e& UAE and Microsoft and have launched the AI for Business Skilling Programme, an initiative designed to equip small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) with essential AI skills. 

 

This initiative underscores both companies' commitment to fostering AI-led digital transformation and empowering SMBs with the knowledge and tools needed to thrive in today’s AI-driven business landscape, said a statement.

 

The AI for Business Skilling Programme is a comprehensive initiative that provides SMBs with tailored AI learning tracks, ensuring businesses of all sizes and industries can effectively integrate AI into their operations. The programme features three specialised learning tracks:

• AI for Business Leaders: Equips senior leaders with AI strategies to drive digital transformation and innovation within their organisations.

• AI for Business Users: Offers practical AI courses for professionals in Marketing, Sales, Finance, HR, Legal, and Administration, enhancing operational efficiency.

• AI for Everyone: Provides foundational AI skills for beginners, helping them build confidence in adopting AI-driven solutions.

 

The training programme will be available on the Spectrum platform, offering an intuitive and seamless learning experience for participants.

 

This programme leverages Microsoft’s industry-leading AI expertise and e& UAE’s strong network capabilities to provide businesses with the most relevant and impactful AI education. As part of this initiative, SMBs will gain access to Microsoft’s top-tier AI training content, including:

• AI Fluency Courses: Available in multiple languages, ensuring accessibility to a wide audience.

• Microsoft Applied Skills Programme: Hands-on learning experiences designed to help SMBs earn Microsoft-verified AI credentials.

• AI Bootcamps for Educators: Training sessions to support educators in integrating AI into their curriculum, delivered through Microsoft’s global network of Training Service Partners.

 

"At e& UAE, we are committed to equipping businesses with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in the digital economy. The launch of the AI for Business Skilling Programme in collaboration with Microsoft marks a significant step in our mission to empower SMBs with cutting-edge AI capabilities. Through this initiative, we are ensuring that businesses of all sizes can leverage AI to enhance efficiency, boost innovation, and remain competitive in an evolving digital world,” said Esam Mahmoud, Senior Vice President, SMB, e& UAE.

 

Ahmed Hamzawy, Chief Partnership Officer at Microsoft UAE, added: "At Microsoft, we believe in empowering organisations of all sizes with the tools and knowledge to succeed. This initiative with e& UAE is a testament to our shared vision of making AI more accessible to businesses across the region. By offering comprehensive AI training through this programme, we are helping SMBs harness the power of AI to unlock new growth opportunities and drive digital transformation."

 

Businesses interested in participating in the AI for Business Skilling Programme can visit https://eand.specnt.com to learn more and register.

-TradeArabia News Service

In a strategic collaboration aimed at nurturing the next generation of hospitality leaders, Vatel Hotel & Tourism Business School has forged a partnership with Hawar Resort by Mantis, a pioneering eco-luxury establishment located on the Unesco World Heritage site of Hawar Island. 

 

This collaboration underscores the Vatel Bahrain’s commitment to fostering industry-academia synergies and equipping its students with unparalleled practical training experiences.  

 

"Facilitating our students' training at this esteemed resort, a trailblazer in sustainable luxury tourism within the Gulf and the broader Middle Eastern region, represents an astute investment in the development of their capabilities and proficiencies," said Sheikh Khaled bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, General Director of Vatel Bahrain.

 

"This invaluable opportunity empowers our aspiring hospitality professionals to refine their skills in state-of-the-art facilities that parallel the industry's highest benchmarks," stated Sheikh Khaled. 

 

"This effort aligns with Vatel Bahrain’s dedication to offering its students internship opportunities across various hotels under the Accor Group umbrella, one of the largest hotel groups in the Middle East and globally," he added.

 

In a statement on the sidelines of signing the MoU with Hawar Resort by Mantis, Sheikh Khaled emphasized the distinctive nature of the resort, being among the first luxury eco-resorts in the Gulf and the broader Middle Eastern region. 

 

This prestigious establishment will provide Vatel Bahrain students with high-level training in the sector of luxury tourism, as well as various facets of hospitality, tourism, and hotel operations, thereby enhancing their potential to attain remarkable success and distinction in the dynamic labour market.

 

The strategic location of Hawar Resort by Mantis on the pristine Hawar Island, a Unesco-designated World Heritage Site, presents an unmatched learning environment for Vatel students. 

 

This immersive experience will enable them to acquire comprehensive insights into the intricate operations and best practices of luxury facilities that cater to discerning international and domestic travellers, he stated. 

 

Furthermore, it will equip them with the essential competencies requisite for securing coveted positions within the hospitality sector upon the conclusion of their academic journey, he added.

 

Sheikh Khaled said one of Vatel Bahrain’s recent graduates, Abdullah Traif, was part of the pre-opening team at Hawar Resort by Mantis and now holds the position of Housekeeping Supervisor at the resort. 

 

"Abdullah’s success is a living example of the quality education and training provided by Vatel Bahrain, which empowers our graduates to become key contributors in the hospitality sector," he stated.

 

Mohammad Ali Kunhi, Hotel Manager of Hawar Resort by Mantis, said: "We are delighted to forge this partnership with Vatel Bahrain, which will establish our resort as a premier training partner for the esteemed institution."

 

"This alliance will provide invaluable opportunities for Bahraini talents to engage in hands-on training within the dynamic work environment of Hawar Resort by Mantis, a sought-after destination renowned for delivering an integrated experience of relaxation amidst the captivating natural splendor of Hawar Island. We are confident that this collaboration will offer rich and diverse experiences to the college's students, furthering their professional development," he added.-TradeArabia News Service

Mered, the award-winning international real estate developer, is supporting the inaugural Pininfarina Academy, an educational initiative by Pininfarina, a global icon of Italian design. 

 

The academy is dedicated to fostering excellence in architectural design among emerging industry professionals, providing them with the opportunity to learn from world-renowned experts and explore cutting-edge design concepts at the company’s headquarters in Turin, Italy. 

 

As part of this initiative, Mered will sponsor four students to attend the Pininfarina Architecture Summer School.

 

The exclusive 3 X 3 X 3 Summer School launches this July with a course integrating advanced design techniques and Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA) in contemporary architecture. 

The program is tailored to equip young architects with the skills and expertise to redefine modern architecture and urban development, said Mered in a statement. 

 

Participants will engage in hands-on workshops, keynote lectures by industry leaders, and practical applications of state-of-the-art technology, including AI-driven design, parametric modelling, and immersive VR/AR tools, it stated.

 

By sponsoring four students, Mered reinforces its mission to redefine premium developments through visionary design and strategic partnerships by nurturing next-generation talent. 

 

With a portfolio that includes the ultra-luxury 290-m-tall Iconic Residences in Dubai Design by Pininfarina, an upcoming waterfront project in Abu Dhabi and having entered the Saudi Arabian market, Mered is shaping the future of high-end real estate, said the developer. 

 

The Pininfarina Architecture Summer School will be held from July 14 to 25, 2025, and instruction will be conducted in English. 

 

Applications are open to a select 12 aspiring architects, offering them a unique learning experience, the chance to connect with like-minded peers, and the opportunity to collaborate with industry leaders, it added.