Coinciding with the Global AI Summit in Riyadh, Pearson signs Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to bolster AI education and digital skills in Saudi Arabia.
Key takeaways:
- Pearson signs MoU with Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA).
- The partnership brings certifications, assessments, testing centres, and vocational qualifications, with a focus on AI and digital technologies.
- The initiative contributes to Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, helping to prepare the Kingdom’s workforce for a tech-driven future.
The MoU Pearson recently signed with the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) aims to prepare Saudi Arabia’s workforce for a tech-driven future by developing and delivering professional qualifications in AI and digital technologies.
The partnership will bring:
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Professional digital certifications and assessments
People across the Kingdom will have access to globally-recognised digital professional certificates, enhancing their skills and increasing their employability in a rapidly evolving tech industry. These will include licence-to-practice test and endpoint assessments in key occupations. -
Comprehensive assessments
We will deliver comprehensive assessments designed to accurately measure proficiency in AI and digital technology skills. This will give employers invaluable insights into candidates’ capabilities, helping them make informed hiring decisions. It will also be useful information for educational institutions and policymakers to guide skills development and career planning. -
Testing centres
SDAIA and Pearson will establish testing centres for professional certificates. The centres will ensure fair and comprehensive testing against a global assessment standard, guaranteeing the credibility and value of the certifications. -
Vocational qualifications
We will develop vocational qualifications and assessments, to include full study programmes, short courses, and micro-credentials that will prepare the nation for success in a labour market in need of digital, AI, and data-related skills. -
Enriching SDAIA Academy
The partnership will enrich the SDAIA’s catalogue of offerings to include digital credentialling and skills tracking.
The MoU is signed on behalf of SDAIA by Dr Ahmed bin Awad Al-Ghamdi, General Supervisor of the Capacity Building Sector, and on behalf of Pearson by John Rogers, VP Strategic Accounts.
Investing in the future
This important initiative will contribute to Saudi Arabia’s ambitious Vision 2030 by helping to transform AI education, nurturing its digital capabilities and ensuring its global competitiveness for a tech-focused future. It will be pivotal in shaping a skilled workforce ready to lead the Kingdom into a new era of innovation.