Etisalat Leadership Offers Insights into Future Careers for Students of AI and Engineering Ìý

Leaders from Emirates Telecommunication Group (Etisalat), and graduate recruits from the Etisalat AI Centre of Excellence shared their experience and offered insights into the role of artificial intelligence in industry with an emphasis on Etisalat’s AI strategy, and how students at Khalifa University can shape their academic journey to pursue a career in AI.

The seminar, developed jointly by Khalifa University Career Services Office, Etisalat, and the Emirates ICT Innovation Center (EBTIC), was titled ‘Embarking on a Career in AI – How Etisalat supports career ambitions of graduates’. Student participants learnt about changes at the workplace due to both the COVID-19 pandemic and the beneficial impact that artificial intelligence has already had on Etisalat’s business operations. Members from the Etisalat AI Centre of Excellence include more than 20 recently recruited Emiratis.

Dena Ali Al Mansoori, Group Chief Human Resources Officer, Etisalat, offered an insightful presentation on the future of work, the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on recruitment processes, and how AI has helped the company continue with important recruitment initiatives. Speaking on AI and learning, Joseph Hayes, Director of Learning and Development Planning, discussed the ‘Power Skills’ that companies look for in the individuals that they employ, and how Etisalat uses a new AI-powered training platform to help develop their employees. Three Etisalat AI Team representatives, Hend Al Jasmi, Haifa AlHosani and Alyazia Ahli, also shared their experiences.

Al Mansoori said: “This was a great platform for the next generation of innovators to gain insights into the future of work. We were able to deep-dive into how AI has changed the competitive landscape and customer expectations, ultimately forcing organisations to change and adapt.

“With Etisalat’s vision to ‘Drive the digital future to empower societies’, we have undertaken our own digital transformation within our services, operations and internal capabilities. At a group level, Etisalat is now focused on acquiring, as well as developing and reskilling its existing workforce to meet the evolving and ever-changing requirements of its digital and traditional domains of business.�

Dr. Ahmed Al Shoaibi, Senior Vice-President, Academic and Student Services, and Professor of Practice, Khalifa University, said: “Since Etisalat is looking into boosting its AI workforce, the seminar offered an excellent opportunity for Khalifa University students to learn how to hone their skills and forge a future career in the AI discipline. We believe the event also helped undergraduates and postgraduates gain an understanding of the promising career opportunities available with Etisalat, while hearing first-hand from the AI Team about their experience in business, the projects they have delivered, and the AI training program at Etisalat.�

Dr. Ernesto Damiani, Director, Khalifa University Center for Cyber Physical Systems (C2PS), Director, Information Security Center, Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering, who works with EBTIC, offered an overview of the current and future artificial intelligence and machine learning program offerings, including a Minor in Artificial Intelligence, at Khalifa University.

The Etisalat AI Centre of Excellence graduates go through the bespoke development pathway that Etisalat has built, in alliance with its strategic partners, EBTIC, Microsoft and Accenture. EBTIC, a research and innovation center established by Etisalat, BT, and Khalifa University, and supported by ICT Fund, has helped the AI team with developing and upskilling in AI/Machine Learning (ML). Senior EBTIC researchers and innovation specialists supervise and collaborate with the AI team, to develop and deploy projects that deliver real-world business value to Etisalat.

EBTIC, along with Dr. Damiani, have also conducted a series of tailored IEEE-certified AI/Big Data and Data Scientist courses for the AI Team throughout 2020, upskilling them in practitioner skills, helping them to become advanced data scientists.

The three Etisalat AI Team members specifically discussed Etisalat’s AI strategy and objectives. They offered valuable insights and advice, gained from their own experiences, in order to inspire like-minded individuals in the current Khalifa University student body.

Clarence Michael
English Editor Specialist
9 May 2021

The post Etisalat AI Centre of Excellence Staff Members Share Experience with Khalifa University Students appeared first on Khalifa University.

UAE’s Top-Ranked University Equips Students with Knowledge and Skills to Lead UAE’s Knowledge-Economy of the Future Ìý

Khalifa University announced that nearly 30 government institutions and private sector organizations participated in the virtual Internship Fair 2021 to attract and recruit qualified and talented students for internships. Students and organizations view internships as a major first step in the careers of young professionals, capable of contributing to the growth of the UAE’s knowledge economy.Ìý

A total of 457 students attended the virtual Internship Fair that offered more than 120 Internship opportunities in a wide range of industries such as healthcare, biotechnology, clean energy, nuclear engineering, aerospace, oil and gas, as well as other advanced technology sectors such as robotics, artificial intelligence, supply chain logistics, and infrastructure.Ìý

Some organizations that offered internships included Etisalat, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), EDGE Group, Tawazun, du, Microsoft, GE, General Motors, PwC Middle East, Total, Schlumberger, Accenture, and Emirates NBD Bank. Others included Schneider Electric, Lockheed Martin, Boston Consulting Group, Al Masaood Oil and Gas, National Petroleum Construction Company, Strata, Noor Abu Dhabi, National Marine Dredging, Det Norske Veritas (DNV) and Direct TT.

The virtual Internship Fair 2021 also included five workshops, CV clinics for 23 students, and a session on ‘Build Your Network and Advance Your Career on LinkedIn’ that received 47 participants. More than 100 students attended a session titled ‘An introduction to EDGE Group and Trends that are Shaping the Workplace’.

In keeping with the prevailing extraordinary circumstances, students and alumni were offered a virtual platform to interact with each organization, who had digital booths. Employers were able to meet students in virtual space via chat rooms, sometimes as groups as well as in one-to-one interaction, during which interviews were conducted and internship details offered. Through videos and digital brochures, companies provided virtual visitors details on relevant training programs.

Dr. Ahmed Al Shoaibi, Senior Vice-President, Academic and Student Services, and Associate Professor, Khalifa University, said: “Khalifa University’s comprehensive academic, research and outreach portfolios that are designed to equip the students with the right expertise, provide the participating corporate and government sector entities with the talent they seek for their organizations. Being part of Khalifa University provides the students with 21st century knowledge and skills to prepare them for the jobs of the future. Our students are well-rounded in personal and professional credentials. They are ambitious and bring fresh perspectives to help companies with innovative solutions and ideas. Our alumni have made significant impacts in key industry sectors such as energy, sustainability, space and healthcare among others. We are confident that this new group of student interns will build on that legacy by adding value to their host organizations.�

In order to foster relationship building with the industry and maximize contribution of students and graduates to the UAE economy and the world at large, Khalifa University’s Career and Alumni Services Office organizes a number of events such as the Annual Career Fair, Internship Fair, Employer on-Campus Day and Majors Day. The Career Services Office constantly works to build and maintain meaningful relationships with industry leaders who support Khalifa University students and graduates in their search for internships, job opportunities and other possible types of student-company engagement.

According to the Career Services office, a significant number of Khalifa University students have received employment, training or internship offers in the past during such annual events. Every year, these events provide an opportunity for students to transition into major corporate entities and government sectors as professionals. Moreover, some Khalifa University students successfully secure international internship experiences with multinational corporations and partners, contributing significantly while gaining exceptional practical experience beyond their comfort zone. Internships that are conducted abroad, whether in-person or virtually, contribute to Khalifa University’s commitment towards internationalization and preparing the students to become global citizens.

Clarence Michael
English Editor Specialist
15 April 2021

The post Nearly 30 Government and Private Sector Entities Seek Talent at Khalifa University’s Virtual Internship Fair 2021 appeared first on Khalifa University.