SAS, the leader in business intelligence and analytical software and services, has announced its partnership with Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd University (PMU) to promote business & operational intelligence and analytics across the Kingdom, in a ceremony held yesterday (March 10, 2008) at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, Bahrain. The implementation of the state-of-the-art learning software is in line with the university's aims to be a major proponent of technology-driven operational intelligence and knowledge creation to equip students with the skills required in their future venture into the private and public sectors. The agreement involves the delivery of software and infrastructure, in addition to post-implementation services and knowledge transfer to ensure that the technology is fully utilised by relevant PMU stakeholders by PMU.
The agreement was inked by Bill Hoggarth, Regional CEO, SAS Africa and Middle East; Ahmed Ashadawi, President and CEO, Al-Falak Electronic Equipment and Supplies Company - SAS' local partner in KSA; and Dr. Nassar Mohammed Shaikh, Vice Rector for Academic Affairs, PMU (signed on behalf of Dr. Issa Al-Ansari, Rector, PMU), in the presence of other key partners and customers.
"The burgeoning demand for highly skilled personnel and technology-savvy professionals amidst the booming oil and gas and financial services industries in the Kingdom has made it vital for today's higher educational institutions to provide students with adequate real-world training," said Dr. Issa Al-Ansari. "Familiarity with key business requirements will ensure that Saudi Arabia will be reaping the rewards of its booming economy by building the necessary skills and empowering a new generation of Saudi nationals to take responsibility for the most important positions in the country's economic departments and private business organisations."
"Our presence in Saudi Arabia is part of our strategic plan for the Middle East, which is focused on aiding educational institutions to integrate SAS software into their curricula to enhance learning opportunities and career paths for both students and teachers," said Bill Hoggarth. "By encouraging academic administrators to utilise SAS-powered research and learning initiatives, we are taking a critical step towards the formation of valuable industry skills of students. This partnership with PMU stands as a testament to our commitment to delivering software solutions, strategic services and academic programs that are designed to spark innovation and expand educational opportunities throughout the region."
The success of the partnership will result in a better understanding of the students on analytical concepts by giving them intensive hands-on experience with the same powerful tools used in industry today. With aims of elevating its educational standards for the benefit of local students, the implementation of SAS' cutting edge technology is expected to increase the value of PMU's programs, while equipping it with the necessary tools to create new leading-edge programs and curriculum. "As business intelligence and analytics continue to move to the forefront of the global learning development, the cohesive integration of technology with academics has become the trademark of all SAS solutions for the education sector. We are proud to have played a major role in the advancement of the education industry by attending to the learning software requirements of 2,000 colleges, universities and business schools in 109 countries. Our dedication developing the potential of future leaders in the region is being fuelled by our intense commitment to cement the Middle East's leading position not only in the oil and gas industry but in the educational front as well," concluded Hoggarth.
