regulatory framework" session, during which he emphasized that the foundation of a sustainable AI ecosystem lies in investing in human capital, infrastructure, and clear standards. "Today, we possess the largest technical workforce in the region, comprising over 381,000 specialists, with an annual growth rate of 8.8 percent compared to 350,000 in 2023. We began our journey in 2018 with an investment exceeding $25 billion in digital infrastructure in partnership with the private sector, which enabled the Kingdom to top the 2025 ICT Development Index," he said. AlOhali noted that Saudi Arabia is scaling up its investments through strategic alliances with major global AI companies, including AMD, AWS, and Qualcomm, in addition to a strategic partnership with NVIDIA to establish a 500MW data center. 'The launch of 'Humain' marks the creation of a regional and global AI powerhouse, backed by robust infrastructure and cloud computing. These initiatives reflect the Kingdom's strong commitment to fostering a thriving AI ecosystem and reinforcing its position as a global hub for sustainable innovation,' he added.
Leaders
10-07-2025
- Business
- Leaders
Saudi Arabia Showcases Digital Leadership at WSIS 2025
During the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) held in Geneva, Switzerland, Saudi Arabia highlighted its advancements in digital transformation and reaffirmed its strong commitment to supporting the summit's goals. The Kingdom also emphasized its active role in enhancing the International Telecommunication Union's (ITU) mission of building inclusive and sustainable digital communities worldwide. Strong Representation, Strategic Vision Saudi Arabia's delegation was led by Vice Minister of Communications and Information Technology and Acting Governor of the Communications, Space and Technology Commission (CST), Haytham AlOhali. Addressing officials and digital experts from 194 countries, AlOhali shared the Kingdom's success in advancing ITU's strategic objectives and presented key indicators reflecting its global digital achievements. Leading in Global Digital Rankings AlOhali highlighted that Saudi Arabia ranked first globally on the ITU's ICT Development Index, underscoring the country's rapid progress in the ICT sector. He also noted that the Kingdom secured sixth place globally in the 2024 United Nations E-Government Development Index (EGDI), reflecting its leadership in delivering digital government services. Digital Economy Growth, Infrastructure Investment The Vice Minister emphasized the strength of Saudi Arabia's digital infrastructure, noting that the Kingdom's digital economy reached $132 billion in 2024—accounting for 15% of GDP and representing half of the region's total digital economy. He also discussed the nation's early investment efforts, which began in 2018 with over $25 billion channeled into digital infrastructure through public-private partnerships. These efforts helped position the Kingdom at the top of the 2025 ICT Development Index. Commitment to AI, Pro-Innovation Policies During the AI for Good Global Summit, AlOhali participated in the session titled 'Crafting a Well-Balanced, Pro-Innovation Regulatory Framework.' He stressed that building a sustainable AI ecosystem requires robust investment in human capital, infrastructure, and the establishment of clear standards. He revealed that Saudi Arabia now boasts the largest technical workforce in the region, with more than 381,000 specialists in 2024—an 8.8% annual growth from 350,000 in 2023. Strategic Partnerships in AI, Emerging Technologies To accelerate AI adoption, Saudi Arabia is expanding its partnerships with leading global tech firms such as AMD, AWS, Qualcomm, and NVIDIA. A major milestone includes a strategic collaboration with NVIDIA to develop a 500MW data center, a key enabler of large-scale AI applications. Additionally, the Kingdom launched 'Humain,' a new initiative aimed at creating a regional and global AI powerhouse, backed by advanced infrastructure and cloud computing capabilities. These developments reflect Saudi Arabia's determination to position itself as a global center for sustainable innovation in AI and digital technologies. Related Topics: Participants of International AI Olympiad Undergo Theoretical, Practical Tests Saudi Arabia Hosts Inaugural Edition of International AI Olympiad Saudi Delegation Awaits ISEF 2025 Results Short link : Post Views: 6
Saudi Gazette
06-07-2025
- Business
- Saudi Gazette
Saudi Arabia reaffirms dedication to achieving equitable and sustainable digital development
Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — Saudi Arabia, represented by Acting Governor of the Communications, Space and Technology Commission (CST) Eng. Haytham AlOhali participated in the annual meeting of the UN Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development. This year's session marked a special edition celebrating 15 years since the commission's establishment. Saudi Arabia's participation reflects its ongoing commitment to advancing digital transformation, fostering global digital economic growth, bridging the digital divide, and expanding access to communication and technology services. Eng. AlOhali reaffirmed Saudi Arabia's dedication to achieving equitable and sustainable digital development and praised the Broadband Commission's continued support for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He noted that CST operates as a 5G regulator, as recognized by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), and leads a range of national and global initiatives in collaboration with international partners to help realize shared objectives. He emphasized that the Kingdom's national digital strategy aligns closely with the ITU's 'Connect 2030' vision. He also referenced ongoing cooperation with the ITU to update the study titled Connecting Humanity Through Sustainable, Affordable, and Innovative Solutions, which aims to identify connectivity gaps and develop practical approaches to achieving universal and affordable internet access. AlOhali highlighted the success of the Open Access Initiative, which enabled infrastructure sharing among telecom providers and extended fiber-optic connections to more than 3.9 million homes—surpassing earlier targets. He further noted the Kingdom's continued investment in non-terrestrial network technologies, including Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites and High Altitude Platform Systems (HAPS), to extend coverage to underserved areas. Regionally, he pointed to Saudi Arabia's leadership in launching the 'Digital Sustainability Tool' in cooperation with the Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO), as well as its role in leading the Circular Digital Economy track under the ITU's Green Digital Action initiative. While stressing that closing the digital divide remains one of the most pressing global challenges, AlOhali called for greater collaboration and joint efforts to achieve inclusive digital development.
