Misk City, stc host ‘Metathon’ to nurture Saudi tech talent

The Metathon competition, which recently concluded, elicited participation from more than 10,000 Saudi talents, who showcased built immersive use cases and virtual experiences in retail.
Short Url
Updated 20 December 2023
Follow

Misk City, stc host ‘Metathon’ to nurture Saudi tech talent

stc group, an engine of digital transformation, and Mohammed Bin Salman Nonprofit City, better known as Misk City, the world’s first nonprofit city, have announced the conclusion of the “Metathon” competition. The competition aimed to discover and nurture promising Saudi talents in the field of technology and to explore innovative horizons in emerging technologies. Metathon was conducted in partnership with iot squared — a joint venture between stc and the Public Investment Fund, the Saudi Cloud Computing Company and community partner Saudi Data Community, a leading enabler and facilitator of data communities in the region.

The competition elicited participation from more than 10,000 Saudi talents, with 70 shortlisted participants across 14 teams, showcasing built immersive use cases and virtual experiences in education, retail, tourism and virtual events/concerts. These immersive virtual experiences were created on the Kingdom’s first national metaverse platform hosted on SCCC. The competition concluded with a Demo Day at The City Hub, a physical co-working space for Misk Foundation beneficiaries to convene in person, collaborate and learn together. A judging committee comprising metaverse experts evaluated the metaverse experiences developed by the participating teams over the past three months.

The Metathon competition reinforced Misk City’s central role as a thriving destination that supports innovation and entrepreneurship, and nurtures future leaders.

stc Group is spearheading the development of a cohesive technology ecosystem and is committed to the continuous growth of the digital and communications sectors. The group supported this competition by empowering teams in multiple ways, from leveraging its digital library to providing access to valuable learning resources, consultations and guidance from emerging technology experts. The group’s subsidiaries, represented by iot squared and SCCC, provided a supportive and inclusive environment to hone the skills and unleash the innovative potential of the participating Saudi talents.

stc and Misk City share a vision to create an enabling environment for innovation and excellence through the Metathon challenge. The event allowed participants to discover the best metaverse experiences through valuable expertise and insights that will contribute to the development of the future of Misk City. The challenge also contributed to discovering a pool of promising talents in emerging technologies, empowering them to play a pivotal role in fostering sustainable growth in the digital field.


Design Your Future announces Advisory Committee for 2nd edition

Updated 18 March 2025
Follow

Design Your Future announces Advisory Committee for 2nd edition

Design Your Future had announced the formation of its Advisory Committee for the second edition. Comprising professionals from diverse industries and students from different universities. The committee will provide strategic directions to help DYF continue its mission of guiding young individuals toward clarity in their career paths and decision-making.

Building on the success of the first edition, DYF remains committed to bridging the gap between education and the professional world. DYF serves as a guide—offering insights, industry exposure, and mentorship that enable students, young professionals, and parents to make informed choices about their futures.

The Advisory Committee for the second edition includes Zahraa Taher as chairperson, alongside respected industry leaders Dr. Zainab Al-Tooq from the Higher Education Council, Shaikha Buallay from INJAZ Bahrain, Maryam Rahimi from Tamkeen, Kalyan Subramanian from KPMG, Nabeela Al Qaseer, a life coach, and Zainab Assiri, a training consultant. Representing the voice of students, the committee also welcomes Fatima Hussain from the University of Bahrain, Mariam Almardini from King’s College London, Ali Aryan from Bahrain Bayan School, and Ahmed Almerbati from the British University of Bahrain.

Aligned with Bahrain’s Vision 2030, the Advisory Committee will play a key role in ensuring DYF continues to foster connections between education and industry, enabling young individuals to gain exposure to professional environments, understand market needs, and develop the right perspectives to navigate their career paths.

The second edition of DYF will continue to expand its initiativesto provide participants with practical exposure and real-world guidance. The DYF Business Show will integrate students into corporate teams, offering firsthand experience and industry insights. The DYF Podcast will feature discussions on career pathways, industry trends, and the evolving job market, providing young individuals with valuable perspectives. The Skills Hunt initiative will encourage participants to sharpen their decision-making, adaptability, and technical skills in a competitive and engaging environment. The MC’s Competition will identify and support students with strong public speaking potential, while interactive workshops will expose participants to leadership, communication, financial literacy, and entrepreneurship. 

The DYF Education & Future Design Forum will bring together educators, professionals, and students to explore the evolving role of education in shaping career development.

Taher said: “With the second edition of DYF, we are excited to work with a team of advisers whose expertise will help shape this initiative. DYF is about clarity—ensuring that students and young professionals have access to the right perspectives, networks, and insights to make informed career decisions.”


Olayan Financing Company and IBM Consulting to implement next-generation SAP solutions

Updated 18 March 2025
Follow

Olayan Financing Company and IBM Consulting to implement next-generation SAP solutions

Olayan Financing Company has partnered with IBM Consulting to execute a groundbreaking SAP digital transformation program, setting a new benchmark for innovation and operational excellence in the region. This ambitious initiative lays a solid foundation for Olayan Financing Company’s future growth, enabling streamlined management of its assets, diversified business lines, and expansive real estate portfolio.

The transformation program, which encompasses 41 legal entities, involved Olayan Financing Company’s migration from SAP ECC to SAP S/4HANA and the integration of SAP Ariba along with other advanced SAP solutions. IBM Consulting deployed its IMPACT accelerator and industry-leading SAP transformation methodologies, adhering to clean core principles to minimize customizations. This approach ensured that the tailored solution met both the strategic aspirations and operational requirements of Olayan Financing Company.

Highlighting the success of the partnership, Dr. Nabeel M. Al Amudi, CEO of Olayan Financing Company, remarked, “At Olayan Financing Company, we continuously strive to set new standards in operational efficiency and digital innovation. This partnership with IBM Consulting has enabled us to implement transformative technology that supports our strategic growth objectives, enhances our operational resilience, and aligns with our vision for sustainable and scalable success. We take pride in leading by example in adopting advanced technologies that redefine industry benchmarks in the region.”

Khaled Al Ofaysan, country head and managing partner for IBM Consulting in Saudi Arabia, stated: “We are delighted to have successfully partnered with Olayan Financing Company to realize their complex SAP transformation program in less than 12 months. This project highlights our proven expertise in delivering sophisticated SAP solutions with precision and efficiency, leveraging the latest SAP technology and a deep understanding of our client’s needs and strategic objectives.”

“Olayan Financing Company’s forward-thinking approach to modernizing its core technology infrastructure underscores its leadership among financing conglomerates. By investing in robust, scalable solutions and working with global consulting firms like IBM Consulting, OFC demonstrates a commitment to staying ahead of market changes and leveraging innovation for strategic growth. We at SAP are proud to support organizations like Olayan Financing Company as they set new standards for digital transformation in the Kingdom,” said Dr. Fahd Nawwab, vice president, SAP Saudi Arabia.


Cisco redefines data center architecture with new Smart Switches

Updated 18 March 2025
Follow

Cisco redefines data center architecture with new Smart Switches

Cisco announced a family of data center Smart Switches, disrupting traditional data center network design by enabling networking and security services in a compact all-in-one solution. Utilizing programmable AMD Pensando data processing units, the switch functions as a high-capacity, multifunctional service-hosting device, architecturally transforming data centers to simplify their design and make them more efficient. 

Cisco’s first integrated offering, the Smart Switch with Cisco Hypershield, introduces a new approach to securing AI data centers by fusing security directly into the network fabric.

As AI workloads multiply, building and managing data centers has become much more complex. Data center operators require a simpler way to design, build, and deploy infrastructure to fully benefit from AI. AI applications must sit where they are needed, whether a massive large language model sitting in centralized hyperscale facilities or a network drone monitoring crop irrigation at the very edge of
the network. 

This shift in where data is created, accessed, and stored requires a new type of simplified data center infrastructure–one that integrates compute, storage, networking, and security in new ways, and allows for automated and predictive operations via simplified management platforms.

“Data center infrastructure needs be reimagined for both AI training and inferencing workloads that dwarf even the largest enterprise jobs of the past,” said Jeetu Patel, EVP and chief product officer, Cisco. “Simply upgrading data center infrastructure with higher ‘speeds and feeds’ switches does not address the requirements of modern data centers, which require acceleration of security and network services natively within the data center fabric.”

“Cisco’s innovative approach to data center design, leveraging leadership AMD Pensando DPUs, marks a significant milestone in transforming enterprise infrastructure to address the evolving security demands of data center networks while dealing with the fast paced AI deployments,” said Soni Jiandani, senior vice president and general manager, Networking Technology and Solutions Group, AMD. 

“Our collaboration with Cisco enables enterprises to achieve high-capacity throughput and impressive network security without compromising on workload performance on Cisco UCS servers or Hypershield enabled platforms. Together, we are paving the way for a new era of intelligent, adaptive, and secure data centers.”


LuLu returns with its ‘LuLu on Sale’ campaign

Updated 17 March 2025
Follow

LuLu returns with its ‘LuLu on Sale’ campaign

This four-day shopping festival, running from March 19-22, promises an unmatched shopping experience across all LuLu stores in Saudi Arabia. With massive discounts on a wide selection of products, it’s the perfect time to stock up, refresh your home, and complete your Eid shopping—all at amazing prices!

LuLu Hypermarkets is set to launch its highly anticipated LuLu on Sale campaign in Saudi Arabia. For the second time, LuLu customers in the Kingdom will experience this iconic sale, featuring an impressive 50 percent discount on a broad range of merchandise, including everything you need for your Eid celebrations, daily essentials, electronics, fashion, home decor, and more.

LuLu On Sale is renowned as one of the most significant shopping festivals in the retail sector, garnering widespread participation and enthusiasm across various regions. Following a hugely successful first edition, this much-anticipated sale returns with even bigger savings and better deals, ensuring that every shopper finds exactly what they’re looking for.

As part of the campaign, LuLu ensures exceptional discounts on a wide array of products. Shoppers can expect substantial savings on grocery items, fresh produce, bakery, and other food essentials, perfect for Eid gatherings. The sale also extends to electronics, offering remarkable discounts on gadgets, televisions, and household items.

Fashion enthusiasts can look forward to great deals on branded apparel, fashion accessories, footwear, sportswear, and bags. Those preparing for Eid will find fantastic offers on home decor, jewelry, gifting options, and festive essentials — making this the ideal time to shop for all your Eid shopping needs.

To make shopping even more convenient, customers can take advantage of flexible payment solutions. They can pay in installments with Tabby and Tamara or extend their payments for up to 36 months with Quara—ensuring an effortless and budget-friendly shopping experience.

With incredible deals across all products, LuLu on Sale is your go-to destination for savings on everything you need for Eid and beyond!


Checkout.com, Tabby partner to expand BNPL solutions for retailers

Updated 17 March 2025
Follow

Checkout.com, Tabby partner to expand BNPL solutions for retailers

Checkout.com, a leading global digital payments solutions provider, has partnered with Tabby, the financial services and shopping app, to offer flexible and high-performing payment solutions to merchants in the UAE and Saudi Arabia. This partnership integrates Tabby’s popular buy now, pay later solutions directly into Checkout.com’s platform, allowing merchants to offer consumers seamless, flexible payment methods at checkout.

As part of the agreement, Checkout.com has already integrated Tabby’s innovative BNPL solutions into its platform, offering merchants flexible, consumer-friendly payment options. This integration allows Checkout.com’s merchants to capitalize on the growing demand for alternative payment methods, boosting sales, conversion rates, and average order values. By offering greater flexibility at the point of purchase, the collaboration aims to enhance the shopping experience, foster consumer loyalty, and drive business growth.

The partnership comes as the BNPL market in the Middle East continues to experience rapid growth, with adoption rates reaching up to 62 percent over the past 12 months, according to Checkout.com’s latest Digital Commerce Report. This surge is driven by increasing consumer demand for flexible payment and credit solutions.

By combining Checkout.com’s cutting-edge payment technology with Tabby’s flexible financing solutions, this partnership creates a powerful ecosystem that enhances payment performance and enables merchants to grow their businesses by offering consumers their preferred payment methods. Together, Checkout.com and Tabby are dedicated to empowering consumers with greater choice, convenience, and flexibility, driving business growth and improving the overall shopping experience.

Abdulaziz Saja, KSA general manager, Tabby, said: “By partnering with Checkout.com, we’re bringing Tabby’s flexible payments to even more merchants. This gives Checkout.com’s businesses access to Tabby’s +15 million high-intent shoppers while offering their customers greater flexibility at checkout.”

“We are excited to partner with Tabby to empower merchants in the UAE and Saudi Arabia with more payment options for their customers,” said Remo Giovanni Abbondandolo, general manager MENA, Checkout.com. “At Checkout.com, we believe in the strategic value of payments in increasing revenue for our merchants through high performance payments, and this partnership reinforces our commitment to delivering solutions that drive business growth and enhance customer experiences.”

“In the past 12 months, popularity of BNPL remained a preferred payment method for online shoppers in the UAE and KSA with adoption rates reaching 39 percent and 42 percent respectively.”

This highlights the region’s growing demand for flexible payment options. Moreover, with an 80 percent increase in daily online shopping since 2020, consumers are eager to adopt new payment solutions,” he added.

“By integrating Tabby’s BNPL services into a single platform, we enable merchants to seamlessly offer flexible payment options with quick and efficient integration. This not only enhances the consumer experience but also drives higher conversion rates and customer satisfaction—creating real added value for everyone involved,” he concluded.