Tuesday, 26 February 2008

JEDDAH - Knowledge Economic City Al-Madinah (KEC) and Microsoft will establish an information technology (IT) academy "in five years" under a strategic partnership agreement signed here on Monday between the two major companies.

"KEC Al-Madinah is the new base for knowledge-based industries and spreading knowledge," Tahir Bawazir, CEO, KEC, told reporters at the press conference on the occasion of the signing of the accord.

The accord was signed by Bawazir on behalf of KEC, and Dr. Khaled Al-Dhaher, general manager for Microsoft in Saudi Arabia.

Ambition and vision are to be fused together in keeping with the reality that is KEC, and meet an important aspect of the City. 

"The important thing about today's announcement is really the beginning of a very strategic collaboration to bring the value of leading edge technology to the region", said Mohammed Shah, chief technology officer, KEC.

Under the partnership, a Microsoft Academy will be set up to train Saudis on the basic utilization of technology. Complimenting the academy will be the establishment of a Microsoft library with IT books, trial software and other learning material.

The agreement will also drive the formation of incubators to provide young entrepreneurs with an encouraging environment to establish healthy and promising businesses and thrive within a knowledge economy.

Al-Dhaher said: "At Microsoft, we have always believed that one of the most important aspects of technology is its potential to help create social and economic opportunities.

This strategic partnership with KEC will help propel local scientific and technological innovation as new ideas create new businesses and new jobs, improve productivity, and enhance human welfare.

Building local capacity for innovation and entrepreneurship is essential for people of Saudi Arabia to participate in the success of a knowledge economy."

"With the help of Microsoft, one of the world's leading software solutions providers, KEC will become a new hub where future innovators will be able to develop their ideas, grow, and become tomorrow's scientists and technology leaders of the Islamic world," Bawazir said.

The objective of incubators is to help young Saudis to be gainfully employed and contribute to the economic and technological growth and development of the country.

This is being made possible in  Al-Madinah - at the doorstep of the Kingdom and the region - to meet the growing demand for expertise in the field of IT in terms of technical qualifications.

The Microsoft Academy will comprise of experts made available through Microsoft's access to experts and a network of partners that they will be able to bring to operate the academy.

As for incubators, young Saudis who have an entrepreneurial spirit, who are excited by research and development, who have a passion for using technology as a business base, will have sky as the limit.

Even those who are already in business would be able to participate in incubator and research and development because every business wants to continuously innovate to stay competitive.

In line with this partnership,  KEC, demonstrates its  much larger vision and outlook to secure the services of the qualified personnel available in the Islamic world.

It is in tune with the character and role of the city, from which knowledge spread to enrich peoples all around the world.

"KEC Al-Madinah is not only the base for knowledge-based industries (KBIs) , but it is also a strategic and planned means for sourcing and utilizing the services of the rich talent one finds in the Islamic world," Bawazir said.

He added that the very location of KEC is an encouragement for investors to attract Muslim scientists and workers in KBIs, who in turn would also welcome a chance to be near the Holy City, and enjoy the tranquil and spiritual environment.

KEC is determined to improve and utilize the human capital in the Islamic world, which is vital for socio-economic development, because it sees that as the best way to overcome the changing nature of challenges facing the Muslim Ummah and prepare it for the 21st century.

With an aggregated investment of more than SR30 billion, KEC will provide more than 20,000 jobs in the medical, academic, cultural and commercial sectors, and help restore the pioneering scientific role of the cradle of Islam - "Taiba Al-Tayebah."

It will also create accommodation for as many as 150,000 people.

By Querubin J. Miñas

© The Saudi Gazette 2008