Kuwait’s digital future is undergoing a paradigm shift, marked by strategic advances in SAP technologies. The pivotal focus areas are the cultivation of local technological talents, shifting businesses to the cloud, building sturdy supply chains, and developing sustainable enterprises. The collective effort is aimed at transforming Kuwait into a digital economy powerhouse.
The SAP Discovery Day in Kuwait was a momentous occasion, hosting a dynamic confluence of government officials, industry leaders, and the German ambassador. This meeting of minds was geared towards forging a road map to transform Kuwait into a significant player in the digital economy. A primary enabler of this transformation is the synergy between SAP and Google Cloud, which is working in concert to accelerate businesses’ digital transformations.
One of the key outcomes of this collaboration is the opportunity for Kuwaiti businesses to choose between two SAP acceleration programs: RISE with SAP or GROW with SAP. Thanks to Google Cloud’s local data center, these businesses can now benefit from an extensive suite of SAP cloud solutions, equipped with automatically updated programs and cutting-edge technologies like AI, automation, data analytics, and sustainability metrics.
Echoing the importance of such innovations, Dr. Khaled Mahdi from Kuwait’s General Secretariat of The Supreme Council for Planning and Development shared his insights. He articulated how emerging technologies will serve as a crucial pillar in shaping Kuwait’s future planning and development in the context of public policy, emphasizing the potential benefits of AI incorporation into decision-making processes for Kuwaiti citizens.
Accelerating Kuwait’s Digital Transformation
Reiterating the pivotal role of public-private partnerships in advancing digital transformation, Dr. Ammar Alhusaini, Acting Director General of the Central Agency for Information Technology (CAIT), highlighted how these collaborations can catalyze the pace of digital change in Kuwait. Saud Al Ajmi, the Director of IT for the Ministry of Electricity and Water and Renewable Energy, shed light on technology’s transformative role in these sectors, especially in terms of sustainability and infrastructure security.
Parallel insights came from the private sector, including the CEO of Floward, Abdulaziz Al Loughani; CIO of Al-Sayer Group Holding, Dr. Alexious Mulemba; and Magd Donia, General Manager of KASP. The discussion centered on SAP’s commitment to creating career opportunities for tech talents, expanding the SAP ecosystem, and training individuals in skills required by SAP’s partners and customers.
Germany’s Ambassador to Kuwait, Hans-Christian von Reibnitz, also underscored the strong bilateral relations between Kuwait and Germany, where SAP is headquartered. He acknowledged SAP’s pivotal role in propelling Kuwait’s digital transformation agenda and welcomed opportunities for German and Kuwaiti entities to collaborate in fields such as green technology, AI, the Internet of Things (IoT), and cloud computing.
Shaping a Future-Ready Digital Workforce with SAP Technologies
SAP, during the event, underscored its commitment to nurturing and upgrading Kuwaiti tech talent. Key initiatives such as the SAP University Alliances, the SAP Dual Study Programme, and the SAP Young Professionals Programme are designed to shape a future-ready digital workforce.
Meanwhile, the SAP University Alliances is also a persistent initiative aimed at empowering young minds to create a sustainable future by leading digital transformations. This initiative not only forms industry partnerships but also contributes to creating a digital workforce through education in Intelligent Enterprise and the experience economy.
The SAP Dual Study Program, facilitated by the Digital Skills Center of SAP, offers certifications in analytics, implementation processes, and control functions, thereby bridging the gap between university education and employment. Lastly, the SAP Young Professionals Programme is a comprehensive training initiative that prepares university graduates for a career in tech. Graduates of this program step out as SAP Associate Consultants, ready for immediate employment by SAP customers and partners.
Badih Hakim, Managing Director of SAP Kuwait, highlighted the strategic partnerships between SAP and educational institutions, and local businesses. The collaboration, he emphasized, can bolster measurable skills development, preparing students for a successful future aligned with Kuwait’s digital transformation focus. As a testament to its commitment to Kuwait, SAP has been proactive in providing career opportunities for locals, with Hakim further sharing that the proportion of nationals employed by the company had risen to 30% in the past year.
The SAP Discovery Day served as a vibrant platform demonstrating SAP’s commitment to aligning businesses with the government’s digital transformation agenda. By investing in automation and data analytics capabilities, SAP technologies are also poised to revolutionize Kuwait’s business landscape, morphing them into intelligent, sustainable enterprises. As this technology continues to evolve and expand, it promises to play a pivotal role in reshaping Kuwait’s digital economy, paving the way for an exciting future for local businesses and the next generation of digital leaders.
