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In line with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 and its National Transformation Program 2020, Siemens signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the MiSK Foundation. The MoU outlines the joint intention to expose a greater number of Saudi youth to advanced technologies, to expand the Kingdom’s tech community, and to develop the next generation of business leaders and experts in digital technology.
The MoU was signed at the inaugural MiSK Global Forum, a two-day event held under the patronage of HRH Prince Mohammad bin Salman. About 1,500 young people from Saudi Arabia and other parts of the Arab World attended the event, with thousands more joining online from all over the world. More than ninety international thought leaders spoke at the conference and addressed topics ranging from technology and entrepreneurship to leadership and culture.
Bader Al Asaker, the Secretary General of the MiSK Foundation and co-signatory to the Memorandum of Understanding said, “We’re delighted to be collaborating with Siemens, a global leader in Electrification, Automation and Digitalization. Technology is the fulcrum of our economic transformation. As Saudi Arabia reforms its economy and focuses on harnessing the potential of its youth, it is only natural that technology is playing a central role as a catalyst, channel and industry in its own right. But we can only build up our technology skills and infrastructure by collaborating with the best in the world, that’s why this initative from Siemens is of vital importance.”
Joe Kaeser, President and CEO of Siemens AG, delivered a keynote at the event. He talked about how Siemens is developing new ways of managing innovation and emphasized the importance of ecosystems and constructive disruption: “In the digital domain, innovation happens in ecosystems and where there is eagerness for impactful disruption. Today, the most powerful innovation is a combination of purpose, collaboration and ingenious disruption. We call this Ingenuity for life”
To become faster and more innovative, Siemens recently launched next47, a separate unit within the Group. Its mission is to foster disruptive ideas more vigorously and to accelerate the development of new technologies by collaborating with start-ups. The name “next47” refers to 1847, the year Siemens was founded in Germany.
The MiSK Foundation is a non-profit organization that was established by Deputy Crown Prince HRH Mohammad bin Salman. The foundation supports business, technology, science, arts, and societal development in Saudi Arabia by establishing programs and by collaborating with both local and global organizations. Through a variety of incubators, the Foundation is helping to develop intellectual capital and unlock the potential of all Saudi people. Its aspiration is to make Saudi Arabia a knowledge-based society that values lifelong learning.
As a partner, Siemens will participate in the upcoming MiSK Hackathon from November 25 to 27. This is the world’s first, two-nation, and 48-hour live broadcast hackathon and innovation challenge. It brings together the most inventive minds in Saudi Arabia and the UK to change the world by solving world health issues through innovation. Up to 400 young inventors and entrepreneurs based in London and Riyadh are competing in mixed teams of up to 10 people.
As a leading global provider of healthcare technologies, Siemens Healthineers will guide and mentor the young Saudi tech community during the event. The theme of this event is “The Medical Internet of Things.”
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Baschar Kassar
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Siemens in Saudi Arabia:
For more than 85 years, Siemens has provided innovative solutions to Saudi Arabia and contributed to the development of its infrastructure. Today, the company employs 2,000 people in the Kingdom. Together with our shareholder and long-term partner, E.A. Juffali and Brothers, Siemens is committed to supporting the development of Saudi Arabia.
“We make real what matters.” That’s our aspiration. That’s what we stand for. That’s what sets us apart. That’s the mission that inspires us.
Siemens AG (Berlin and Munich) is a global technology powerhouse that has stood for engineering excellence, innovation, quality, reliability, and internationality for more than 165 years. The company is active in more than 200 countries, focusing on the areas of electrification, automation, and digitalization. One of the world’s largest producers of energy-efficient, resource-saving technologies, Siemens is No. 1 in offshore wind turbine construction, a leading supplier of gas and steam turbines for power generation, a major provider of power transmission solutions and a pioneer in infrastructure solutions as well as automation, drive, and software solutions for industry. The company is also a leading provider of medical imaging equipment – such as computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging systems – and a leader in laboratory diagnostics as well as clinical IT. In fiscal 2015, which ended on September 30, 2015, Siemens generated revenue of €75.6 billion and net income of €7.4 billion. At the end of September 2015, the company had around 348,000 employees worldwide. Further information is available on the Internet at www.siemens.com.
MiSK Global Forum: The MiSK Foundation, created by HRH Prince Mohammad bin Salman, has established the MiSK Global Forum (MGF) to empower, nurture and inspire Saudi Arabia’s youth to fully realise their potential as part of the Kingdom’s on-going economic transformation.
The forum will see the brightest minds from more than 65 countries participating in the landmark initiative aimed at the Kingdom’s leaders of tomorrow. Major global leaders, high achievers and youth groups; experts in business, technology and innovation; entrepreneurs and successful sportspeople from around the world, will gather to a unique event where ideas will be shared, insights imparted and future success stories will begin.
MiSK’s inaugural global forum follows in the wake of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which prioritises the development of new opportunities for the youth in the Kingdom across technology and enterprise and wider economic innovation.
© Press Release 2016