du, from Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company (EITC), has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the INSEAD National Alumni Association in the UAE (NAA UAE) to foster collaborations with the alumni network on thought leadership, academia, and disruptive innovations that drive technology advancements in the UAE.
The signing ceremony came after an event that brought together professionals in technology and academics to spark debates about 5G, AI, design thinking, and the future of digitalization in the workplace.
The collaboration intends to boost the UAE’s status as an innovation hub and recruit start-ups from the worldwide INSEAD alumni network in order to further drive knowledge transfers and expedite the country’s deployment of 5G, IoT, and AI.
Saleem AlBlooshi, Chief Technology Officer, du, said: “du is a futuristic innovative telecom pushing 5G and IoT advanced in UAE to a new heights. As an active innovation leader in the country and wider region, du is committed to support the local community to push technology excellence and innovation to new heights by partnering with world-class academic academia, as the latter shows key potential for effective acceleration.”
du and INSEAD NAA’s newly formed Technology, Media & Telco (TMT) Alumni Club will create an ecosystem of relationships and specialists across a shared platform for ICT innovation in the UAE, while also improving collaboration opportunities for INSEAD alumni members and du. In this role, du and INSEAD NAA UAE will conduct expert events to share knowledge and expertise in the domains of technology, media, and telecommunications.
Natalie Sleiman, INSEAD alumna from the 2014 Global Executive MBA programme, President of the INSEAD Alumni Association in the UAE, said: “As the global business landscape moves towards a digital age, major paradigm shifts are expected in the fields of technology with a growing need for candidates who understand this shift and possess the ability to maneuver through these situations. As an association, we are committed to building global and local professional networking opportunities with our partners as well as a sharing platform that enables our members to stay on top of cutting-edge theories and practices, communicate effectively with each other and explore industry-specific issues.”
Onur Kirazci, the Ambassador for the Association’s Technology, Media and Telecoms (TMT) Club added, “Our ambition is to foster an environment that helps creating value to our partners and the community at large. We look forward to working with du to expand the tech-enabled innovation eco-system in the UAE while accelerating learning and professional development for our members”.
The event, titled ‘Leading Innovation and Technology Frontiers,’ ran a variety of discussion opportunities, including two masterclasses, panel discussions, and a fireside chat with Saleem AlBlooshi, who shared his thoughts on the role of technology, its challenges and opportunities, and how to foster readiness in the industry.
