Page 43 - SAMENA Trends - February 2020

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Facebook Calls-Off F8 Developer Conference

Facebook cancelled its annual F8 Developer platform partnerships, said in a blog the live streamed content”. Additional details
Conference due to fears about the Covid-19 decision to ditch the event was a “tough about these will be released in the coming
(coronavirus) outbreak, outlining plans to call,” but insisted “we need to prioritize the weeks. The move follows the cancellation
hold a series of smaller local and online health and safety of our developer partners, of MWC Barcelona 2020 earlier this month,
events instead. The conference, a key part employees and everyone who helps put F8 and comes as companies across the globe
of Facebook’s calendar where it typically on”. “We explored other ways to keep the brace for expected headwinds caused by
unveils new features for its suite of apps in-person part of F8, but it’s important to us the virus. Covid-19 was already tipped to
and services and sets course for the year to host an inclusive event and it didn’t feel slow 5G deployments in China, and both
ahead, was set to be held on 5 and 6 May right to have F8 without our international Apple and Microsoft warned they expect
in San Jose, California. The company told developers in attendance.” Papamiltiadis to miss revenue targets for the current
Mobile World Live the 2019 event drew said the main gathering will be replaced quarter due to related supply chain issues.
a crowd of around 5,000. Konstantinos by a combination of smaller, locally-
Papamiltiadis, Facebook’s director of hosted events along with “videos and

Huawei Commits to Empower 10,000 Saudi ICT

Talents by 2023

Huawei has reiterated its commitment to Huawei ICT Job Fair — the second edition playing an instrumental role in moving
developing talent within the Kingdom’s of which will be held shortly in Riyadh. the Kingdom towards its ambitious goals
Information and communications Speaking on Huawei’s commitment, of increased global competitiveness and
technology sector in line with the goals of Dennis Zhang, CEO of Huawei KSA, said: sustainability. The people of Saudi Arabia
Vision 2030. Having recently celebrated “There is a global shortage of ICT talent. want to be equipped with the knowledge
the first anniversary of launching its Huawei is committed to addressing this and skills to not only navigate the future
Saudi Talent Enabling Program (STEP), around the world, and in Saudi Arabia in digital economy, but to become its pioneers
Huawei has reconfirmed the program’s particular. Developing and empowering ICT and leaders.” Based on its comprehensive
aim to benefit 10,000 local talents by 2023. talent will contribute significantly towards talent development strategy, Huawei
The STEP program focuses on training, the realization of Vision 2030 which places hopes to continue working with entities
enabling, and promoting ICT talent within a strong emphasis on the economic from the public and private sectors to
the Kingdom through three pillars: building potential of the ICT sector. New talent is build a positive, open, and cooperative
a talent alliance, setting talent standards, required to drive digital transformation on ICT talent ecosystem. The ICT sector is
and communicating talent value. There are a national and industry-wide scale, which part of the foundation of national digital
a further nine initiatives within the STEP will contribute towards stable, continuous transformation under Vision 2030, making
program pillars, several of which Huawei development for the Kingdom.” Faisal Al it more important than ever for concerted
has already unveiled during recent years. Otaibi, HR Director at Huawei KSA, added: efforts towards developing talent that will
These include Huawei’s long-running “Advanced technologies are already power the industry.
Seeds for the Future initiative which has
hosted more than 81 local students,
and the Huawei ICT Skills Competition
which has captured the interest of over
7,000 participants in Saudi Arabia.
Huawei’s Future Leaders Initiative has
also upskilled over 250 local engineers,
while the company’s Huawei ICT Academy
has established alliances with more than
10 institutions in the Kingdom. Moving
forward, the company has also committed
to promoting ICT talent insight, an emerging
tech on-board training, a Huawei Partners
and Customers Training Program, a HCIE
Certification Salon, and continuing its

43 FEBRUARY 2020