en.Wedoany.com Reported - Etihad Salam Telecom Company (Salam) has inaugurated its second Research and Technology Innovation Center at the Women's Technical College in Al-Ahsa. The opening ceremony was co-chaired by Dr. Adel bin Hamad Al-Zunaidi, Deputy Director of Training at the Technical and Vocational Training Corporation, and Engineer Ahmed Al-Ankari, CEO of Salam.
This center represents a strategic expansion of Salam's partnership with the Technical and Vocational Training Corporation (TVTC), building on a model already validated at the Digital Women's Technical College in Riyadh. The center aims to foster a culture of innovation, support practical education aligned with labor market demands, and empower trainees to develop real-world projects, cultivating a new generation of national talent capable of leading Saudi Arabia's digital transformation and innovation journey.
Ahmed Al-Ankari, CEO of Salam, stated that investing in national talent is an investment in the Kingdom's future. Salam is committed to building a comprehensive innovation ecosystem, strengthening collaboration between government entities and educational institutions, and empowering Saudi youth to transform ideas into solutions that help build a more competitive and sustainable digital economy, in line with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030. Al-Ahsa was chosen as the expansion site due to the presence of the Women's Technical College, aligning with Salam's commitment to empowering Saudi women in the technology and digital fields. The region also 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 notable success. Operating through three departments—Training Workshops, Manufacturing Labs, and the Research and Learning Department—it has served approximately 1,300 trainees and trainers, extending its reach to external beneficiaries through workshops and events. Trainees from the Riyadh center have gained international recognition, winning awards at several international exhibitions and achieving numerous accomplishments in local technological innovation and invention. Several trainee-led innovations have entered the incubation phase, with projects focused on developing practical solutions for real-world challenges in healthcare, environmental monitoring, and improving the quality of life for people with disabilities.
The Al-Ahsa center's model aims to bridge the gap between academia and industry by providing exposure to practical applications, supporting skills development aligned with market needs, and enhancing employability through hands-on learning and collaboration. This reflects Salam's commitment to supporting the national innovation ecosystem and empowering young talent, while cultivating a generation of distinguished innovators who develop innovative solutions to 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 Research 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.
