Microsoft announced a partnership with the Central Agency for Information Technology (CAIT) to launch the Kuwait Digital Transformation Enterprise Skilling Programme – a bold initiative that will empower government employees to achieve more by enhancing their skillsets in technologies such as cloud, artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things.
The programme was announced at the seventh edition of the Kuwait eGovernment Forum (EGOV7), held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, Prime Minister of Kuwait. With a theme of “Smart Government Trends”, the event shed light on the most influential technology phenomena across global smart government initiatives, namely cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT) and mobility.
“Our deep belief in the goals of the Kuwait Vision 2035 is imperative for us to do our utmost to accelerate digital transformation and promote sustainable growth,” said Haya Al-Wadani, Director General, Central Agency for Information Technology (CAIT). “This requires focusing on our current skills and abilities, therefore, one of the most important objectives of the Central Information Technology Authority is to develop the skills and abilities of government employees in the field of information technology. This initiative comes in collaboration with one of our key partners, Microsoft, to build national capacities and meet the requirements of our digital transformation plan.”
“We will work closely with Microsoft through this initiative of excellence in digital transformation, to train national cadres in all government agencies in the use of technology, and contribute to the creation of new skills to match the pace of current development – and contribute to the realization of Kuwait Vision 2035.” She added.
The Digital Transformation Enterprise Skilling Programme will include a range of courses that cover fundamentals such as artificial intelligence, cloud migration, the development of applications and the modernisation of IT infrastructures. In the first phase, Microsoft will train more than 650 government employees over an eight-month period, empowering them to harness the power of the intelligent cloud and deliver meaningful contributions to the pursuit of Kuwait Vision 2035.
“Microsoft’s work with CAIT on this initiative is an extension of our commitment to Kuwait and encourage lifelong learning,” said Alaeddine Karim, Country Manager, Microsoft Kuwait. “We passionately believe in the necessity of skilling, upskilling and reskilling to fill professional gaps within economies so that they can grow and thrive. We look forward to working closely with CAIT in this area and equip the government sector’s workforce with the right skills to accelerate digital transformation for the government of Kuwait”
Microsoft’s participation at EGOV7 brings the message of “Trust, Transform and Innovate”. The company’s booth showcased digitally transformative technologies such as artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things that governments can use to deliver economic ambitions, nurture entrepreneurship, and boost job creation and private sector innovation.
At EGOV7, Microsoft also showcased the “Office of the Future” through an array of Surface devices, and launched the versatile and powerful Surface Hub 2S for the Kuwait market. In addition, Ali Haddad, Government Sector Manager, Microsoft Kuwait, delivered a keynote address on smart government trends, and how Microsoft technologies are being used to deliver such innovations across Kuwait. Ali also stressed on the role of innovation and digital skilling as a core component for leaders to succeed in their digital transformation journeys.
“Governments in today’s digital, connected world can engage citizens, empower employees, optimise operations and reinvent the delivery of government services,” Karim added. “They have the opportunity to modernise the workplace and optimise costs; the Microsoft intelligent cloud is at the core of this. CAIT and the Government of Kuwait have worked tirelessly to realise the goals of Vision 2035, and we will continue to work with them to empower them to achieve more.”
As part of its commitment to foster entrepreneurship in Kuwait and diversify the economic landscape, Microsoft also hosted a startup, KickWin at its booth during EGOV. Built on the Microsoft Cloud, KickWin has developed a football event management application for football lovers to organize matches and tournaments in local areas and build communities in an easy, trouble-free, and seamless way.
