Intelligent CIO Middle East Issue 108 | Page 12

NEWS

flyadeal partners with Coursera to reskill employees for digital world

flyadeal , one of the youngest and fastest-growing low-cost airlines in the Saudi Arabia and across the Middle East , has partnered with Coursera , a global online learning platform , to help reskill its employees for today ’ s digital world . This partnership aims to equip flyadeal ’ s workforce with skills in areas such as technology , business , supply chain management , customer service , operational efficiency , and finance .

With the rapid advancements in technology and AI , the need for continuous learning has never been more critical . According to the World Economic Forum , 44 % of workers ’ skills will be disrupted in the next five years as technology adoption accelerates .
Furthermore , WEF forecasts that 60 % of workers will require retraining before 2027 , but only half of workers currently have access to adequate training opportunities .
In light of these trends , Saudi Arabia ’ s Vision 2030 aims to cultivate a skilled workforce that will help drive economic growth and diversification through comprehensive skills development initiatives .
Through this partnership , flyadeal ’ s employees , including cabin crew , office employees , and maintenance staff , will have access to a broad catalogue of world-class content and credentials from top universities and reputable industry leaders . This access is designed to enhance their skills , boost productivity , and help them stay competitive in the evolving job market .
Hanan Badri , flyadeal Chief People Officer , said : “ In the highly competitive world we live in , it is important to provide employees with the necessary skills to evolve into the next phase of their careers .”
“ We hope these free tools will give employees the confidence to embrace more learning opportunities to better themselves , to seek promotional opportunities and continue being part of the exciting journey of dynamic growth that flyadeal has embarked on .”
flyadeal seeks to reinforce a culture of continuous learning , leveraging Coursera ’ s robust online ecosystem to offer their employees a variety of accessible and dynamic learning opportunities .

Black Hat MEA 2024 is now largest global cybersecurity event at 53,000 + sqm

Black Hat MEA 2024 , the world ’ s fastestgrowing cybersecurity event , will set a global record as the largest cybersecurity event by space , at over 53,000 square metres , when the event opens its doors from November 26 – 28 at the Riyadh Exhibition and Convention Centre in Malham .

Now in its fourth year and welcoming over 40,000 guests , BlackHat MEA 2024 will witness a 135 % increase in startups at the event from 2023 , as well as a 52 % increase in new brands taking part in the 2024 edition .
There will be eight hacking villages this year , featuring content around the cybersecurity of everything from cars and trucks , to ATM machines and the latest security measures employed in today ’ s smart homes . The event will also host over 330 speakers , 335 sessions and 175 hours of content .
“ Building on the event ’ s 25-year history , Black Hat MEA has grown rapidly in just three editions and is now the world ’ s largest cybersecurity gathering by floor space . This reflects Saudi Arabia ’ s significant investments in the cyber sector , with both government and private entities driving innovation and resilience . The event will bring regional and international decision-makers together to address pressing cyber issues that require global collaboration ,” said Annabelle Mander , Senior Vice President of Tahaluf .
Black Hat MEA will play a critical role in elevating the global cybersecurity conversation with new additions to the 2024 speaker and stage lineup . Vijay Bolina of Google DeepMind and Ugo Vignolo Lutati of the Prada Group have been confirmed as keynote speakers for Black Hat ’ s fourth edition and the pair join speakers from Coca-Cola , Scale AI , Peloton , Relativity Space , Wendy ’ s , Panasonic , and World Wide Technology amongst others .
The Announcement Segment at Black Hat MEA is set to be a highlight of the event , where organisations will take the main stage to unveil impactful news shaping the cybersecurity landscape .
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