Microsoft’s Internet Of Things Partnership Supports Jordan’s Digital Transformation Journey
Microsoft has come on board as a strategic partner to the General Network Internet of Things (GNIoT) company to help accelerate Jordan’s digital transformation through Internet of Things (IoT) technologies.
GNIoT was recently granted a class communications licence by the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Jordan. It is the first company of its kind in the country to be awarded this licence, which will enable GNIoT to provide IoT services to the public and government alike.
“Through this strategic partnership, GNIoT and Microsoft will establish IoT infrastructure to provide coverage across Jordan,” says Ali Al-Shibli Al-Atoom, Chairman for GNIoT. “This will enable government to realise its smart country ambitions, leveraging IoT tech to deepen the digital transformation of operations across all sectors, from health and agriculture to manufacturing and education.”
Aside from supporting the country’s digitalisation ambitions, the increased ubiquity of IoT tech will also bolster the economy, providing new job opportunities to the local public.
Supporting transformation at university level
“As is the case with any emerging technology, we must drive skill building to support its roll out in a meaningful way that empowers people,” says Maher Al-Khaiyat, Regional Business Group Director of Business Applications for Microsoft Middle East and Africa Multi-Country Cluster. This is the purpose behind the partnership’s agreements for IoT-services provision at two of Jordan’s universities since the licence was awarded.
GNIoT, supported by Microsoft, will install IoT networks across the campus of Princess Sumaya University for Technology in Amman, delivering access to IoT technologies, which will be taught through the university’s newly introduced specialisation course in Internet of Things Communications Engineering.
In a second agreement with Hashemite University in Zarqa, the partnership will provide practical, field, and applied training opportunities within partner institutions for the university’s Faculty of Engineering students, giving priority in employment to talented graduates from the university when partners have relevant job openings. As such, this agreement establishes Hashemite University as a scientific incubator capable of developing the skills necessary for future IoT applications in the job market.
“Agreements like these will help bridge the skills gap between what students are learning and what the labour market will need,” notes Al-Khaiyat, concluding on a note of excitement about the future of Jordan off the back of IoT tech. “Microsoft is committed to enabling digital transformation across all sectors of society in the MEA region. This partnership will take that goal to the next level, helping Jordan become one of the region’s leading IoT pioneers.”