OQ Digital Hub to train national talents in cybersecurity and SAP systems

Muscat: OQ, the global integrated energy group, launched the OQ Digital Hub under the auspices of Dr Rahma bint Ibrahim Al Mahrouqi, the Minister of Higher Education, Research and Innovation.

Established in partnership with various leading international and local companies in the information technology sector, OQ Digital Hub aims to harness collective efforts to develop national workforce skills through structured and high-level training programmes offered by global tech companies. These meticulously structured programmes will provide globally recognised certification, enhancing the professional qualifications of participants. Furthermore, the involvement of these companies in the hub will contribute by adding value to the agreements signed with the OQ group and its companies.

The Hub will welcome its first cohort of trainees, composed of OQ employees, in September with the initiative set to be evaluated after one year. This initiative is part of OQ’s ongoing strategy to enhance human resources development in Oman, aligning with the Oman Vision 2040 goals to leverage digital resources that keep up with global tech developments and contribute to the nation’s development goals. By focusing on several pillars of digital transformation, OQ develops digital solutions through partnerships with global companies, accelerates digital transformation, fosters SMEs, and trains entrepreneurs to hone their IT skills.

The Hub targets young talents, preparing them for the job market, enhancing diversity and inclusion in the digital sector, creating opportunities for disabled individuals, and promoting digital innovation through encouraging entrepreneurship and supporting the establishment and adoption of digital solutions. It also aims to provide assurances by addressing the social and ethical impacts of digital transformation, contributing to Oman’s economic growth and diversification, and enhancing its competitiveness and resilience in the digital age.

In the presence of  Dr Ali bin Amer Al Shidhani, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology for Communications and Information Technology, and Dirk Lölke, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to the Sultanate of Oman, OQ signed 14 memoranda of cooperation with international companies to enhance the Hub by providing training programs. Representing OQ, Maryam bint Ahmed Al Shaibani, Vice President for Integrated Digital Solutions, signed the agreements.

Key signatories from the partner companies included Ali Al Lawati, Country Leader of Cisco in Oman and Yemen; Hilal Al Habsi, Executive Director at Global Computer Services; Joseph Alencherry, Senior Vice President and Global Head of Energy at Infosys; Ihab Foudeh, General Manager for the Middle East, Saif Al Hosn, Country General Manager, Oman & Bahrain, and Imran Al Akhzami, Sr. Enterprise Commercial Lead from Microsoft; Sergio Maccotta, Senior Vice President, and Husam Al Lawati, Strategic Account Manager at SAP; Brendan Hoft, CEO and Managing Partner of ESPER; Suresh Kumar, Country Manager and Sadagopan Rajagopalan, Managing Director of Krish IT; Abdul Hakim bin Amer Al Musalhi, Mohammed Ahmed Al Lamki, and Maher Zein representing Cyberforce; Omar Al Sharif and Nayaz Mohamed representing PwC; Osamah Hussameddin, Senior Account and Manager and Karim Rizkallah, Regional Vice President – Solution Consulting at OpenText; Ada Perniceni, Managing Director and Resources Industry Lead for the Middle East, Amro Bibi, Resources Industry Director for Kuwait & Oman, and Mohamed Kamoun, Managing Director of Data & AI at Accenture; Derek Haozhichen, Regional Manager at Huawei along with Yassin Elamin and Penny, Lihaopeng; Karam Abuzeid, Enterprise Sales Manager, Shadi Al Sham, and Sadiq Al Lawati for Google Cloud.