en.Wedoany.com Reported - Saudi telecom service provider Salam has opened its second Research, Development, and Technology Innovation Center at the Al-Ahsa Women's Technical College. The inauguration ceremony was co-hosted by Dr. Adel bin Hamad Al-Zunaidi, Vice President of Training Affairs at the Technical and Vocational Training Corporation (TVTC), and Engineer Ahmed Al-Anqari, CEO of Salam, aiming to empower Saudi youth and promote technical education and innovation nationwide.
The new center is an extension of the strategic partnership between Salam and TVTC, building on the existing model at the Riyadh Digital Women's Technical College. The center aims to foster a culture of innovation, support practical education aligned with labor market needs, and empower trainees to develop real-world, implementable projects, contributing to the cultivation of national talent required for Saudi Arabia's digital transformation and innovation.
Salam CEO Ahmed Al-Anqari stated that investing in national talent is an investment in the Kingdom's future. The company is committed to building an integrated innovation ecosystem, strengthening cooperation with government and educational institutions, and empowering youth to transform ideas into solutions, contributing to a more competitive and sustainable digital economy in line with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.
Al-Ahsa was selected as the expansion location due to its Women's Technical College, aligning with Salam's commitment to empowering Saudi women in the technology and digital fields. The region boasts promising national talent, and its strategic location makes this center the first of its kind in the area.
The Riyadh center, established in 2023, has achieved significant results. Operating through three specialized departments—training workshops, a fabrication laboratory, and a research and development lab—it has served approximately 1,300 trainees and trainers, extending its impact to external beneficiaries through seminars and events. Trainees from the Riyadh center have won awards at several international exhibitions and achieved numerous accomplishments in local technological innovation and invention. Several trainee-led innovations have entered the incubation phase, with projects focusing on practical solutions for real-world challenges such as healthcare, environmental monitoring, and improving the lives of people with disabilities.
The Al-Ahsa center model aims to bridge the gap between academia and industry by providing exposure to real-world applications, supporting the development of market-demanded skills, and enhancing employability through practical learning and collaboration. This reflects Salam's support for the national innovation ecosystem and youth empowerment, while cultivating a new generation of innovators to develop solutions that serve society and the national economy.
The expansion of these centers contributes to achieving the goals of Saudi Vision 2030. This scalable model also supports Salam's future plans to establish five R&D and technology innovation centers across different regions of the Kingdom, solidifying the foundations of the national digital economy and supporting a more sustainable and innovative future.
