Ministry of Higher Education and SAP Equip Academics with Artificial Intelligence Expertise
Fourteen faculty members from six universities complete intensive training programme designed to embed cutting-edge AI applications into academic curricula across the Emirates
The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research has successfully concluded a comprehensive training initiative in collaboration with global technology enterprise SAP, bringing together fourteen esteemed academic faculty members from six distinguished higher education institutions throughout the United Arab Emirates.
The two-day programme, delivered as part of the “Integrating with the Economic Sector to Create Impact and Lead Change in Future Skills” initiative, represented a significant step towards fortifying the nation’s academic landscape with advanced artificial intelligence capabilities. Participants explored the transformative potential of the Autonomous Enterprise framework and Agentic AI applications within contemporary business environments, whilst contemplating the evolving skill sets that graduates will require to flourish in an increasingly technology-driven economy.
Academic representatives from Zayed University, the Higher Colleges of Technology, Abu Dhabi University, Al Ain University, Umm Al Quwain University and Kalba University engaged in practical, hands-on learning experiences. The programme afforded participants the opportunity to design and develop an artificial intelligence agent utilising SAP’s sophisticated AI tools, thereby translating theoretical knowledge into tangible, implementable expertise.
Ibrahim Ahmed Fikri, Assistant Undersecretary for the Higher Education and Scientific Research Regulation and Governance Sector at the Ministry, articulated the strategic significance of this collaboration. He emphasised that the initiative embodies the Ministry’s commitment to fostering a sustainable framework for continuous professional development amongst academic faculty, grounded in practical application and meaningful engagement with real-world operational environments. Looking forward, the Ministry intends to facilitate comparable programmes across diverse economic sectors, cultivating robust alignment between higher education provision and contemporary labour market requirements.
Marwan Zain El Din, Managing Director of SAP UAE, underscored the profound importance of this partnership in cultivating talent equipped to navigate and excel within an artificial intelligence-driven economy. He highlighted SAP’s dedication to providing comprehensive resources and sophisticated tools specifically designed for universities and academic institutions, enabling the seamless transference of practical knowledge, applications and research methodologies into classroom settings and specialised laboratory environments.
This programme represents a notable outcome of the Economic Sector and Higher Education Institutions Partnership Working Group, which operates beneath the auspices of the Higher Education and Future Skills Advisory Committee. This prestigious committee comprises ten specialised working groups, convening more than one hundred and twenty distinguished experts and representatives from academic institutions, governmental entities and the private sector, collectively advancing the nation’s educational and economic aspirations.
Source: WAM