Latest news with #NITA
Chicago Tribune
3 days ago
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
Lake County officials discuss the challenges of public transportation during townhall meeting
Hours before the 104th Illinois General Assembly adjourned its initial session May 31 by law, the State Senate voted 32-22 for legislation creating the Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA) to help avoid a $771 million fiscal cliff facing public transportation in northeastern Illinois. With little time remaining in the session, the Illinois House of Representatives was unable to consider the Senate-amended version of the bill, postponing a final vote and elimination of the fiscal cliff until the legislature's veto session in October. Along with helping public transportation keep running in Chicagoland at its current level without reducing service or cutting jobs, the NITA bill provides for a variety of improvements to meet the needs of at least the next two decades. When the coronavirus pandemic shuttered much of the economy in March 2020, state Sen. Adriane Johnson, D-Buffalo Grove, said federal funding helped offset the nosedive in revenue to public transportation. When the money runs out at the end of the year, Johnson said Metra, Pace, the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), and the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) will be $771 million short of what they need to operate, leading to decreased service and jobs. State Sen. Ram Vallivalam, D-Chicago, chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, said keeping public transportation as it is is insufficient for the needs. As he and others went to work on the bill, it became a $1.5 billion package taking the public transit two decades into the future. 'We have a robust public transportation system that moves one million people every day,' Vallivalam said. 'Every dollar we spend on public transportation brings $13 to the local economy. This is a huge undertaking. This is something we have to do.' 'It has to be accessible, equitable, safe, reliable, and affordable,' added Johnson. Johnson, Vallivalam, state Sen. Mary Edly-Allen, D-Libertyville, and Lake County Board Chair Sandy Hart, D-Lake Bluff, presented their ideas on the future of public transportation in the Chicago area at a town hall on Monday in Vernon Hills to gather ideas and urge support. With $200 million earmarked for downstate Illinois, Vallivalam said the rest of the money will be spent on public transportation in Chicago, suburban Cook County, and collar counties Lake, McHenry, DuPage, Kane, and Will counties. Governance of NITA will consist of a 20-person board with five people from collar counties, five from suburban Cook County, five from Chicago, and five from the state. Vallivalam said it is structured to avoid dominance of any area. The current organizations will remain. Part of the funding package includes a $1.50 home delivery fee for goods purchased online and delivered to an individual's home. Vallivalam said legislation must include revenue sources, but he and his colleagues are open to suggestions from state House members. Finding ways to better coordinate bus and train schedules in Lake County is important. Vallivalam said waiting a long time is not helpful to people getting to and from work, especially when traveling between distant suburbs and the city. 'We don't want the last Pace bus to arrive at the Metra station after the last train has left for Chicago,' Vallivalam said. Some things that changed during the pandemic have remained because of the way people work. Vallivalam said Metra ridership has returned midweek but not on Mondays and Fridays. Working remotely on Mondays and Fridays is becoming the norm for some. Not everyone can use an automobile to travel where they need or want to go. Johnson said public transportation is an economic necessity for some, and they need to be accommodated by public transit. All four public officials urged people at the town hall to talk to their state representative and let them know their ideas about public transportation. When they return to Springfield, they want to be in a position to send the bill to Gov. J.B. Pritzker's desk. Vallivalam said he is confident. 'I do believe we're 99% there,' Vallivalam said. 'We have done the heavy negotiating. You need to inform your (state representatives) now because the opponents of this bill are doing that. We don't want to go off the cliff.'
Channel Post MEA
14-02-2025
- Business
- Channel Post MEA
National IT Academy and Microsoft Unveils Region's First Microsoft Datacenter Academy in KSA
Microsoft Arabia and the National IT Academy (NITA) announced the launch of the first Microsoft Datacenter Academy (DCA) in the Middle East in Saudi Arabia. The Microsoft DCA is a two-year commitment to empower students with a focus on building applied datacenter skills, thereby enhancing their employability in high-demand technical roles and contributing to the Kingdom's economic diversification. This initiative aims to develop Saudi Arabia's national workforce, fostering a strong talent pool to lead the region's datacenter industry, enhance digital infrastructure, and boost innovation. By equipping professionals with the expertise needed to drive the Kingdom's digital transformation, the Academy supports Saudi Vision 2030 and the government's objective to establish the Kingdom as a global hub for datacenters and innovation. The launch of the initiative also comes shortly after Microsoft shared updates on the development of its datacenter region in the Kingdom; construction is complete on three Azure Availability Zones with availability anticipated in 2026. Microsoft's datacenter region in Saudi Arabia is expected to have a transformative impact on the Kingdom's cloud market which is expected to grow at a CAGR of 23.4 percent to reach $3.9 billion in 2027. Commenting on this announcement Nora Al-Shaikh, NITA's Executive Director, said, 'This partnership with Microsoft represents a significant milestone in our journey to establish Saudi Arabia as a global hub for datacenters. The Microsoft Data Center Academy will empower professionals with the expertise needed to drive the Kingdom's digital transformation and realize the ambitions of Vision 2030.' The Microsoft Datacenter Academy builds on Microsoft's global efforts to provide accessible, practical, and high-quality training programs for the communities it operates in. By focusing on areas such as IT support, cloud technologies, and datacenter operations, the Academy equips participants with globally recognized certifications and the skills necessary to enter and excel in high-demand technical roles. This initiative not only introduces advanced technology but also ensures that qualified NITA students have access to the specialized skills needed to succeed in the rapidly evolving datacenter industry. For her part, Zainab Alamin, VP National Digital Transformation, Microsoft Arabia, stated: 'The launch of the first Microsoft Datacenter Academy in the Middle East underscores our commitment to supporting Saudi Arabia's ambitious vision to become a global hub for digital innovation. This academy will equip professionals with the highly specialized technical skills needed to thrive in the era of AI. Through this initiative, we are fostering local talent, creating new economic opportunities, and preparing the Kingdom's workforce to lead in the next generation of digital transformation.' The curriculum is carefully designed to align with the core competencies essential for datacenter roles across the technology sector, encompassing datacenter infrastructure management, IT support, troubleshooting, and mechanical services. It also incorporates experiential training in advanced areas such as Artificial Intelligence, data analytics, automation, and cyber security. Upon completion of the curriculum, students are eligible to earn either a certificate of completion or a diploma. 0 0
TECHx
13-02-2025
- Business
- TECHx
TECHx Media Microsoft, NITA Launch First Datacenter Academy in MENA
At LEAP 2025, Microsoft Arabia, in partnership with the National IT Academy (NITA), unveiled the first Microsoft Datacenter Academy (DCA) in the Middle East, based in Saudi Arabia. This two-year initiative aims to equip students with practical skills in datacenter management, enhancing their employability in high-demand technical roles and supporting the Kingdom's economic diversification efforts. The Microsoft DCA is designed to develop a strong local workforce capable of leading the region's datacenter industry, improving digital infrastructure, and fostering innovation. By offering specialized training in areas such as IT support, cloud technologies, and datacenter operations, the academy will contribute to Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, aligning with the government's goal to establish the Kingdom as a global hub for datacenters and innovation. This announcement follows Microsoft's update on its datacenter region in Saudi Arabia, where construction of three Azure Availability Zones has been completed. The new datacenter region is expected to transform the Kingdom's cloud market, projected to grow at a CAGR of 23.4% to reach $3.9 billion by 2027. Nora Al-Shaikh, Executive Director of NITA, commented: 'This partnership with Microsoft is a significant milestone in our journey to establish Saudi Arabia as a global hub for datacenters. The Microsoft Datacenter Academy will empower professionals with the expertise needed to drive the Kingdom's digital transformation and realize the ambitions of Vision 2030.' The Academy's curriculum is designed to align with essential competencies for datacenter roles, covering infrastructure management, IT support, troubleshooting, and mechanical services. Students will also receive training in advanced fields such as Artificial Intelligence, data analytics, automation, and cybersecurity. Graduates can earn either a certificate of completion or a diploma. Zainab Alamin, VP of National Digital Transformation at Microsoft Arabia, said: 'The launch of the first Microsoft Datacenter Academy in the Middle East demonstrates our commitment to supporting Saudi Arabia's ambition to become a global hub for digital innovation. This academy will empower professionals with specialized skills needed for the AI-driven future, creating new economic opportunities and preparing the Kingdom's workforce for the next generation of digital transformation.' The Microsoft Datacenter Academy builds on the company's global efforts to provide accessible, high-quality training programs to communities, ensuring that students are equipped with globally recognized certifications and the skills needed to excel in the rapidly evolving datacenter industry.
Al Bawaba
13-02-2025
- Business
- Al Bawaba
National IT Academy and Microsoft Launch the First Microsoft Datacenter Academy in the Middle East in Saudi Arabia
On the sidelines of LEAP 2025, Microsoft Arabia and the National IT Academy (NITA) announced the launch of the first Microsoft Datacenter Academy (DCA) in the Middle East in Saudi Arabia. The Microsoft DCA is a two-year commitment to empower students with a focus on building applied datacenter skills, thereby enhancing their employability in high-demand technical roles and contributing to the Kingdom's economic initiative aims to develop Saudi Arabia's national workforce, fostering a strong talent pool to lead the region's datacenter industry, enhance digital infrastructure, and boost innovation. By equipping professionals with the expertise needed to drive the Kingdom's digital transformation, the Academy supports Saudi Vision 2030 and the government's objective to establish the Kingdom as a global hub for datacenters and innovation. The launch of the initiative also comes shortly after Microsoft shared updates on the development of its datacenter region in the Kingdom; construction is complete on three Azure Availability Zones with availability anticipated in 2026. Microsoft's datacenter region in Saudi Arabia is expected to have a transformative impact on the Kingdom's cloud market which is expected to grow at a CAGR of 23.4 percent to reach $3.9 billion in 2027. Commenting on this announcement Nora Al-Shaikh, NITA's Executive Director, said, "This partnership with Microsoft represents a significant milestone in our journey to establish Saudi Arabia as a global hub for datacenters. The Microsoft Data Center Academy will empower professionals with the expertise needed to drive the Kingdom's digital transformation and realize the ambitions of Vision 2030."The Microsoft Datacenter Academy builds on Microsoft's global efforts to provide accessible, practical, and high-quality training programs for the communities it operates in. By focusing on areas such as IT support, cloud technologies, and datacenter operations, the Academy equips participants with globally recognized certifications and the skills necessary to enter and excel in high-demand technical roles. This initiative not only introduces advanced technology but also ensures that qualified NITA students have access to the specialized skills needed to succeed in the rapidly evolving datacenter industry. For her part, Zainab Alamin, VP National Digital Transformation, Microsoft Arabia, stated: "The launch of the first Microsoft Datacenter Academy in the Middle East underscores our commitment to supporting Saudi Arabia's ambitious vision to become a global hub for digital innovation. This academy will equip professionals with the highly specialized technical skills needed to thrive in the era of AI. Through this initiative, we are fostering local talent, creating new economic opportunities, and preparing the Kingdom's workforce to lead in the next generation of digital transformation." The curriculum is carefully designed to align with the core competencies essential for datacenter roles across the technology sector, encompassing datacenter infrastructure management, IT support, troubleshooting, and mechanical services. It also incorporates experiential training in advanced areas such as Artificial Intelligence, data analytics, automation, and cyber security. Upon completion of the curriculum, students are eligible to earn either a certificate of completion or a diploma. © 2000 - 2025 Al Bawaba (
Leaders
12-02-2025
- Business
- Leaders
Saudi Arabia Welcomes Middle East's First Microsoft Datacenter Academy
Microsoft Arabia and the National IT Academy (NITA) announced the Middle East's first Microsoft Datacenter Academy (DCA) in Saudi Arabia. This initiative marks a key milestone for the Kingdom's digital future, aligning with Vision 2030's economic diversification goals. Empowering Youth with Cutting-Edge Skills The two-year DCA program equips Saudi students with in-demand datacenter expertise, boosting their employability in high-growth technical fields. Additionally, the academy strengthens national efforts to build a tech-driven economy. Officials unveiled the initiative at LEAP 2025 in Riyadh, highlighting its regional significance. By nurturing local talent, the DCA addresses Saudi Arabia's urgent need for skilled professionals in the booming datacenter industry. Consequently, the program accelerates digital infrastructure development and innovation across sectors. Graduates will drive the Kingdom's AI and cloud computing advancements, directly supporting Vision 2030 targets. Advancing Saudi Arabia as a Global Tech Hub The academy reinforces Microsoft's commitment to Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to position the Kingdom as a global datacenter and innovation leader. Notably, Microsoft recently completed three Azure Availability Zones in Saudi Arabia, with operations set to begin by 2026. Saudi Arabia's cloud market, projected to grow 23.4% annually, could reach $3.9 billion by 2027. Microsoft's datacenter investments will transform this sector, unlocking unprecedented economic opportunities. Nora Al-Shaikh, NITA Executive Director, stated, 'This partnership with Microsoft propels Saudi Arabia toward global datacenter leadership.' She added, 'The DCA empowers professionals to achieve Vision 2030 through cutting-edge digital skills.' Global Standards Meet Local Needs The DCA delivers practical, globally certified training in IT support, cloud tech, and datacenter management. Students also gain expertise in AI, cybersecurity, and automation, ensuring readiness for regional and international roles. Zainab Alamin, Microsoft's VP of National Digital Transformation, said, 'This academy underscores our commitment to Saudi Arabia's rise as a digital innovation hub.' She emphasized, 'We're creating economic opportunities and preparing talent to lead in the AI era.' The academy's curriculum covers datacenter infrastructure, IT support, troubleshooting, and mechanical systems. Advanced modules include AI, data analytics, and cybersecurity. Graduates earn certificates or diplomas, validating their expertise for high-demand roles. Short link :
