Latest news with #stc
Al Bawaba
a day ago
- Business
- Al Bawaba
stc organizes workshops with the participation of more than 100 entrepreneurs to support startups
Kuwait Telecommunications Company – stc, a world-class digital leader providing innovative services and platforms to customers, enabling the digital transformation in Kuwait, hosted a series of interactive workshops under the 12th intake of the overall inspireU startup accelerator. The workshops were held at stc's training center and attracted the participation of over 100 aspiring entrepreneurs and startup as part of stc's inspireU accelerator, the objective of the workshops was to support and empower the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Kuwait. Led by industry pioneers, the workshops equipped participants with practical tools and strategic knowledge in preparation for joining the 12th intake of the overall inspireU accelerator. The sessions focused on key pillars essential to launching and scaling a successful startup, including pitch deck development, technology innovation, and securing workshop was led by prominent figures in Kuwait's startup and investment landscape. Abdullah Al Ateeqi, Co-Founder of Motery App, shared insights on building a scalable tech startup, whereas Abdulrahman Al Kharafi, CEO of Zad Fintech, covered financial strategies and innovation in the other hand, Dakhil Al Dakhil, CEO of Rasameel, delivered an engaging session on attracting and managing investments as well as provided an overview of the investment scene in Kuwait. For her part, Eng. Reem Al Farhan spoke about her experience at inspireU and offered guidance on enhancing companies' ability to participate in government tenders during a workshop attended by more than 30 business inspireU program, is strategically designed to accelerate the growth of innovative Kuwaiti startups and empower the next generation of entrepreneurs. In order to achieve this objective, the program organizes targeted workshops, hands-on training, and access to industry mentors, creating a dynamic environment that enables startups to succeed in today's evolving digital economy. Five Kuwaiti startups participated in the 'inspireU' accelerator's 10th and 11th graduation ceremony, organized by stc Group in Saudi Arabia last year. These startups have expanded their businesses and acquired several commercial projects, such as Motery, Central Trade Company (CTC), and Sparts. stc Group launched the "inspireU" accelerator ten years ago and then expanded the program to Kuwait through stc Kuwait. The accelerator attracted a large number of startups eager to benefit from the dedicated support that would enable them to grow and scale their businesses to achieve success in the competitive job market.
Saudi Gazette
3 days ago
- 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.
Arab News
7 days ago
- Business
- Arab News
Aramco, stc drive Saudi brands' value up 14% to $117bn, new report shows
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia's top 100 brands reached a combined valuation of $116.8 billion as of January, up 14 percent year on year, led by energy giant Aramco and telecom operator stc, according to a new report. Marketing consultancy firm Brand Finance said Aramco retained its position as the Kingdom's most valuable brand for the sixth consecutive year, with a valuation of $41.7 billion. The company's strength stems from its global oil production capabilities and investments in low-carbon technologies. The Kingdom's economy remains heavily influenced by its core sectors — energy, banking, and telecommunications — which together represent nearly 74 percent of the total brand value in the rankings. This sector concentration underscores Saudi Arabia's ongoing economic diversification efforts as part of its Vision 2030 strategy. Andrew Campbell, managing director, Brand Finance Middle East, said: 'Saudi Arabia's brand landscape is evolving at an impressive pace, driven by bold strategies, innovation, and a clear vision for the future.' He added: 'From long-standing powerhouses like Aramco and stc to fast-rising brands like Saudia and Almarai, there's a real sense of momentum across sectors. These brands are not only contributing to the Kingdom's economic transformation but also setting new benchmarks for excellence in the region and beyond.' The report further revealed that stc ranked as the Kingdom's second most valuable brand in 2025, with a valuation of $41.7 billion, up 16 percent year on year. This growth is primarily linked to the successful implementation of its Masterbrand strategy, which facilitated expansion into sectors like banking, cybersecurity, B2B, and IT services through strategic mergers and acquisitions. The report by the London-based brand valuation consultancy showed that stc is also ranked as the strongest brand in Saudi Arabia, earning a Brand Strength Index score of 88.7 out of 100 and an AAA rating. Its continued investment in 5G infrastructure and digital financial services has solidified its position as a telecom leader. An AAA rating is the highest possible credit or brand strength rating, indicating robust reliability, quality, and performance. With brand value up 20 percent to $4.7 billion, Dairy producer Almarai is recognized as the Kingdom's third strongest brand, earning a Brand Strength Index score of 85.5 out of 100 and an AAA brand strength rating. This follows the brand's collaboration with Google Cloud, launched in November, which is driving its digital transformation and enhancing operational efficiency. Almarai is also ranked as the top brand in Saudi Arabia for environmental, social, and governance performance, underscoring its strong commitment to ethical business practices, sustainable farming, and reducing carbon emissions. As for Saudia, its brand value surged by 34 percent to reach $1.1 billion in January, making it the fastest-growing Saudi brand and marking its first time crossing the billion-dollar milestone. This achievement is largely attributed to the airline's bold rebranding, along with advances in AI-driven customer service and infrastructure upgrades, which have significantly boosted its global brand visibility. The report further revealed that ROSHN Group, with a brand value of $1.1 billion, is the highest-ranked new entrant in the Kingdom this year. It also became the most valuable real estate brand in the country and secured a place among the top 20 brands overall. This debut reflects the company's strong financial performance and ambitious expansion strategy. 'Saudi Arabia's brand landscape is evolving at an impressive pace, driven by bold strategies, innovation, and a clear vision for the future. It's particularly exciting to see new entrants like ROSHN Group make such a strong debut, showing that diversification and ambition are paying off,' Campbell added.
Al Bawaba
21-05-2025
- Business
- Al Bawaba
stc earns ISO 45001:2018 and ISO 37301:2021 certification
Kuwait Telecommunications Company – stc, a world-class digital leader providing innovative services and platforms to customers, enabling the digital transformation in Kuwait, announced that it has been awarded the ISO 45001:2018 certification for Occupational Health and Safety Management, and ISO 37301:2021 certification for Compliance Management Systems. These achievements align with stc's strategic approach to implementing the highest international standards across its operations, further strengthening its position as a responsible and trusted telecom newly awarded ISO 45001:2018 certification on 27th Feb 2025, recognizes stc's commitment to fostering a safe and healthy working environment for its stakeholders. The certification provides an internationally recognized framework for identifying and managing occupational health and safety risks, strengthening stc's efforts to minimize workplace hazards and enhance employee well-being. stc considers the welfare of its employees, partners, and stakeholders to be an essential component integrated into its safety standards and culture. In parallel, stc awarded ISO 37301:2021 certification for Compliance Management Systems, which is earned as a first in Kuwait on 9 Jan 2025. Maintaining this certification demonstrates the Company's commitment to strong governance, ethical conduct, and regulatory compliance. Throughout its years' operating in the Kuwaiti market, stc maintained a high standard when it comes to complying with regulators and strictly adhering to all requirements set by governing and regulatory bodies, whether within the telecom or other sectors that are related to the Company's activities. It also highlights the robust internal systems and policies stc has established to ensure transparency, accountability, and alignment with international best practices. In a statement, stc indicated that earning these certifications comes as part of its reach strategy, strategic pillars that the Company has defined to grow and advance its operations and solutions, while providing customers with a unique experience built on business excellence. The Company has been strategically focusing on embedding world-class health, safety, and compliance practices into every level of the organization. This is why the ISO certifications are not viewed as standalone milestones, but integral elements of stc's long-term commitment to operational efficiency and responsible corporate governance. Through rigorous frameworks and consistent execution, stc aims to continuing leading by example in the telecom sector, aligning internal systems with international standards to support future growth and certifications further position stc as a though leader and responsible corporate entity, committed to continuous improvement across its critical and diverse functions. Whether by enhancing workplace safety or maintaining a culture of compliance, stc remains focused on delivering value to its stakeholders while achieving sustainable growth for its business lines. © 2000 - 2025 Al Bawaba ( Signal PressWire is the world's largest independent Middle East PR distribution service.
Trade Arabia
19-05-2025
- Business
- Trade Arabia
PwC, sirar by stc certify first cohort of CISO500 leaders
PwC Middle East has announced that it has joined forces with sirar by stc to successfully conclude the first cohort of training for the CISO500 programme, an exclusive initiative designed to strengthen Saudi Arabia's cybersecurity capabilities. This five-day intensive training marks a significant milestone in the programme's mission to support the kingdom's efforts in enhancing cybersecurity leadership and developing executive-level cyber talent. Launched at LEAP 2025, it reflects a shared commitment to advancing Vision 2030 through cyber leadership. Participants, drawn from key sectors including tourism and hospitality, technology, defence, banking, entertainment and culture, infrastructure and energy, education, health, and real estate, felt that the programme was both highly valuable and closely aligned with their professional needs, said PwC Middle East in a statement. The programme aims to develop 500 highly skilled Saudi CISOs over five years, strengthening the Kingdom's cyber defences and advancing workforce nationalisation, it stated. Participants receive internationally recognised certification from PwC Middle East, along with advanced technical training and strategic leadership development, aligned with the National Cybersecurity Strategy. The cohorts, consisting of 19 Saudi nationals selected from over 1,000 applicants, included cybersecurity professionals from some of the Kingdom's most strategically significant organisations, it stated. Their involvement in these critical industries shows how the skills and knowledge gained will support a wide range of the Kingdom's initiatives and sectors, driving forward its long-term transformation agenda, it added. PwC Middle East said over five days, participants engaged in immersive workshops and hands-on scenarios covering strategy, compliance, digital transformations, AI and emerging technology, cyber resilience, risk management, and strategic governance among others. The programme highlighted the CISO's evolving role from a cybersecurity leader to a business enabler powering the national agenda. Leveraging practical, real-world experience from senior leadership, who contributed over 100 hours of training and insights. In addition, Directors and Senior Managers provided 150 hours, while Managers and Senior Consultants added over 300 hours. This hands-on guidance ensured the content was not only highly relevant but also rooted in the real-world challenges faced by these professionals. Samer Omar, Cybersecurity & Digital Trust Leader at PwC Middle East, said: "Cybersecurity is no longer just a technical issue, it's central to national progress. As Saudi Arabia transforms, the CISO500 programme is enabling a new generation of leaders to manage risk, drive resilience, and protect value. This is about building trusted leadership at the heart of the Kingdom's digital future." The initiative supports cross-organisational knowledge exchange and positions cybersecurity professionals as key enablers of national and business resilience, stated Omar. The curriculum blends theory with application, empowering participants to protect infrastructure and drive innovation across sectors, he added. Yasser Alswailem, CEO of sirar by stc, said: "Through this initiative, we contribute to strengthening the kingdom's leadership in a secure digital future and support the goals of Vision 2030 in building national capabilities." "Our collaboration with PwC Middle East reflects our commitment to advancing cybersecurity standards by empowering leaders and sharing knowledge in line with global best practices," he added. Each graduate will mentor future cohorts, creating a self-sustaining leadership network that enhances cyber maturity across the Kingdom. By directly addressing the national talent gap, where demand for cyber leaders continues to grow, the programme helps build the leadership capacity needed for a secure digital future.
