Latest news with #NoraAl-Shaikh
Arab News
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Arab News
Saudi fashion event highlights retail trends, youth culture, and digital innovation
RIYADH: A Riyadh fashion seminar on Sunday brought together industry leaders and creatives to explore the future of Saudi Arabia's fashion economy. Hosted by Chalhoub Group at Lakum Art Space, the event featured keynote presentations, panel discussions, and displays by 10 emerging Saudi designers from The Fashion Lab Cohort 2. The agenda focused on three main themes: the evolution of fashion retail in the Kingdom; the role of cultural identity in building brands; and the rising importance of digital fashion and collaboration. An awards ceremony honored the standout talents of this year's cohort: APOA, Awaken, Bucketbox, Mona Al-Shebil, Noble & Fresh, Nora Al-Shaikh, Rebirth, Samar Nasraldin, The Untitled Project and USCITA. Hosted by Chalhoub Group at Lakum Art Space, the event featured keynote presentations, panel discussions, and displays by 10 emerging Saudi designers from The Fashion Lab Cohort 2. One discussion explored consumer behavior in Saudi Arabia, revealing that the local market continues to grow despite global slowdowns. Speakers noted that the increase in entertainment activities such as concerts and dining in the Kingdom in recent years has led to higher demand for fashion products because people are looking for ways to express themselves. Retail experiences — both physical and digital — were emphasized as key to engaging Saudi consumers. Youth culture, streetwear and sports are shaping brand narratives, a panel heard. Speakers discussed how fashion is being used as a tool for cultural storytelling, with an emphasis on grassroots creativity and community building. Another topic highlighted the power of collaboration between local and international brands. Panelists discussed the importance of long-term partnerships, manufacturing localization, and mentorship to bridge gaps in knowledge and infrastructure. Speakers also addressed the future of digital fashion, including virtual design, retail innovation, and new marketing strategies targeting Gen Z. Saudi Arabia's growing role in shaping the regional and global fashion economy was a prominent theme of the discussions.
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 :
