Keywords: SAP, Dubai, Dubai Silicon Oasis, DSO, training and development, SAP University Alliances, MENA

SAP to open training and development institute in Dubai

Anna Bowsher | News | 3 August 2012

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SAP has announced that it will develop a new training and development institute at Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO). As part of the company's strategic investment plan for the Middle East and North Africa, SAP will open the institute to train local talent and drive sustainable innovation and growth in the region.

The institute aims to certify 2,000 new consultants in the market within the next four years, tripling SAP's existing consulting capabilities in the region and improving Arabisation and localisation of SAP solutions.

SAP expects the institute to provide talent that will help the company meet fast-growing regional needs. There will also be strong links with the SAP University Alliances program, which currently provides hands-on experience with key SAP technologies at 27 institutions across MENA. The SAP University Alliances program also allows students to collaborate throughout a network of global universities and research communities.

The plans for the new facility were announced by Dr. Mohammed Al Zarooni, DSOA vice chairman and chief executive officer, Dr. Werner Brandt, SAP chief financial officer and executive board member, and Sam Alkharrat, SAP MENA managing director.

Alkharrat said, "This is a landmark day for SAP and further proof that we are dedicated to developing our business in the MENA region. By moving forward with a project of this magnitude, we are laying down a highly effective infrastructure that will not only benefit us as a company, but also our customers and the regional economy. We will co-create and co-innovate with customers and partners, and the ripple effect will be felt well beyond the boundaries of the DSO campus."

SAP chose the DSO location for its combination of technological resources, geographic convenience and educationally conducive environment. The institute is also explicitly structured to support countries across the MENA region, with the potential to establish dedicated satellite operations in key SAP markets such as Saudi Arabia.