Higher Colleges Of Technology And Saal.ai Collaborate To Cultivate UAE's Next Generation Of AI Talent

The Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) in the United Arab Emirates, recognised as the nation's largest higher education institution, has recently embarked on a significant collaboration with Saal.ai, a cognitive technology firm part of the Abu Dhabi Capital Group (ADCG).

This strategic alliance is set to revolutionise the UAE's higher education system and innovation framework by providing Emirati students with essential skills in artificial intelligence (AI) and big data.

During a ceremony at the HCT campus, both entities solidified their partnership, demonstrating a shared commitment to foster local talent and propel the UAE towards becoming a knowledge-driven economy.

This initiative is a direct response to the UAE's Year of Community initiative and fits within the broader national strategy to boost innovation, empower the youth, and establish meaningful partnerships between the academic world and technological pioneers.

Central to this partnership is the integration of DigiXT, an enterprise-grade AI and big data platform developed in the UAE by Saal.ai, into HCT's academic offerings.

This integration will provide students with valuable hands-on experience in applying AI and data analytics in real-world scenarios.

The goal is to enhance student employability by equipping them with practical skills in emerging technologies, thereby benefiting industry partners with a pipeline of highly skilled graduates.

His Excellency Dr. Faisal Alayyan, President and CEO of HCT, remarked, "This initiative marks a transformative milestone in our educational journey. By embedding AI into our curricula, we are equipping Emirati youth with the future-focused skills needed to lead in a digital economy. Our partnership with Saal.ai ensures students gain both technical competencies and the innovative mindset to become agile problem-solvers and drivers of national progress."

Echoing the sentiment, Vikraman Poduval, CEO of Saal.ai, stated, "At Saal.ai, we believe in the transformative power of technology to drive societal progress. By equipping Emirati students with practical AI skills and collaborating with public sector entities, we are fostering innovation as well as contributing to the UAE's vision of a sustainable and knowledge-based economy."

This collaboration is in line with HCT's strategic vision for 2023–2028, which focuses on applied learning, industry collaboration, and preparing students for future challenges.

Additionally, this partnership supports the UAE's national educational objectives and the UAE National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence 2031, aiming to make the country a world leader in AI.

This strategy seeks to integrate AI across various sectors, such as education, space, and transportation.

In a move that further demonstrates the UAE's commitment to embracing AI, the government plans to introduce AI education across all school levels, from kindergarten to Grade 12, starting from the next academic year.

This is part of a long-term vision to equip future generations with the necessary skills for the digital age. With the global AI market expected to reach $15.7 trillion by 2030, the UAE's adoption of AI could increase its GDP by 35 percent ($96 billion) and save nearly $3 billion in government spending through enhanced efficiency.

This partnership between HCT and Saal.ai is a crucial step towards aligning the UAE's educational system with its national priorities, ensuring that the next generation of Emirati leaders and innovators are well-prepared to navigate and contribute to the digital future.