Latest news with #InnovationNation
The Herald Scotland
a day ago
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Gordon Brown: Here is how to create 300,000 Scots jobs in 10 years
A new report to be published this week by the think tank Our Scottish Future lays bare this challenge. We could create 300,000 good jobs over the next ten years – and be in the lead in areas as advanced as precision medicine, quantum computing, carbon capture and storage, and even video games. Go to Dundee and you'll find the most advanced video games technologies that rival Grand Theft Auto and which had their origins in the city. Read more Go to Aberdeen and you'll find them developing wind and wave power and hydrogen to complement the world leadership we enjoyed in North Sea oil and gas. Come to Glasgow and the city that was once home to shipbuilding and steel is now at the centre of the world life science industry, with academic, clinical and commercial expertise from drug discovery to the most up-to-date personalised medicine based on DNA, and remarkable advanced manufacturing. And look at Edinburgh, where not only is fintech moving forward, but the city has had for 60 years a lead in artificial intelligence and is home to some of the most advanced computers in the world. But to convert our ideas and innovations into jobs, we have to invest in the future – in research, in education, and most of all, in people. For every £1 we spend on research in our world-class universities, we get back just £1.46 in business investment. That's half what the UK delivers. Across the OECD, it's more than triple. And look at the skills gap. We turn out a higher share of graduates than in most countries in the world – but too many well qualified Scottish university leavers end up working in non graduate jobs. This is not just a shortfall hurting our economic growth. It's indicative of the fact that we in Scotland are squandering our potential. The report, Innovation Nation, pulls no punches. It says what many of us already know: the system isn't working. We have the talent, the research, and the ambition. We have the capability - and the need - to deliver inclusive economic growth, creating hundreds of thousands of new jobs through exciting growth sectors such as life sciences, advanced manufacturing, and green energy. What we don't have is the leadership and joined-up thinking to make it count. Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown (Image: free) That's why this week in Glasgow Our Scottish future is bringing together some of the brightest minds in the world of innovation and technology. With us is Kate Bingham who pioneered the vaccine task force that saved thousands of job of lives. Kasim Kutay who heads one of most Europe's most innovative bioscience groups, Novo Nordisk. Michael Spence, the Nobel Prize winner who's the expert on AI. Jim Rowan who has headed not only Volvo but BlackBerry and Dyson in his time, pioneering the development of manufacturing from his Scottish engineering genius. And we have David Sainsbury the author of Windows of Opportunity and Britain's most successful science minister who has spent a lifetime arguing for the importance of innovate clusters to growth. We have Chris van der Kyl who has himself set up a large number of innovative companies from his base in Dundee. And we will have key investors from the public and private sectors and other economic experts. What's more we will have trade minister Douglas Alexander and Scottish labour leader and Anas Sarwar at an event to be introduced by the SNP Lord Provost of Glasgow. Read more For as we will show late in the week it is not too late to steer a new direction. A real industrial strategy. Innovation hubs in our great cities. Local authorities, UK and Scottish governments working together to drive real change in local areas across Scotland. And support for the businesses that want to grow, scale, and stay in Scotland. These recommendations represent a win-win for Scotland, where we raise the roof and lift the floor – creating good jobs, tackling poverty, and building a fairer, greener, more dynamic Scotland. We have a choice. Stick with the status quo, with patchy growth and missed opportunities. Or take bold action, seize the initiative, and once again lead the world in science, in enterprise, and in building a better society. Let's take that chance. Let's build Scotland's future together – and become the innovation nation we were always meant to be. Gordon Brown was Britain's Labour Prime Minster from 2007-2010
Kuwait Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Kuwait Times
Zain accelerates national talent empowerment in digital economy
Company concludes successful partnership in TechEdge Program with KFAS and NBK KUWAIT: Zain announced the successful conclusion of its participation in the TechEdge program, one of the leading training initiatives focused on digitally empowering young talent. The program was held under the umbrella of Zain's Innovation Nation (IN) initiative, in strategic collaboration with the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences (KFAS), the National Bank of Kuwait (NBK), and the National University of Singapore (NUS). The program spanned several phases, starting locally in Kuwait, followed by virtual masterclasses, and culminating in a global learning experience hosted by NUS in Singapore. The initiative aimed to equip early-career Kuwaiti professionals with advanced technology skills through intensive workshops on artificial intelligence, data science, cybersecurity, cloud computing, software development, entrepreneurial thinking, and more. Zain expressed its pride in the outstanding performance of its employees, Nada Ibrahim and Othman Al-Shammari, who demonstrated remarkable dedication and passion throughout the program. Both actively participated in real-world innovation challenges that bridged theory with practice. In recognition of their inspiring performance, they were honored by Zain Kuwait CEO Nawaf Al-Gharabally, CTO Daaij Al-Oud, and Chief Purpose & HR Officer Nawal Bourisli. Al-Gharabally honors Othman Al-Shammari in the presence of Bourisli and Al-Oud. Ibrahim and Al-Shammari with fellow TechEdge participants in Singapore. Commenting on the achievement, Nawal Bourisli said: 'At Zain, we believe in the power of Kuwaiti youth to lead the future of the digital economy. Our support of the TechEdge program aligns with our strategy of investing in national talent through our broader Innovation Nation initiative, which reflects our long-term vision of equipping the next generation with the skills that are becoming the foundation of tomorrow's job market.' She added: 'We take great pride in the success of this program and in the exceptional global experience it offered the participants in partnership with a prestigious academic institution like NUS. These types of initiatives embody our deep commitment to accelerating digital transformation, transferring private sector expertise, and fostering a culture of innovation in the workplace.' This program represents a strategic collaboration between the three institutions and falls within national efforts to contribute to the realization of the New Kuwait 2035 Vision, which aims to diversify the economy and drive innovation through increased reliance on digitalization. The objectives of TechEdge align with Zain's strategic vision to empower talent, accelerate digital literacy, and cultivate a workplace environment built on innovation and sustainable growth. These goals are embodied in the Innovation Nation initiative, which has resulted in numerous successful projects over the past years and continues to cement Zain's leadership in driving Kuwait's innovation and digital transformation.
Kuwait Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Kuwait Times
KFAS concludes ‘TechEdge' program in collaboration with NBK and Zain
Aiming to enhance national youth skills in AI, data science, cybersecurity KUWAIT: The Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences (KFAS) has concluded the 'TechEdge' program conducted in collaboration with the National University of Singapore, the National Bank of Kuwait, and Zain, which aims to enhance the skills of national youth who are kickstarting their careers in the fields of advanced technology such as Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, and Cybersecurity. The program, held in Singapore for two weeks, has successfully achieved its objectives, which focused on raising awareness about the importance of Cybersecurity and data protection in the backdrop of rising digital challenges. The participants were able to better understand the technology and tools used in these fields, enabling them to face cyber threats and protect the digital infrastructure. Moreover, this program is part of the fruitful collaboration between KFAS, NBK, and Zain aimed at supporting Kuwait Vision 2035 that strives to diversify the economy and enhance reliance on modern technology and digitalization. The program joined a distinctive group of ambitious Kuwaiti youth who showed great commitment and enthusiasm throughout. KFAS affirmed it will continue to develop society and establish an atmosphere of creativity and innovation by tapping into various initiatives and programs that aim to prepare competent and competitive youth in the technologically advanced job market, especially with the national youth's remarkable digital capabilities that need support to enable them become pioneers in advanced technology and ultimately accelerate digital transformation and sustainable development in Kuwait. On this occasion, Emad Al-Ablani, Group Chief Human Resources Officer said: 'At NBK, we strongly believe in the importance of promoting creativity and innovation by launching various programs and initiatives that aim to develop qualified national professionals and cooperating with government institutions and strategic partners to make a positive impact in society and create a motivating environment for the youth, which further put NBK at the forefront of institutions in social responsibility initiatives. Al-Ablani added: 'The collaboration with KFAS and Zain reflects our commitment to supporting knowledge and innovation. The 'TechEdge' program, for instance, stands as a great opportunity for trainees who are just kickstarting their careers to develop their skills, as it gives these young trainees the chance to receive high quality training and education in collaboration with the National University in Singapore, which is known as one of the pioneering institutions in the field of technology.' Nawal Bourisli, Chief Purpose & HR Officer at Zain Kuwait said: 'At Zain, we believe in the power of young minds to shape the future of our digital economy. Supporting the TechEdge program is part of our broader Innovation Nation initiative, through which we invest in national talents and provide them with cutting-edge knowledge in vital fields like artificial intelligence, data science, and cybersecurity. These are the pillars of tomorrow's job market, and we are committed to ensuring that Kuwaiti youth are ready to lead in this space.' Bourislicontinued: 'We are proud of the participants for their dedication and passion, and we're pleased that this global experience—delivered in collaboration with KFAS, NBK, and the National University of Singapore—was a fruitful one. It reflects our long-term vision of driving digital transformation by developing talent, sharing private sector expertise, and cultivating a culture of innovation.' Zain's support to TechEdge comes under the pillar of its 'Innovation Nation' initiative, through which the company collaborates with leading institutions to advance its strategic vision for enabling digital transformation upskilling and talent development.
Politico
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Politico
Trump's slash-and-burn agenda hits DOD's cyber workforce
With help from Maggie Miller and John Sakellariadis Driving the day — The Defense Department is bulldozing through its cyber workforce, and former Pentagon officials and experts warn it could cause irreparable damage to the nation's cyber defenses. HAPPY TUESDAY, and welcome to MORNING CYBERSECURITY! I hope everyone enjoyed the long weekend! I spent most of the time outdoors, but I'm happy to be back in your inboxes today. Drop me a line at dnickel@ Follow POLITICO's cybersecurity team on X at @RosiePerper, @johnnysaks130, @delizanickel and @magmill95, or reach out via email or text for tips. You can also follow @POLITICOPro on X. Want to receive this newsletter every weekday? Subscribe to POLITICO Pro. You'll also receive daily policy news and other intelligence you need to act on the day's biggest stories. Happening This Week On Wednesday: The House Homeland Security Committee holds a field hearing on 'Innovation Nation: Leveraging Technology to Secure Cyberspace and Streamline Compliance' at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University. 5 p.m. At the Agencies CUTS AT THE PENTAGON — The Defense Department's cybersecurity workforce is preparing to take a hit as the Trump administration continues its workforce blitz across agencies. At the DOD, cyber agencies — including the Defense Information Systems Agency and U.S. Cyber Command — have faced staffing cuts within the last month that worry lawmakers, former Pentagon officials and cyber experts alike. Last week, Maggie reported that Lt. Gen. Paul Stanton, head of DISA, testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee's cyber subcommittee that the agency will lose around 10 percent of its staff to cuts and resignations. Between 5 percent and 8 percent of the U.S. Cyber Command personnel also took the Trump administration's offer of deferred resignation this month. While the scope of the Pentagon workforce reduction remains unclear, former DOD officials and cyber experts warn that sweeping cuts across the board may leave certain areas severely understaffed and could destabilize cyber operations. — Back-and-forth: President Donald Trump and his administration have drawn sharp criticism for ousting officials who don't align with his agenda — including Gen. Timothy Haugh, the former head of the NSA and Cyber Command, and Chris Krebs, the former head of CISA in Trump's first term. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has faced similar backlash over his removal of high-ranking officers across the military. Former DOD officials are concerned that removals at the top are creating a ripple effect throughout the workforce and weakening the nation's ability to fight back effectively. 'You lost a person, and that expertise is lost to the government forever,' said one former Defense Department official, granted anonymity to speak candidly about the cuts. 'The people who remain don't have the institutional knowledge base.' Patrick Johnson, director of the DOD chief information officer's Workforce Innovation Directorate, pushed back against concerns of a haphazard hatchet of the cyber workforce, saying on Thursday that the office is aligning itself with the DOD's broader personnel strategy of reducing the federal civilian workforce. He added that the department is working to curb the potential blowback through selective staffing cuts and is focused on opportunities to teach remaining staff new skills on the job. But Pentagon officials are already talking about bringing back ousted staff. When testifying before Congress last week, Stanton told lawmakers that the personnel changes give the agency 'an opportunity to ruthlessly realign and operationalize what is an evolving mission,' but added that some of the vacated roles will likely be reinstated. 'We need to rehire the right people into the right positions to then lead us forward,' Stanton testified. A second former DOD official, also granted anonymity to speak candidly, said there are ways to make precision cuts while minimizing long-term damage to cyber operations, including giving operational commanders oversight over where staff reductions are made. — Clearing house as threats circle in: While Pentagon staff continue to weigh whether to take employment deferment offers or potentially face layoffs, the Defense Department has seen an injection of funds to enhance cyber offensive measures for Indo-Pacific Command through the budget reconciliation bill passed by the House late last week. Experts say this funding to boost cyber offensive measures is a step in the right direction, though workforce cuts could undermine the success of these efforts. 'China and Russia are increasing the scope and complexity of their attacks against U.S. military networks and vital critical infrastructure,' said retired Rear Adm. Mark Montgomery, senior director of the Center for Cyber and Technology at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, adding that the Pentagon's cyber workforce needs 'resource and personnel plus ups not cuts.' On The Hill WEST COAST HEARING — The House Homeland Security Committee is decamping to Silicon Valley this week for a field hearing at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University. The hearing, scheduled for Wednesday, was set so lawmakers could get a closer look at where the U.S. stands in cyberspace. Witnesses are set to include representatives from cyber and tech giants Google and Palo Alto Networks, and committee members plan to discuss how to better secure U.S. critical infrastructure networks. 'This hearing is an opportunity to hear directly from technology leaders, innovators and researchers about what's working and what isn't,' Rep. Andrew Garbarino (R-N.Y.), chair of the panel's cyber subcommittee, told Axios when the hearing was announced. The International Scene ENCRYPTION ON THE LINE — The Center for Democracy and Technology Europe is joining 88 other advocacy groups, cybersecurity experts and companies to urge the European Commission to consider how the European Internal Security Strategy, also known as ProtectEU, could hurt the future of end-to-end encryption in the EU. In a letter sent to the European Commission on Monday, the groups said that ProtectEU's proposed Technology Roadmap on Encryption — which would enable law enforcement authorities to lawfully access encrypted data — could harm cybersecurity and privacy protections for EU citizens. The European Commission has recently focused on end-to-end encryption to crack down on the distribution of child sex abuse material by requiring messaging platforms to conduct blanket scans on content, even if the platforms offer end-to-end encryption. The efforts have been met with backlash from digital advocates and the tech industry over the risks posed to EU citizens' data privacy and their devices' cybersecurity. The groups called on the European Commission to acknowledge that strong encryption tools won't hinder EU security, edit the proposed Technology Roadmap to include the benefits of encryption and consult with private companies, digital advocates and cybersecurity experts to add 'credibility' to the document. Quick Bytes A FAN, THIS AGENCY IS — A seemingly ordinary Star Wars fan website from the early 2010s was built by the CIA to covertly communicate with its informants around the world, Joseph Cox writes for 404 Media. AI CHIPS — Nvidia will launch a newer — and cheaper — AI chipset for China after recent U.S. export restrictions on the company's H20 chips, Liam Mo and Fanny Potkin report for Reuters. DOWNSIZING YOUR DIGITAL FOOTPRINT — Wired's Matt Burgess, Sophie Johal and Michaela Neville prepared a guide on the basics of keeping your digital footprint locked down. Chat soon. Stay in touch with the whole team: Rosie Perper (rperper@ John Sakellariadis (jsakellariadis@ Maggie Miller (mmiller@ and Dana Nickel (dnickel@
Arab Times
04-02-2025
- Business
- Arab Times
Zain Strategic Partner of Kuwait CyberChamps Competition
KUWAIT CITY, Feb 4: Zain has announced its strategic partnership with the Kuwait CyberChamps Competition, organized by IDRAK Training and Consultancy in collaboration with the Public Education Sector of the Ministry of Education, represented by the General Supervisory of Computing, and with the support of the National Cybersecurity Center. The competition aims to enhance the technological skills of middle and high school students, empowering them to tackle the challenges of the digital future. The partnership was announced at Zain's headquarters in Shuwaikh, attended by Waleed Al-Khashti, Chief Corporate Affairs and Relations Officer at Zain Kuwait; Ali Al-Jassem, Board Member of IDRAK Training and Consultancy; Dr. Muna Al-Salem, Director of the Information Systems Department at the Ministry of Education; and Saleh Bourizq, Director of Training at the National Cybersecurity Center. This strategic partnership falls under Zain's Innovation Nation initiative, which encompasses all the company's efforts dedicated to fostering creativity, enhancing technical and digital skills, and empowering entrepreneurship within the community. It particularly focuses on STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), which have become essential for modern job markets, aiming to develop a generation of skilled youth capable of leading Kuwait's digital future with confidence. The competition is designed to foster a sustainable cybersecurity culture, raising awareness among passionate middle and high school students about the risks of fraud and cybercrime. It also aims to develop their skills across a wide range of technical disciplines, integrating education, competition, and innovation to create a launchpad for Kuwait's future cybersecurity experts. Through a series of interactive activities, educational events, and training camps, participating students will be equipped with the tools and opportunities needed to nurture their digital talents. The competition also provides them with the chance to engage with industry experts from various fields, guiding them toward potential careers in cybersecurity. The competition will culminate in a hackathon and team pitches, followed by an awards ceremony to honor the winners. Zain's numerous initiatives are centered on youth and education, aligning with the rapid shift of both the economy and education sector towards digital fields. The company has made the development of digital and programming skills among youth a top priority. By supporting a wide range of programs and initiatives, Zain is committed to equipping the next generation of local talents with the skills demanded by modern job markets, such as programming, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation applications, among others.
