SABIC ‘EXCLUSIVE INNOVATION AND KNOWLEDGE PARTNER’ TO MISK GLOBAL FORUM IN SUPPORT OF YOUTH EMPOWERMENT

SABIC participated as an exclusive innovation and knowledge partner in the MiSK forum in support of youth empowerment as the event kicked off today, November 14 in Riyadh. SABIC joined global leaders, representatives from the public and private sectors, international and local media, and thousands of students from Saudi Arabia and around the world in support of redefining what young people must do to future-proof themselves with 21st century skills.

The MiSK Global Forum is an ongoing platform that brings young leaders, creators and thinkers together with established global innovators to explore experience and experiment with ways to meet the challenge of change. The theme of this year’s MiSK Global Forum was “The Skills for our Tomorrow” and focused on 5 key skills—novel thinking, social intelligence, judgment & decision-making, adaptability & resilience and initiative & self-direction.

Abdulaziz Al-Oudan, Executive Vice President, Corporate Human Resources, SABIC, participated a Future Global Skills Panel. and said “SABIC’s transformation in workforce development is advancing Vision 2030 objectives through its focus on preparing the next generations with the right skills for the future. We want to ensure that they are not only able to compete in an evolving job market, but to solidify their place as an essential part of it.” He went on to say, “SABIC is an industry leader whose success rests on the shoulders of its employees. We are dedicated to creating a positive and lasting impact around the subjects of novel thinking and adjusting to the human-machine partnership while inspiring one another to continue to develop competencies for tomorrow,” he said.

During the Forum SABIC signs MOU with the MiSK Foundation in an effort to spearhead cooperation to continue to elevate levels of education, innovation and environmental sustainability. The collaboration underscores SABIC's commitment to social responsibility for Saudi citizens in general and the youth sector in particular, driving and enabling the right mix of skills for a better tomorrow. 

SABIC Also took part in the Lab Experience portion of the forum where Saudi students showcased the prototypes they built as part of the SABIC Summer Innovation Program. In total, Saudi students created 123 innovative projects in areas ranging from mobile applications to renewable energy and smart home systems (IOT). This is one example of how SABIC is providing opportunities to stimulate constructive communication among inventors and innovators in the Kingdom and how it is preparing future scientists and business leaders to ascend the value chain.

Dr. Abdullah Al-Refaie, General manager of SABIC global technology centers and Dr. Wajeeh Osama Moughrabiah, Head of Local Workforce Development led an interactive session about the “Power of Innovation for a Better Tomorrow.” where they stated that, “Innovation has changed the global prospective, the way we are looking at things and even our day to day activities and it is paramount that this generation recognizes it as the key for many skills that can shape a better future for them.”

In addition, Saeed Qahtani, Head, L&D & Strategic Partnerships, SABIC, led a skills development program called “Making Exponential Leaders!,” along with Mark Hatch, CEO Maker Partners, Affiliations IFTF, Singularity, UC Berkeley. Mr. Qahtani shared a case study exemplifying SABIC’s commitment to facilitating an environment of ‘Makers and shared how Exponential leaders are shaping today and tomorrow’. The program is aimed at empowering future leaders to learn new skills and invigorate their mindset towards their personal & practical life, driving them to seek out and master skills that can transform themselves, their families, their communities and even the world.

Riyad Al-Faiz
Leader, Global Communications