Dubai / Walldorf, Germany – In a strategic move to future-proof the Middle East’s workforce, global software giant SAP is aggressively rolling out a series of cutting-edge technology training initiatives, with a keen focus on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and enterprise software skills. The ambitious programmes are set to bridge the yawning gap between academic learning and industry demands, nurturing a new generation of digital leaders across the region.
Leading the charge is the recently launched Business AI Roadshow in the UAE. This interactive tour, a collaborative effort involving SAP University Alliances, the SAP Business Women’s Network, Deloitte, and Zayed University, is introducing university students to the transformative power of AI in a business context. Through live demonstrations and hands-on activities, students are gaining invaluable insights into how SAP technologies are not just shaping, but actively revolutionising, the future of work.
“Through these programs, we’re helping to nurture a new generation of talent that will lead the digital transformation of the region,” stated Marwan Zeineddine, Managing Director of SAP UAE. “Empowering youth with advanced skills in AI and digital technologies is essential for building the knowledge economies of tomorrow.”
The roadshow’s immersive sessions delve into real-world applications of AI, showcasing how companies across diverse industries are embedding this technology into their core operations to solve complex business challenges. The aim is to equip students with practical acumen to navigate and thrive in an increasingly digital-first workplace.
This regional drive follows on the heels of SAP’s highly successful inaugural MENA Learning Tour. A select cohort of university students from across the Middle East had the unparalleled opportunity to visit SAP’s global headquarters in Walldorf, Germany. There, they engaged directly with top executives, including CEO Christian Klein, gaining firsthand exposure to groundbreaking innovation through bespoke workshops, laboratory sessions, and invaluable career mentorship. Students even had the chance to pitch their own business cases, explore design thinking methodologies, and experience the dynamic, agile collaborative environment synonymous with working at SAP.
The feedback from participants has been overwhelmingly positive. Mouza Alnuaimi, an Information Technology and Network Security student at Zayed University, UAE, enthused about her experience: “From day one, we were immersed in a learning journey, from Design Thinking sessions on AI to engaging with professional mentors. Living a day alongside SAP employees and experiencing their passion was inspiring.”
Adding another powerful arrow to its educational quiver, SAP has also globally launched the SAP Learning Hub, Student Edition. This innovative online platform democratises access to a vast repository of over 1,500 learning assets, including interactive e-learning courses, expert-led webinars, and practical hands-on practice systems. Students can now follow curated learning paths meticulously aligned with emerging job roles in critical areas such as AI, data analytics, and enterprise resource planning.
Beyond self-paced study, the Hub fosters a vibrant learning ecosystem through exclusive access to community-led study groups and live Q&A sessions with SAP experts, facilitating peer collaboration and real-time feedback. Crucially, learners can earn industry-recognised SAP certifications, ranging from Associate to Professional levels, and proudly display digital badges on their professional profiles, significantly enhancing their employability in a fiercely competitive job market.
SAP’s multifaceted education programmes are not merely about skill-building; they are strategic investments in the future. By cultivating robust digital talent pipelines, these initiatives are directly supporting national transformation agendas across the Middle East, fostering inclusive, innovation-driven economies that are ready to meet the challenges and seize the opportunities of the digital age.
