42 Abu Dhabi has entered into a Strategic Collaboration Agreement with the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) to empower young Emirati coders by providing them with practical experience in energy industry applications. This initiative aligns with the UAE’s National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence 2031, aiming to equip local talent with essential coding skills for the future.

The agreement focuses on developing coding programs tailored to the needs of the energy sector. It includes various initiatives such as industry-themed programming competitions, seminars, mentorship programs, and large-scale hackathons that tackle real-world challenges. These activities are designed to enhance students’ coding and artificial intelligence skills, preparing them for careers in a rapidly evolving industry.

Dr. Ahmed Al Shoaibi, Acting CEO of 42 Abu Dhabi, emphasized that this partnership emphasizes their commitment to connecting students with industry leaders. He stated that the collaboration aims to support the UAE’s digital transformation by nurturing a new generation of coders and innovators. The partnership is expected to provide students with significant exposure to industry requirements, thereby aligning educational outcomes with market needs.

ADNOC will also contribute to the students’ educational experience by offering mentorship, industry-specific seminars, workshops, and panel discussions. Yaser Saeed Almazrouei, ADNOC Executive Director of People, Commercial & Corporate Support, expressed that the partnership aims to equip the next generation of Emirati coders with the skills necessary to enhance the UAE’s knowledge-based economy and solidify its status as a global innovation hub.

This collaboration is part of a broader UAE initiative to establish a leading center for artificial intelligence and technological innovation by fostering a skilled workforce tailored to industry demands. 42 Abu Dhabi, which opened in 2020 as an initiative of the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK), aims to prepare local talent for key economic sectors through its unique peer-to-peer, gamified learning approach.