(12 May 2018)
In the presence of H.E. Omar Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT), represented by its Centre of Excellence for Applied Research and Training (CERT), signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Oracle, the global company specialised in computer software, Information Technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI). The two sides will cooperate in the nation’s capacity building and student training and empowerment in AI technologies.
The agreement includes providing specialised training to obtain Oracle professional certification in AI technologies, as well as introducing a specialised programme in AI.
The MoU was signed by H.E. Dr. Abdullatif Al Shamsi, Vice Chancellor of HCT, and Arun Khehar, Oracle's Senior Vice President for the Applications Business for Eastern Central Europe, Middle East and Africa (ECEMEA).
Al Olama: Capacity building is vital of employing AI technologies
H.E. Omar Sultan Al Olama emphasised that preparing qualified young Emiratis who are capable of using AI technologies and tools to develop solutions for current and future challenges, is key to the government's efforts to achieve the UAE Strategy for Artificial Intelligence.
Al Olama said, “academic institutions in the UAE play a key role in developing educational and training programmes and introducing disciplines that prepare the next generation of leaders who are capable of developing key sector.”
The Minister of State for AI commended the initiatives of academic institutions in the UAE to develop their educational curricula. He praised HCT’s initiative to launch this specialised programme in AI science and technologies.
Abdullatif Al Shamsi: Empowering students with tools and skills of the future
Dr. Abdullatif Al Shamsi highlighted the importance of cooperating with Oracle, the global organisation specialised in modern technologies, especially AI. Over the past years, HCT have worked closely with Oracle in technology education. This MoU enhances partnership between the two sides to benefit the students and empower them with skills of the future. He noted that today, we face the challenges associated with the rapid advances, especially in AI technologies. We see this in the Internet of Things (IoT), drones, Big Data, and other technologies that shape the future of the industry and global economic growth. This makes it necessary to empower the youth with these technologies to help them contribute to the UAE development through ideas and innovations related to technological developments.
Dr. Al Shamsi added that the agreement with Oracle allows students to visit the Innovation Hub to learn from experts about AI concepts and applications and how to employ them to promote happiness in society. Specialised training will be provided to around 500 students who will be divided into weekly training groups. They will experience first-hand an interesting and realistic experience of various AI applications, and will receive certificates of completion after finishing the training course. HCT will also discuss with Oracle the possibility of introducing an applied academic programme in AI for students to train and get a professional specialised certificate in AI. This will enhance their skills and career prospects after graduation, as well as support one of HCT’s strategic objectives to help students obtain international professional certification.
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