Government - Emerging Technologies Month

Associate Sponsor

Siemens Healthineers enables healthcare providers worldwide to increase value by empowering them on their journey towards expanding precision medicine, transforming care delivery, improving patient experience and digitalizing healthcare. A leader in medical technology, Siemens Healthineers is constantly innovating its portfolio of products and services in its core areas of diagnostic and therapeutic imaging and in laboratory diagnostics and molecular medicine. Siemens Healthineers is also actively developing its digital health services and enterprise services.

Innovation Partner

imprivata.com

Imprivata®, the digital identity company for healthcare, provides identity, authentication, and access management solutions that are purpose-built to solve healthcare’s unique workflow, security, and compliance challenges. Imprivata enables healthcare securely by establishing trust between people, technology, and information across the increasingly complex healthcare ecosystem. Emerging Global Technologies (EGT) is Imprivata distributor for the Middle East region.

Supporting Partner

plugandplaytechcenter.com

Plug and Play is a global innovation platform. Headquartered in Silicon Valley, we have built accelerator programs, corporate innovation services, and an in-house VC to make technological advancement progress faster than ever before. Since inception in 2006, our programs have expanded worldwide to include a presence in over 30 locations globally, giving startups the necessary resources to succeed in Silicon Valley and beyond. With over 10,000 startups and 400 official corporate partners, we have created the ultimate startup ecosystem in many industries. Companies in our community have raised over $9 billion in funding, with successful portfolio exits including Danger, Dropbox, Lending Club and PayPal. For more information, visit https://www.plugandplaytechcenter.com/

Supporting Partner

velametis.com

Velametis is an advisory services provider. Our vision is to enhance Healthtech Pharma products and companies through bespoke evidence and guidance, to bring life-changing technologies to users and patients around the world

Supporting Partner

areawfi.com

AreaWFI, new one integrated telecommunication system to have action like human during the Internet user experience. WFI system introduces a new level of communication, that one to give execution to a digital service. The system has a very high security level and extremely simple way to use for the end user. It’s integrable in every process and every functionality and it is possible to write it in more development languages. It is really a new Internet approach also for structures of networking and it can be considered really a new way to be connected to the virtual digital world. We create digital identity to have physical real action. No more problems for your data, no more problems for passwords, credit card numbers or any other kind of personal and sensitive data. Only your last action to give execution, more of a simple digital result. You can have secure Internet world only if you do the right action in the right moment.

Claire Reilly, Sr. Clinical Workflow Specialist, Imprivata

Claire is currently the Senior Clinical Workflow Specialist at Imprivata where she advises on the clinical practice of healthcare IT Security. She very seamlessly combines her clinical and academic expertise with her understanding of how digital solutions interface with human factors and clinical regulatory requirements to benefit patients, clinicians and organisations.

She trained at Peterborough and Stamford School of Nursing in the United Kingdom, then pursued her Masters in Health Informatics, with an Upper Merit at University of Central Lancashire in the United Kingdom.

Claire brings over 25 years of experience in the healthcare industry as an Emergency Room Charge Nurse RN, where she has practiced worldwide, contributing to our global marketing clinical practices: Sidra Research and Medical Center, Qatar, Beth Israel Deaconess medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, King Edward Memorial VII Hospital, Bermuda, King Abdul-Aziz Military Hospital, Al Khobar, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) Saudi Aramco oil Company, Al Khobar, KSA., Peterborough District Hospital, Peterborough, United Kingdom

Daniel Johnston, Clinical Workflow Specialist, Imprivata

Daniel is currently a Clinical Workflow Specialist at Imprivata where he advises on the clinical practice of healthcare IT Security. Daniel specializes in advancing patient outcomes through collaborations across clinical disciplines, organizational management, clinical and academic institutions as well as industry.

Daniel has experience in a range of roles internationally and within the UK at world class institutions including Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston MA- Teaching Hospital-Harvard Medical School, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, King’s College London, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust. He has held leadership positions spanning clinical care, research and development as well as teaching, within the field of emergency medicine.

His experience is informed from a breadth of knowledge in specialty disciplines, integrating clinical and operational healthcare expertise. He has first-hand experience and comprehensive insight into the contemporary challenges of healthcare provision within the UK and overseas (USA, Iceland, Denmark and Haiti). This has led to gaining a deep understanding of how evidence-based solutions can be successfully formed from quantitative and qualitative analysis.

Engr. Ahmed Al Zahrani, Director of Healthcare Technology Development, Ministry of National Guard – Health Affairs, KSA

Engr. Ahmed Al Zahrani is a Director of Healthcare Technology Development at National Guard Health Affairs in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, He leads the development activities of healthcare technological solutions. Engr. Al Zahrani is also leading the medical devices integration and connectivity program to enable the data exchange between the medical devices and the Electronic medical record (EMR), and to automate the processes of the clinical workflow toward improving the efficiency, quality and safety of patient care at National Guard Health Affairs facilities and affiliates.

Eng. Abdulaziz Alkhlaif, Chief Information Officer, Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Mishari Hospital

Eng. Abdulaziz N. Alkhlaif is a veteran of 23 years working in the IT and information management field. with 13 years in the HIT. The latest challenges he took over are implementing ERP and HIS System for hospitals in various stages of operation. he has worked on the logistics and the architect of the system delivery that suits the organization’s objectives. keeping current and update with the latest technologies with E-learning and online content and contributing and being a member of the local and international interest groups and institutions. working with local and brand names solution providers to fulfil the goals of digital transformation for Hospitals

Laila Al Hadhrami, Director of Building Capacity- Oman Smart City Platform, Ministry of Technology and Communication, Oman

Laila Al Hadhrami is

* A senior Executive Digital Trasnformation in eTransformation team in Ministry of Communications and Technology.
* Director of Building Capacity in Smart City Platform.
* Change Management Consultant for digital transformation teams.
* Founder of Change Management Community of Practice
* Found of Smart City Ambassadors

Laila started working since 2005 and has experience and professional certificates in different fields in Government Innovation; Change Management, UX, Re-process engineering, Business Analysis, Project Management and Knowledge Management. Laila has also participated as a speaker in many conferences and seminars in Oman and overseas. Laila currently is leading national projects in Oman like the Government Innovation in emerging technologies and Smart Ambassador initiative in Oman and other projects related to digital transformation.

* Laila is a member in different committees in Oman and Overseas. She is also a member in the UN standards evaluation internal committee.
* Laila is a Member in UNSECO ICT Program, Beirut
* Laila has worked also as UNU-EGOV fellowship Research in Guimaraes, Portugal
* Laila has published two translated books, some short stories, and currently working in writing two books about her experience in Travel as it is one of her passionate hobbies.
* Lails is also very experienced in digital and social media and she is the founder of @oman_traveler, the first tourism account in Oman with more than 200K followers.

Mohammad Altura, Chief of IT Sector, Communication Information Technology Regulatory Authority (CITRA), Kuwait

Mohammad have spent most of his career with Microsoft International after graduating B.A. Computer Science from University of Colorado in May 1993. 19 years of experience in software giant played multipleroles:

* Corporate Sales Manager –Dubai
* Copyright Manager -Saudi Arabia
* Manufacturing Sector Manager -Saudi Arabia
* Public Sector Manager –Kuwait
* Public Sector Manager -Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain

Currently as a Chief of IT at CITRA, Mohammad is responsible for:

* National IT Governance Public Sector.
* IT Industry Developmentand Innovation
* Kuwait Digital Transformation

Edmond Tehini, Chief Executive Officer, Infosysta

Edmond Tehini joined Infosysta as CEO in 2020. Edmond started his career at Murex (www.murex.com) in Paris in January 2001. After 04 years he joined Calypso Technology (www.calypso.com) to build from the ground up the Southern European operation. Throughout his 11 years at Calypso he held several Senior Roles, the latest in date was Managing Director for the Middle East and Turkey-based out of Dubai where he was responsible for both the Software and the Services divisions. Edmond holds a Masters in Economics from Paris II University and an MBA from ESCP-EAP.

Yousef Khalili, General Manager & Head of Global Digital Government Practice, NXN

In his role as the head of the Smart City consulting practice in the UAE, Yousef oversees some of the world’s most ambitious Smart City, Smart District and Smart Government transformation engagements in the world, and manages executive client relationships.

Yousef has twenty-five years of experience and assumed senior leadership roles at leading multinational and local companies operating in the EMEA region. He spent 9 years at Cisco Systems and his last role was the Director of Operations covering the EMEA region with a mandate of transforming the sales business model from a customer-led model to a $3 billion partner-led one, and introducing a higher level of innovation within the eco-system of channel partners.

Prior to joining Cisco, Yousef served as the head of marketing for Microsoft and was responsible for Microsoft’s overall brand positioning, CSR, and corporate communications & affairs in the Middle East region.

Yousef worked within the public sector as well, and was part of the founding team behind Dubai e-Government with a mission to help achieve H.H. Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid’s vision of having 70% of all Dubai government’s transactions done online within 3 years back in 2001.

Youssef holds a Global Executive Master’s degree from INSEAD and a bachelor degree in Business Administration from University of Jordan.

Alaa Mahjoub, Former Data Management Senior Expert, Abu Dhabi Department of Transport

Alaa Mahjoub is a Data Management Senior Expert with decades of insightful experience in Transportation, Defense, Utility, and Petroleum at various governmental organizations. His experience across the EMEA and the Far East regions includes programs’ leadership and providing consultancies and training in UAE, Kuwait, Egypt, Malaysia, Singapore, and the UK. He has been active in the areas of Digital Business Transformation, Industrial Automation and Control Systems (IACS), Enterprise Architecture (EA), Enterprise Information Management (EIM), as well as Command, Control, Communications, Computers and Intelligence (C4I) for over 30 years. He has been a leading contributor to the IACS, EA, EIM, and C4I programs in Abu Dhabi Department of Transports (DoT), Abu Dhabi Onshore Petroleum Operations Ltd (ADCO), Abu Dhabi Transmission and Dispatch Company (TRANSCO) and the Egyptian and the Kuwaiti MoD. He received his B.Sc. and M.Sc. degrees in Computer Engineering from the Military Technical College (MTC) and Cairo University respectively. He lectured, published, and reviewed numerous research papers in the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE), the International Council on Large Electric Systems (Cigre) and the Arab Union of Electricity. Alaa’s current research interest includes real-time operational intelligence and applying digital business to create new business designs.

Aarti Sreenivas, Business Development Manager, TAIGER

Aarti has had a variety of experiences across Technology, Finance and Law. She is currently the Business Development Manager at TAIGER, one of South-East Asia’s fastest growing Artificial Intelligence startups, where she leads international expansion in the Middle East. Previously, she led fund raising rounds at two Fintech startups and started her career in Private Equity. She has a Bachelors in Law from the University of Manchester and a Masters in International Law from Georgetown University.

Silah Gulf

http://www.silah.bh/

Headquartered in the Kingdom of Bahrain, Silah Gulf is a leading, multi award-winning Customer Experience solutions provider. Launched in 2009, as a joint venture in the Middle East by Bahrain’s Government and UK-based Merchants (Dimension Data), Silah has operations in Bahrain, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.

With a unique mix of tools, expertise and a proven track record of over 35 years in the industry, we deliver end-to-end customer experience solutions for our clients. We are experts in driving innovation and take a consultative, yet pragmatic approach with real-world operational experience. Offering a full spectrum of services, we advise companies on how to transform their customer experience infrastructure, provide specialist training and certification, deploy high-tech solutions, as well as handle the running of the entire customer service operations.

Being in the service industry, we are passionate about our people and take pride in what we do. Our ability to attract the best talent, coupled with our rich history of success and innovation across different industries, is what sets us apart from our competitors.

TAIGER

https://taiger.com

TAIGER is the market leader and pioneer of Knowledge Process Optimization. TAIGER’s mission is to help organizations optimize operational efficiencies by automating complex cognitive tasks.

We specialize in advanced AI-engineered information access and extraction solutions that exploit the meaning of structured and unstructured information with unparalleled accuracy across industries, including financial services and governments – significantly reducing costs, human risks, and increasing efficiency and trimming processes for organizations. Our products include intelligent information extraction, semantic search engine and a humanistic virtual assistant.

Our solutions are also fully accredited by IMDA Singapore and we’re recognized as an IDC innovator in AI in 2019, Gartner Cool Vendor in 2017 and has garnered awards and recognition for redefining the future of artificial intelligence.

TAIGER is headquartered in Singapore with global offices in Dubai, Madrid and Mexico City.

Vivek Shukla, Partner, Healthcare, RSM

As a senior healthcare advisor, Vivek Shukla works closely with top healthcare leaders to create strategic growth vectors for their healthcare organizations. Hailed as a thought leader, he has served several clients and a large healthcare organization over the last 22 years.

He currently works as a Partner for Healthcare Consulting in RSM, which is a global firm.

Vivek Shukla speaks passionately about healthcare growth and strategy across the world. He is an avid writer with over 120 published articles and one book to his name.

Innovation Partner

shop.nuance.co.uk

Nuance provides intelligent systems that support a more natural and insightful approach to clinical documentation, freeing clinicians to spend more time caring for patients. Nuance healthcare solutions capture, improve, and communicate more than 300 million patient stories each year, helping more than 500,000 clinicians in 10,000 global healthcare organizations to drive meaningful clinical and financial outcomes. Nuance’s award-winning clinical speech recognition, medical transcription, CDI, coding, quality, and medical imaging solutions provide a more complete and accurate view of patient care. EGT has been Nuance distributor for the Middle East since 2001 and has successfully executed projects with many regional clients.

Innovation Partner

emitachealthcare.com

Our Digital Transformation range will enable caregivers to enhance their operations and create greater efficiencies in all aspects of healthcare management. We cater to all technological needs of a modern healthcare provider ranging from clinical information solutions to the installation of communications systems, through our research and development. Through the support of our partners, and our own expertise in this field, our Software Solutions offering expands to offer comprehensive solutions in Communication, Patient Entertainment systems, Tracking & Protection systems, Nurse Call systems, Voice recognition systems, PACS, Signature Solutions and Clinical Information Systems.

Dr. Louiza Chitour, Program & Partnerships Manager, MENA, Plug and Play

Dr. Louiza (Pharm D, MBA, Ph.D.) has 10+ years of experience in Healthcare, Pharma, biotech and Digital Health industries in Asia (China) and the Middle East & Africa. Over the last 5 years in the UAE, she was responsible for assisting government institutions and private players in the biotech/pharma sector to strengthen their vaccine manufacturing capabilities across the MEA region and Pakistan.

She is also the co-founder of a Digital Health venture “ Magikcraft ” that develops health education videogames for Type 1 Diabetes and other diseases (cystic fibrosis, Type 2 Diabetes). Prior to that, she spent 8 years in China for her postgraduate studies and her early professional career in the recruitment industry for an Australian recruitment firm in Shanghai, helping F500 companies in the healthcare/Pharma sector find the best talent and expand in the Greater China area.

She is currently the head of the MENA Health Tech Program at Plug and Play ADGM where, in Partnership with the Department of Health, she is working to develop the Digital Health Ecosystem in Abu Dhabi and across the MENA Region.

Dr. Steven A. Matarelli, Senior Clinical Executive, Vocera Communications

Steven A. Matarelli, PhD, RN is Senior Clinical Executive for Vocera Communications, a recognized leader in clinical communication and workflow solutions.

Formerly, Dr. Matarelli worked for Joint Commission Resources in the role of Field Director International Accreditation and Johns Hopkins Medicine International in the role of Chief Operating Officer/Chief Clinical Officer of Tawam Hospital, United Arab Emirates. Dr. Matarelli is a highly experienced national and international speaker in the United States, Middle East, and Asia on topics of nursing care, hospital operations, patient safety, research, and “theory-into-practice” for healthcare providers, community organizations, and academic settings. His 35 + years of healthcare experience has spanned clinical and executive operations, academia, and industry.

Dr Simon Wallace, Chief Clinical Information Officer, Nuance

Dr Simon Wallace is CCIO of Nuance’s Healthcare division in the UK and Ireland. He has worked as a GP, hospital and public health doctor in Brighton and London. Simon’s previous roles include Bupa, Dr Foster, Cerner Corporation and GSK – working across a range of technologies, including electronic patient records, telemedicine, mobile health and lifestyle devices.

Maazza Al Magthob, Director Patient Experience, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi

Maazza Almagthob, MBA/ Director of Patient Experience CCAD/ Master Life Coach/ NLP Master Practitioner & Coach/ Mindfulness Coach Maazza Almagthob is the Patient Experience Director at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi. Maazza joined the Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi team in 2013 and has over 25 years experience in customer service including the Dubai World Trade Center, hospitals, and banking institutions. Maazza currently holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Manchester University.

Maazza is passionate about Patient Experience and Service Excellence. Most recently she collaborated with experts from the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio to develop and tailor a communication training program for physicians here in UAE that was well received by the physician community. In addition, Maazza leads a team of caregivers who promote best practices, create action plans, and run observation programs to ensure an exceptional patient experience at the Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi.

Maazza is a certified Master coach and NLP Master practitioner. Maazza has two sons in University and enjoys spending her free time coaching individuals and supporting them in their personal development

Joseph Musolino, Global Strategy and Sales lead – Fraud and Security Intelligence, SAS

Joseph’s role in SAS is focused on Customer Advisory focusing on C-Level engagement, Digital and Analytics transformation. This role leverages his experience in Government which has included Program Management, Solution Architecture, Sales & Marketing, Policy Creation, Operations and Compliance.

He has over 19 years’ experience in Consulting, IT, Government, Regulatory and Financial Services.

He began his career in the Australian Social Security department then subsequently moved to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO), where he worked on a number of high profile Business and IT initiatives such as the implementation of the New Tax System, Integration with Australian Customs and the Change Program.

Joseph left the ATO to start his own consulting firm (in the UK) where he worked with (and consulted to) a number of Revenue Administrations (HMRC), Funding Agencies (World Bank) and Private Companies (IBM), providing strategic and delivery consultancy. He has worked with over 75+ Tax, Customs & other Government Administrations around the world, helping them introduce new initiatives, transform and digitize.

Joseph’s differentiating value is that he understands the end-to-end policy, business and IT requirements of government agencies along with an extensive experience in managing and delivering complex programs. This allows him to successfully balance between customers needs while also understanding what it takes to deliver.

Strategic Partner

www.ergotron.com

Ergotron, Inc. is a global company focused on designing and manufacturing solutions for dynamic work environments so people can thrive as they work, learn and care for others. The way we interact with technology, collaborate with others and pursue our individual potential is changing. Ergotron supports this evolution with innovative solutions that eliminate constraint through movement. Through the custom solutions group, Ergotron provides unique product offerings to companies like Amazon, HermanMiller, GE Healthcare and Cisco Systems. The company has a 35-year history of innovation with more than 200 patents and a growing portfolio of award-winning brands.

AI & Analytics Partner

https://www.sas.com

SAS is the leader in analytics. Through innovative software and services, SAS empowers and inspires customers around the world to transform data into intelligence. SAS gives you THE POWER TO KNOW®.

Lina Abou Mrad, National E-Health Director, Ministry of Public Health Lebanon

Director of the National E-Health Program at the Ministry of Public Health with more than 20 years of experience in the field of Health Information System and Lecturer at the Faculty of Public Health in the Lebanese University.

Leading E-Government and Digital Transformation projects to create new business models and culture to promote transparency and ensure modernization of the administration. Expert in strategic planning, business process re-engineering and change management with main focus on Government, Pharmaceuticals and digital media and communication platforms. Member of several committees including Digital transformation Strategy, Good Governance, Unified E-Prescription, Drugs Traceability and Fighting Corruption.

Received many Awards including Best Government E-Services and Golden Smart Applications from the PAN Arab Excellence Awards Academy and Special Distinction and Appreciation Honors from Ministers of Health for developing digital platforms to improve the quality of healthcare services.

Vivek Shukla, Partner, Healthcare, RSM

As a senior healthcare advisor, Vivek Shukla works closely with top healthcare leaders to create strategic growth vectors for their healthcare organizations. Hailed as a thought leader, he has served several clients and a large healthcare organization over the last 22 years.

He currently works as a Partner for Healthcare Consulting in RSM, which is a global firm.

Vivek Shukla speaks passionately about healthcare growth and strategy across the world. He is an avid writer with over 120 published articles and one book to his name.

Deepinder Singh, Head – Quality and Performance Improvement, Al Zahra Hospital

Mr Deepinder Singh is the Head of Quality and Performance Improvement at Al Zahra Hospital Sharjah. In his current role, he is responsible for establishing, monitoring and improving quality standards of the Hospital and implementing best practices. Recently Mr Singh was awarded by the MOHAP, UAE for one of the best innovative Hospital in the country.
In the past, Mr Singh was the Group Head – Quality and Innovation at the KIMS Healthcare – a leading Hospital chain in GCC with presence in Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE and India.

He is an International Assessor from the prestigious Australian Council of Healthcare Standards (ACHS) NSW Australia, responsible for evaluating and improving healthcare standards in accordance to local regulations and global best practices. He has also worked with several regulatory bodies of the healthcare industry for improving the level of healthcare standards.

Back in India, Mr Singh has worked as the head of Strategy and Organizational development in Fortis Healthcare Limited – the second largest chain of Hospitals in the country.

In addition to his medical educational background, Mr Singh possesses MBA in Healthcare Services along with professional certifications from ASQ (American Society of Quality), Harvard (Massachusetts, USA), National Institute of Health (Maryland USA) and other professional bodies of the Healthcare Industry. He has been a keynote speaker in more than 35 conferences and workshops in Middle East and Asia.

With more than 17 years’ experience in Healthcare, his core specialties include Quality Improvement, Performance Management and Innovation.

Dr. Fatih Mehmet Gul, Chief Operating Officer, Fakeeh University Hospital

A Senior Executive Physician, Dr. Gul spent several years in healthcare business development and management for

* Clinic operation development, medical recruitment, business development and management
* International medical services (medical tourism, assistance, evacuation, repatriation)
* On-Site / remote medical services (occupational health, onshore – offshore clinic management)

Having had the opportunity to become affiliated with different countries and cultures, Dr. Gul holds significant experience in health, insurance, aviation sectors, mainly in the Middle East and North Africa region.

Dr. Gul is passionate for CSR & Sustainability and founder and Executive Director of CSR Middle East platform (2005) leading thousands of corporate members on their regional initiatives.

Dr. Gul is on the prestigious list of “2011 TOP 100 THOUGHT LEADERS in Europe and the Middle East”.

Rami Zahran, Group Chief Marketing Officer, Saudi German Hospital Group

Rami Zahran is the Group Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) of the Saudi German Hospital Group in KSA. He is responsible for the company’s Marketing, Communications, Digital and Events activities in Saudi Arabia. He has been responsible for transforming the department completely since taking over the role and has been credited for a significant positive impact to brand awareness and equity, as well as an increase in financial performance of the business.

Rami has over twelve years of high-profile marketing experience and a proven track record in the healthcare sector. Most recently, he served as Director of Marketing, Communications and Business Development at American Hospital Dubai. Prior to that, he held a managerial role in the marketing department of Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi. Earlier in his career, Rami was a Communication Manager at Leo Burnett Dubai.

Rami Zahran holds an MSc in International Management for Middle East and Africa from the University of London and a BBA in Marketing and Advertising from American University in Dubai. In 2018, he was recognized as one of the top marketers in the Middle East by VMF Powerlist.

Khaled Bin Mahfouz, Business Development Manager, BIAC

Khalid Y. Almahfouz – Worked for ten years in Saudi Aramco navigating around several business disciplines including unconventional energy resources in addition to accounting policies and systems. Lead the funding and marketing department for Dhahran Techno Valley Investment Company before joining BIAC as a Business Incubator manager (Badir Program) in the Eastern Province and recently got appointed as the director of Business Development. Strategic and financial advisor to several small and medium enterprises in the region. Expert in strategic planning and business models.

Meriem Menani – Senior Public Policy Analyst, The Economist Intelligence Unit (The EIU)

Meriem is a Senior Analyst for The EIU’s Public Policy practice. She specialises in technology policy, the digital economy, and developing strategies for national digital transformation and growth across the EMEA region. Meriem regularly writes about geopolitical and macroeconomic affairs for The Economist Group and participates as a speaker at international policy conferences. Prior to The EIU, Meriem worked for the World Bank Group, where she focused on devising economic reform strategies for a country in Africa. Meriem holds an MSc in Public Management and Governance from the London School of Economics and a BSc in International Management with French from the University of Bath.

Cristiano Guerrieri, Director Presales, UBiqube

Cristiano is a Director Presales Engineer with over 13 years of experience in working with large company within different roles that provides him a vast areas of expertise in multiple domains.
Starting in Italy as Network administrator, he moved to the SOC, NOC department as team leader and subsequently to the Security department as lead auditor.
His quest to gain international experience led him to seek and find a professional challenge in Ireland, in the internet services industry.
Arrived in Ireland in 2008, he took the position as Senior Network Engineer and then leading a team in the innovation labs. He reached the Presale Engineer/Network Architect position that allowed him to deal with international corporations and major Telcom operators across the globe proposing, designing and implementing tailor made network’s solution. He travelled extensively between Europe, Arabic Peninsula and Japan.
He joined later a US company as presales engineer helping establishing the European operations and being one of the key elements for their success.
Since 2017 he joined Ubiqube reaching the position of Director Presales.
One of his biggest achievements was the design and the implementation of migration plan for the electricity smart grid network, for the largest electricity provider in Portugal.
He has attended the Cisco Network Academy Italy and San Francisco obtaining several Cisco
certifications. He is also an ISO27001 certified auditor.

Arista

Strategic Partner

http://www.arista.com/en/

Arista Networks was founded to pioneer and deliver software-driven cloud networking solutions for large data center storage and computing environments. Arista’s awardwinning platforms, ranging in Ethernet speeds from 10 to 400 gigabits per second, redefine scalability, agility and resilience. Arista has shipped more than 20 million cloud networking ports worldwide with CloudVision® and Arista EOS, an advanced network operating system. Committed to open standards, Arista is a founding member of the 25/50GbE consortium. Arista Networks products are available worldwide directly and through partners

Rethink Robotics

Strategic Partner

https://www.rethinkrobotics.com/

Rethink Robotics GmbH is a pioneer in the field of collaborative robot solutions and serves as a strong and reliable partner for manufacturers of every size and industry. Companies can automate their value chain with the innovative combination of cobot Sawyer as the hardware and Intera as the software. Rethink Robotics is part of the HAHN Group since 2018 and continues to drive the development of collaborative robots with the combination of pioneer spirit and German engineering.

HAHN Digital supports

Strategic Partner

http://www.hahn.digital/en/

HAHN Digital supports customers in their digital transformation by leveraging the benefits of the automation segment and embracing digitalization and data analytics. The company develops new products and services focusing on customer success with innovative digital technologies. HAHN Digital acts as an agile, flexible and fast-moving service provider and focuses on user centricity, a solution focused approach, flexibility and scalability for its customers. HAHN Digital was founded in 2019 by HAHN Group and brings the agile, goal-oriented working methods of a startup and the long-standing experience of the HAHN Group together.
The HAHN Group consists of a network of specialized companies for industrial automation and robot solutions. With its own global production sites the group currently employs approx. 1,400 staff at 24 locations. Well-known customers from the automotive, consumer goods, electronics, medical technology, and healthcare industries benefit from the HAHN Group’s 30 years of expertise and automation know-how.

Barq App

Strategic Partner

https://barqapp.com

By simply connecting senders with travelers, Barq provides high-speed, convenient and secure shipping services with a few easy clicks on your phone! We provide travelers with an opportunity to convert their extra luggage space into cash, and senders to save on shipping.
We believe in building a trusted community, by giving both the sender and traveler the freedom to establish direct communication between one another in order to ensure the utmost care needed for the package during delivery.
Download Barq app now and be part of the new shipping revolution.

OYO

Hotel Booking Partner

https://www.oyorooms.com/ae/

OYO is the fastest growing hotel chain in the world and the largest in the Middle East!
It was established in 2012 in India and started to expand over 6 years in other countries such as China, Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia, Japan, United Arab Emirates and now has a wide reach in Saudi Arabia.
OYO is keen to keep pace with its expansion in the Arab community furthermore with a mission to help people on finding the perfect space in every place. In just five short years, OYO has gone places from 1 room to million rooms across 80 countries, in 800+ cities with a variety of 35,000 hotels/homes.
OYO is now covering 13 cities in Saudi Arabia, with more than 120 hotels. Seeking to cover all cities by 2020

ZOHO

Associate Sponsor

https://www.zoho.com/

Zoho is the operating system for business – a single cloud platform with all the necessary applications to run a business entirely from the cloud. Zoho offers applications for marketing, sales, customer support, finance, human resources, employee productivity and collaboration. More than 45 million users around the world rely on Zoho to run their businesses – including Zoho itself. Over the past decade, the Zoho suite has emerged to be a leader in the cloud and on your devices. Zoho applications are accessible on your mobile, so your team has the flexibility to work on the go and remain productive. When you choose Zoho for your organization or as an individual, you get our commitment to keep improving your experience and our devotion to customer satisfaction.

Dr. Nabil Elwani, GM, Strategy & Operational Excellence, Diplomatic Quarter General Authority

Dr. Nabil Elwani is the General Manager of Strategy and Operational Excellence in the Diplomatic Quarter General Authority. He has 15+ years of rich experience in proffering strategic consultancy and empowering companies to achieve high-impact business outcomes through analytics. Mastered project management, strategic transformation, behavioural analysis, knowledge management, information seeking behaviour and statistical analysis.

Dr. Nabil holds a Ph.D. in Information Science with a minor in finance from the University of North Texas, and he earned his master of accounting (MAcc) from The Ohio State University. He is a certified KPI Practitioner, and a fellow of the American Academy of Financial Management (Chartered Market Analyst, Certified Private Equity Specialist, Chartered Portfolio Manager).

Ghaith Rajeh, Business Director, Revonic

Ghaith is an avid user experience enthusiast with a passion for connecting brands and humans to spark the emotion behind that everlasting relationship. At Revonic, Ghaith’s main role is to advise client partners on how to utilise not only existing assets but also work closely to develop digital strategies to transform their organisation and drive business performance. Understanding audiences and creating that single customer view is only the first step in a long journey to utilise the power of data in order to create personalised experiences.

Mohammed Alsehli, Chief Executive Officer, Wetaq

Mohammed Alsehli is a fintech entrepreneur, a service management expert and a CISI qualified in Islamic finance with a background in Software Engineering and Banking. Featured among the 500 who are making the Islamic economy (Islamica500 Publication) and among the 100 influential people helping to shape the Emirate (ArabianBusiness). Mohammed is the Co-founder and CEO of Wethaq Capital Markets, a fintech venture focusing on building regulated infrastructure for the Sukuk Capital Markets.

Dr. Hatem Bugshan, Head of Middle East, Big Innovation Centre

As Head of Big Innovation Centre in Middle East, Dr. Hatem Bugshan aims to redefine the current innovation landscape to be more open and collaborative. Through a local presence of Big Innovation Centre, he will lead the its contribution to transforming the Middle East economy into a smart knowledge-based economy which can unleash the economic growth and unlock the hidden potential of digital, AI and Future-Tech opportunities.

Hatem holds a unique combination of business skills, expertise, and passion for innovation-led societies:

Corporate leadership: As a member of Bugshan Group, Hatem’s experience in business leadership builds upon one of the largest conglomerates in the Middle East and North Africa region. ThImportant Rolee Bugshan Group have in-depth knowledge of the business in each sector and servicing the market for more than 50+ years to the ever-increasing needs of its client and stakeholders. The business group operates various companies in a diversified set of sectors, including real estate, automotive, perfumes and cosmetics, education, and security and defence.

Thought leadership in innovation: Hatem has received his PhD from University of London. His specialism is Intellectual Property Rights and Open Innovation. He has published in high quality peer reviewed journals such as Journal of Strategic Marketing, Journal of Enterprise Information Management, and Qualitative Market Research. He has also presented his papers in international conferences.

Entrepreneurship: Also, Hatem is the founder and president of Education e-Solutions which is established with a mission to become pedagogical and business enablers for both academic and corporate institutions by providing end to end services with a rationale, offer best practices and implement solutions with a key focus on change management. Education e-Solutions is an innovative company that brings to Saudi Arabia the latest learning and teaching technologies right from immersive technologies such as Virtual Reality or Augmented Reality, Adaptive Learning or Machine Learning to Smart Campus technologies.

Mansour comes with over 24 years of professional experience across various functions in Business Development, Sales & customer experience management. Mansour has been was associated with Saudi Telecom since 2001 till 2011 till he joined CCC. In the past Mansour has worked with various organizations including Royal Saudi Air Force, etc..

Mansour has a Post-graduation Computer Information System from Florida institute of technology, Florida, USA

Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) – 2011 till Date

Has been associated with CCC since the beginning of CCC. As a Chief Commercial Officer, Mansour heads the sales, marketing and relationship management functions in CCC. Mansour has been a key contributor for the significant growth of CCC in the past 7 years.

Mansour has been hands on managing the relationship with one of the largest customer of CCC – i.e. STC. As a corporate sponsor Mansour will ensure to puts the right team in place and is committed to deliver excellent working relationship with all our clients.

Contact Center Company (CCC)

Digital Customer Experience Sponsor

https://www.ccc.net.sa/en

Contact Center Company (CCC) is a leading customer experience management company, headquartered in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. We are currently present in two strategic locations across KSA, with a stronghold of 4000+ employees of both genders and are backed by a strong financial stability and a high Saudization rate.

Our differentiated innovation, agility, expertise and flawless execution enable us to deliver excellence in customer experiences and obtain high-performance results for our clients with every project we undertake.

Our spectrum of seamless solutions spans outsourced customer care, technology services, digital business, consulting, back office, and other specialized services to enrich customer experience. We offer a variety of Solutions and Services that fit the business needs of different vertical markets with a strong services road-map that can go beyond customer expectations. We apply best-in-class practices to offer omni-channel operations to ensure that our outcomes for our clients are of the highest quality, scalability and productivity.

Dr. Hani Almashhadi holds a Ph.D in Business Administration from the University of Dallas, a EMBA from IMD Lausanne and is graduated (B.Sci) in Hospitality Management from the University of Massachusetts. He also attended various executive programs from Harvard, MIT and Stanford.
Dr. Almashhadi held various senior positions such as Head of private wealth at Deutsche Bank Saudi Arabia and Head of margin trading at Bank Saudi Fransi.
He founded SPI Investments in 2001. The company focused on investing in Start-Ups and developed its franchise reaching $250 Mio in assets under management.
In 2017, Dr Hani decided to change path and joined the ministry of housing as Head of Strategy and Finance for Developmental Housing and now as Finance Advisor at the Housing Program.
Dr Almashhadi has accumulated a remarkable expertise in business growth, financial management, and leadership administration in a wide range of diversified contexts and industries that he is always happy to share with his colleagues as well as a wide audience.

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Automation Connect

automationconnect.com

AutomationConnect.com is India’s First Comprehensive Industrial Automation Platform which allows seamless interface between Automation Providers/Vendors, Dealers and Distributors, System Integrators, End Customers, Consultants and Students. The Portal would enable various stakeholders of automation space to interact and do business

TechSci Research

techsciresearch.com

TechSci Research is an award-winning research based management consulting firm providing market research and advisory solutions to its customers worldwide, spanning a range of industries.

TechSci Research provides its customers with high value market research and advisory services that helps them identify new market opportunities, growth engines and innovative ways to capture the market share. TechSci’s areas of functional expertise are – Automotive, BFSI, Infrastructure, IT and Telecom, Consumer Durables, Chemical, Industrial Automation, Oil and Gas, Water, FMCG and Retail, Semiconductor and Power. TechSci serves over 700 global clients with premium market research studies spanning across different verticals.

Leading organizations use TechSci Research for meeting strategic business goals and making informed business decisions.

TechSci Research is committed to assisting customers worldwide with their unique market research needs by providing them with comprehensive, value-added solutions and professional market intelligence services. TechSci Research employs the industry’s best-trained industry Analysts and Consultants, which advises and assists customers in meeting their full-service market research and consulting requirements

Manufacturing Tomorrow

manufacturingtomorrow.com

ManufacturingTomorrow.com is an Online Trade Magazine featuring Products, Companies, News, Articles and Events for the Advanced Manufacturing, Factory Automation & 3D Printing industries.

Financial IT

financialit.net

Financial IT is a digital platform for multimedia and editorial content, rankings and overviews of major industry events. Financial IT magazine is published throughout the year in digital form. Financial IT magazine is available in print form at major trade events through our media partnerships. We believe that our competitive edge comes from our established relationships with financial IT companies and institutions, the breadth of the solutions described and the quality of content. Financial IT provides a detailed map of the everchanging space where the IT provider sector meets the broadly defined financial services sector.

Fintech Finance

fintechf.com

Fintech Finance works with renowned executives in the industry to provide key decision-makers globally within leading financial services organizations with reliable and accurate intelligence on emerging trends and breakthrough technologies, helping them to make informed decisions.

We invest heavily in a continually updated global database of decision-makers to ensure precise and accurate coverage of the budget-holders responsible for purchasing and specifying all the products and services they need to operate successfully.

eHealth News

ehealthnews.eu

eHealthNews.eu is the first European eHealth news portal and one of the most visited sites on the Internet for eHealth decision-makers, professionals and stakeholders looking for the latest eHealth breaking news.

Health Biz Insight

healthbizinsight.com

Health Biz Insight is the only magazine covering the business of healthcare in India and the Middle East. We keep in sync with today’s healthcare industry, its trends, newer business strategies, latest technologies, and everything that is a must to run a successful business; and bring this information to our readers every month. We focus on introducing newer business concepts, which are thoroughly researched, to give the industry vital tools to enhance their business verticals.

Dr. K. Ganapathy, Director, Apollo Telemedicine Networking Foundation

K. GANAPATHY M.Ch.(Neurosurgery), FACS, FICS, FAMS Ph.D is a Past President of the Telemedicine Society of India ,former Secretary and Past  President of the  Neurological Society of India and  Emeritus Professor @ Dr MGR Tamilnadu Medical University, Chennai. In 1990 he became the first in South Asia to get a Ph.D in neuro-imaging.  He is Member of the Editorial Board of  5 International and 3 National Journals in Neurosciences and Telemedicine. He was the first neurosurgeon from South Asia  to be formally trained in  Stereotactic radiosurgery in 1995 and later in Robotic Radiosurgery in 2008.. Mentor for MBA scholars from Harvard Business School Yale University and renowned Indian universities During the last 45 years presented 543  papers in national conferences and 177 in International meetings. He has published  about 243 scientific papers &  16 chapters in books,”. He is on the Board of Directors  of the Apollo Telemedicine Networking  Foundation, the largest and oldest multi-specialty Telemedicine network in South Asia and Apollo Telehealth Services. Columbia University selected ATNF to demonstrate global best practices. Full CV available at kganapathy.com.

Dr. Ramadan Alblooshi, Chief Regulatory Officer, Dubai Healthcare City Authority

At DHCA, Dr Ramadan heads Dubai Healthcare City Authority – Regulatory (DHCR), the independent regulator of the Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC) free zone, a health and wellness destination. DHCR is responsible for the licensure of all healthcare professionals and healthcare operators and sets and maintains international best practice in healthcare delivery and patient care within the free zone. In an earlier role, Dr. Ramadan was the Director of the Health Regulation Department at Dubai Health Authority. His expertise is clinical governance.

RSM is a powerful network of audit, tax and consulting experts with offices across 120 countries, ranked among top 10 healthcare consulting firms in the USA in 2019 and has global credentials of managing 5200 clients in healthcare industry alone.
RSM uses an innovative approach of amalgamating strategy and technology which enables healthcare clients to meet business challenges and sets them up for a superior competitive advantage.

RSM has a strong presence in the GCC; with an eye for detail our healthcare consulting services include,

Organic Growth

* Revenue enhancement plans with execution support
* Operational process re-engineering
* Brand launch. Brand audit. Brand rejuvenation
* Costing of procedures with cost optimization plan and execution support
* Revenue cycle audits and process improvement support
* Organizational development and transformation

Inorganic Growth

* Feasibility studies with financial projections
* New market strategy and implementation support
* Commercial and operational due diligence
* Transaction advisory on buy or sell side
* Valuation of target assets
* Post-merger integration support

Dr. Samer Ellahham, Director, Accreditation, Quality and Patient Safety Institute & Regional Chair, Middle East, Patient Safety Movement Foundation

Dr. Ellahham is currently Cleveland Clinic Caregiver, Cleveland, US seconded as Senior Cardiovascular Consultant and Director of Accreditation in the Quality and Safety Institute in Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi. He is the middle east regional chair, Patient Safety Movement Foundation, ISQua Expert, AHA Hospital Accreditation Science Committee, Member, European Society of Cardiology Heart Failure Writing Group, Member, ex-Middle East Representative of the JCI Standards Subcommittee and American College of Cardiology Accreditation Foundation Board, Member.

Dr. Ellahham received his undergraduate degree in biology and his M.D. from The American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon. Dr. Ellahham finished his internal medicine residency at Georgetown University Hospital – Washington Hospital Center and his fellowship in Cardiology at the Virginia Commonwealth University Health System in the USA. Dr. Ellahham worked in Washington DC at Georgetown University Hospital – Washington Hospital Center and in several clinical and leadership positions before moving to UAE in 2008.

Dr. Ellahham continues to be an active clinician. He demonstrates great skill and experience in the management of patients with heart failure, ischemic heart disease, and valvular heart disease and led a multi-disciplinary team in the care and delivery of advanced therapies to these patients. He has unique abilities to partner and engages local and regional referring providers. He can work in a highly matrixed environment, possess strong leadership and organizational skills, and have the experience of working effectively in a large health system. He led the First AHA GWTG Heart Failure Initiative outside the US and was the recipient of the AHA GWTG Award in Wash. DC. He is the champion of the AHA GWTG in the region.

Dr. Ellahham has served as Chief Quality Officer for SKMC from 2009 till 2017. In his role, he has led the development of a quality and program that has been highly successful and visible and has been recognized internationally by several awards. As Chief Quality Officer and Global Healthcare Leader, he had a focus on ensuring that the implementation of these best practices leads to breakthrough improvements in clinical quality, patient safety, patient experience, and risk management.

Abdulrahman Abdulaziz Alodhayb, Program Director – Digital Health, Armed Forces Medical Services

Mr. Abdulrhman Alodhayb serves as Chief Information Officer CIO for  more than 10 years of experience converting vision into world-class software solutions including Adaptive Leadership style and professional expertise in various industries, services and geographies with demonstrated initiative, creativity and success. 

Platinum Sponsor

philips.ae

Royal Philips is a leading health technology company focused on improving people’s health and enabling better outcomes across the health continuum from healthy living and prevention, to diagnosis, treatment and home care. Philips leverages advanced technology and deep clinical and consumer insights to deliver integrated solutions; enabling healthcare providers to improve outcomes, enhance the patient and staff experience, and provide value-based care

Associate partner

Finastra unlocks the potential of people and businesses in finance, creating a platform for open innovation. Formed in 2017 by the combination of Misys and D+H, we provide the broadest portfolio of financial services software in the world today—spanning retail banking, transaction banking, lending, and treasury and capital markets. Our solutions enable customers to deploy mission critical technology on premises or in the cloud. Our scale and geographical reach mean that we can serve customers effectively, regardless of their size or geographic location—from global financial institutions, to community banks and credit unions. Through our open, secure and reliable solutions, customers are empowered to accelerate growth, optimize cost, mitigate risk and continually evolve to meet the changing needs of their customers. 90 of the world’s top 100 banks use Finastra technology.

Dr. Samir Said, Connected Care and Healthcare Informatics Leader, Philips Middle East and Turkey

Dr. Samir Said leads the Connected Care and Healthcare Informatics at Philips, supporting Health Institutions with Innovative Solutions in their Digital Transformation journey to better serving Patients.

Before working at Philips, Dr. Samir was the General Manager, Health, Social Services and Life Sciences for Middle East and Africa at Microsoft Corporation.

Prior to joining Microsoft in 2007, Dr. Samir spent 10 years in the Pharmaceutical Industry as General Manager at Eli Lilly and Novartis.

Samir is a physician with a specialty in Psychiatry and Mental Health. He also advised the World Health Organization on National Mental Health Programs.

Digital Transformation Partner

www.huawei.com

Huawei is a leading global provider of information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure and smart devices. With integrated solutions across four key domains – telecom networks, IT, smart devices, and cloud services – we are committed to bringing digital to every person, home and organization for a fully connected, intelligent world.

Huawei’s end-to-end portfolio of products, solutions and services are both competitive and secure. Through open collaboration with ecosystem partners, we create lasting value for our customers, working to empower people, enrich home life, and inspire innovation in organizations of all shapes and sizes.

At Huawei, innovation focuses on customer needs. We invest heavily in basic research, concentrating on technological breakthroughs that drive the world forward. We have more than 194,000 employees, and we operate in more than 170 countries and regions. Founded in 1987, Huawei is a private company wholly owned by its employees.

Furqan Asrar Ahmed, eHealth Strategist, Ministry of Health, Saudi Arabia

Furqan has over 16 years of experience building Corporate Strategies and managing them through execution for Public and Private sector organizations. For the past 6 years he has been involved with the eHealth and IT Department within the Ministry of Health in Saudi Arabia.

REVONIC

Gold Sponsor

https://www.revonic.com/

Revonic is a leading digital experience design agency that partners with their clients to build digital capabilities that drive business performance by delivering exceptional data & insights analysis, strategy, UX, design and technology services. With offices in UAE, KSA and India, we are proud to work with most forward-thinking regional brands such as Emirates Airlines, Expo 2020, Mercedes Benz, Emirates NBD, Emaar, The Red Sea Project, Riyad Bank, Sabic and many more.

Steve Bell, Vice President Solutions Consulting EMEA, Verint

Steve Bell is VP of Solutions Consulting EMEA for Verint Systems. Steve has overall responsibility for Verint’s Solutions Consulting Team across EMEA, supporting sales of our Workforce Management, Customer Analytics and Engagement Management solutions. Steve has 20+ years of experience within the Contact Centre / Customer Engagement industry. He has been with Verint for 10 years, and prior to that held Solutions Management roles with other Contact Centre solutions providers such as Aspect and Enghouse Interactive.

Hani AlSaigh, Head of Technology Procurement, STC

Hani AlSaigh is Head of Technology Procurement at Saudi Telecom Company, the biggest Telecom operator in the Middle East with 20+ years’ experience. He is a Board Director at leading edge companies including STC Solutions, Middle East and SophiaTX in Europe. He is helping drive Saudi Vision 2030 focused on increasing local GDP.
Hani has been a guest speaker and panellist on thought leadership at TM Forum, Procurement Leaders, CIPS and European Institute of Procurement Management and introduced Digital Culture, Supplier Enabled Innovation, RPA and a host of initiatives to the region. He loves coaching leaders and helped change the culture at STC moving them from 4th to 1st quartile.
Hani is a former Lucent Technology Company engineer and has been a senior executive for over a decade, winning multiple awards from across the world for transformation. Through his work, he has managed spend of over $20 billion and saved organisations billions of dollars. Transformation is where he thrives, taking STC Procurement from 4nd to 2nd quartile in 3 years.
He’s a graduate of King Saud University with a degree in Telecom Engineering and a real passion to change the world through people.

Sunil Raveendran, Chief Technical Architect and Global Blockchain Centre of Competence (Lead), Allianz Technology India

Mr Sunil is with Allianz Technology India since 2006. Since then he offered technical leadership on large scale enterprise implementations across the globe. He is also responsible for evangelising cloud and devops across the organization and runs the Global learning centre on DevOps.
In his most recent assignment he is driving an initiative with government in launching a cluster based industry development strategy around Blockchain. He is also leading the Allianz Global Blochcian Centre of Competence activities from India. His regional expertise includes Japan, Europe, US and India. Prior to joining Allianz Technology, he worked with Wipro Technologies and Cognizant Technology Solutions.
Mr. Raveendran holds his masters in Computer Applications from University of Kerala, India. He is an Open Group TOGAF certified architect.

Cristiano Guerrieri Director Presales, UBiqube

Cristiano is a Director Presales Engineer with over 13 years of experience in working with large company within different roles that provides him a vast areas of expertise in multiple domains.
Starting in Italy as Network administrator, he moved to the SOC, NOC department as team leader and subsequently to the Security department as lead auditor.
His quest to gain international experience led him to seek and find a professional challenge in Ireland, in the internet services industry.
Arrived in Ireland in 2008, he took the position as Senior Network Engineer and then leading a team in the innovation labs. He reached the Presale Engineer/Network Architect position that allowed him to deal with international corporations and major Telcom operators across the globe proposing, designing and implementing tailor made network’s solution. He travelled extensively between Europe, Arabic Peninsula and Japan.
He joined later a US company as presales engineer helping establishing the European operations and being one of the key elements for their success.
Since 2017 he joined Ubiqube reaching the position of Director Presales.
One of his biggest achievements was the design and the implementation of migration plan for the electricity smart grid network, for the largest electricity provider in Portugal.
He has attended the Cisco Network Academy Italy and San Francisco obtaining several Cisco
certifications. He is also an ISO27001 certified auditor.

Hani AlSaigh, Head of Technology Procurement, STC

Hani AlSaigh is Head of Technology Procurement at Saudi Telecom Company, the biggest Telecom operator in the Middle East with 20+ years’ experience. He is a Board Director at leading edge companies including STC Solutions, Middle East and SophiaTX in Europe. He is helping drive Saudi Vision 2030 focused on increasing local GDP.

Hani has been a guest speaker and panellist on thought leadership at TM Forum, Procurement Leaders, CIPS and European Institute of Procurement Management and introduced Digital Culture, Supplier Enabled Innovation, RPA and a host of initiatives to the region. He loves coaching leaders and helped change the culture at STC moving them from 4th to 1st quartile.

Hani is a former Lucent Technology Company engineer and has been a senior executive for over a decade, winning multiple awards from across the world for transformation. Through his work, he has managed spend of over $20 billion and saved organisations billions of dollars. Transformation is where he thrives, taking STC Procurement from 4nd to 2nd quartile in 3 years.

He’s a graduate of King Saud University with a degree in Telecom Engineering and a real passion to change the world through people.

Scott Leeb, Corporate Lead, Knowledge; Director of Knowledge Management, Iknow

Scott Leeb has over the past 25 years created, managed and grown the global business intelligence/knowledge management programs at four Fortune 500 companies (Prudential Retirement, The McGraw-Hill Companies, KPMG and Ingram Micro), a leading law firm (Fragomen) and an international philanthropy (The Rockefeller Foundation). In 2011 he served as President of SCIP. He is currently on the faculty of the University of Johannesburg (South Africa), the Universiti Utari Malaysia and the University of Maryland (USA).

Scott has spoken in Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, North and South America on a wide range of topics including competitive intelligence, business intelligence, market intelligence, strategy and knowledge management. He began his career as a senior intelligence analyst for the US Army, specializing in East Asian political-military affairs. Scott holds MAs from The Australian National University and Columbia University, a BA from Yale University and a language certificate from Beijing University.

Reem Alharbi, Head of LinkedIn KSA
https://www.linkedin.com/in/reemmohammad/

Reem heads LinkedIn’s operations in KSA. Since joining the company in 2016, Reem’s main responsibility has been to connect and work with the highest levels of government and private executives to make meaningful impact and drive revenue and business growth. Her role now sees her working closely with the various public and private sector stakeholders to tackle pressing issues such as employment and national strategies.

Reem started her career in Dubai with Eye of Dubai then moved to Saudi to lead the marketing and communications with Eye of Riyadh company.

Reem speaks three languages and has over ten years of experience in various multinational corporations such as Ernst & Young, Rosewood Hotels & Resorts, and Dur Hospitality where she led the rebranding plan. Hailing from Saudi Arabia, she has a wealth of international experience in organizing and marketing global events across the US, Asia, Africa, Europe and the Middle East, an example being leading the participation of the Middle East & North Africa in the Global Entrepreneur Awards at Monte Carlo.

Reem started her career in the fields of marketing and communications, where she honed her skills in strategy planning and business development. She was awarded the MENA Female Role Model award for her stellar contributions to the business and her role in developing young talent.

Reem earned her Bachelor degree in Business dministration and Marketing from the University of Dubai. She is an avid chess player and is a member of the animal rights community.

Dr. Maliha Hashmi, Executive Director & Deputy Sector Head for Health & Wellbeing Sector, NEOM

Dr. Maliha Hashmi is the Executive Director and the Deputy Sector Head for the Health & Wellbeing Sector at NEOM, where she also served as the Executive Director for all Strategic Partnerships. Dr. Hashmi also serves as a Leading Expert & Council Member for the Prestigious Global Future Council on Health & Healthcare at the World Economic Forum.

Dr. Maliha Hashmi has held Executive roles in various sectors and globally renowned organizations and is a well-known name in the region for health & wellbeing.

Dr. Maliha Hashmi received her Doctorate and Master’s Degrees from Harvard and MIT. Dr. Maliha Hashmi is listed as one of the top 20 women in the Nation in the United States of America for her achievements making it into the Who’s Who in America List.

Je Myung Ryu, Senior Digital Development Specialist, The World Bank

Mr. Je Myung Ryu is now working at the World Bank as a Senior Digital Development Specialist at the Digital Development Global Practice. Before joining the World Bank since August 2018, he served as Director General of Radio Policy Bureau at the Korean Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT), where he oversaw 5G spectrum auction (June 2018), digital switchover, and general spectrum management. He also served as Director of Telecommunications Service Policy Division and Software policy division.

During his more than 20 years of career in the government, Mr. Ryu acquired wide-ranging expertise in the field of ICT policy by working at the Ministry of Information and Communication (MIC), the Korea Communications Commission (KCC), President’s Office and at the MSIT. Mr. Ryu also played an active role in international affairs. He used to work as Counsellor at the Permanent Delegation of Korea to the OECD in Paris and had served as a bureau member of the OECD Working Party on Indicators for the Information Society and the Working Party on Communications Infrastructure and Services Policy.

He earned a Master’s degree in information systems management from Carnegie Mellon University, and a B.A. in Politics from Seoul National University.

Zaki Khoury, Senior Digital Development Specialist , The World Bank

Dr. Zaki Khoury is a Senior Digital Development Specialist at the World Bank. With his extensive expertise in Emerging Markets and in harnessing technologies for development, he is currently helping governments in advancing their data-driven digital economy, providing thought leadership on enabling policies for digital infrastructure of the future (e.g., AI, Data Driven Development, 5G); and supporting selected operations in the MENA and Africa regions by operationalizing the MENA TECH and the Digital Economy for Africa initiatives. Previously a Senior Technology and Strategy Advisor, he contributed to the Digital Development Partnership (DDP) setup at the World Bank, worked on Digital Economy Country Diagnostics / Assessment, and provided technical and analytical support to shape new Investment projects in digital development. He remains an active contributor to the flagship work on AI for Development.

Prior to joining the World Bank, he has over 20 years of successful track record with experience in public and private sector, Strategic Partnerships in the ICT Industry, consultancy and operations management in International Development. He previously led Microsoft cooperation with International Organizations / World Bank in Worldwide Public Sector, managed the business operations in Gulf, and supported Public Sector digital transformation across emerging and new markets.

A trendsetter with a growth mind-set, Dr. Khoury authored and spoke extensively on issues of Digital transformation, Disruptive Technologies, Digital Development. As a recognition of excellence, he is the holder of the IIE Opening Minds Corporate Leadership Award, Microsoft Goldstar Award, and Young Canadian Researcher Award. He has recently chaired the working group on Governing Artificial Intelligence in less-developed countries at 2019 World Government Summit and advises regularly for emerging technologies start-ups.

Dr. Khoury holds a PhD in Planning (Montreal), MSc. in Economics (London), and BSc. in Engineering (Alexandria). He has also continued his executive education in Business (Harvard) and Management (McGill).

Issam Abousleiman, Country Director of the GCC Countries, Middle East and North Africa, The World Bank

Issa Abousleiman has been the Country Director of the GCC since August 1st, 2018.

Mr. Abousleiman, a Lebanese national, joined the Bank in 1989. His most recent assignment was Country Manager of Colombia in the Latin America and Caribbean Region. Having started his career at the World Bank in the Loans Department, he has since held various positions across the institution, including Head of Financial Advisory and Banking at the World Bank Treasury and Principal Investment Officer in the Banking & Debt Management Department. His regional expertise includes Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America and the Middle East regions.

Mr. Abousleiman is a graduate of the Harvard University Executive Management program, and holds an MBA in finance and investment from George Washington University, as well as an MBA in management from the American University of Beirut. He is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA).

EY

Official Consulting Partner

https://www.ey.com

EY is a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services. The insights and services we deliver help build trust and confidence in the capital markets and in economies the world over. We develop outstanding leaders who team to deliver on our promises to all of our stakeholders. In so doing, we play a critical role in building a better working world for our people, for our clients and for our communities.
EY has been recognized as a global leader in disruptive technology including intelligent automation and robotic process automation, and is a strategic partner to companies across the ecosystem. EY is one of the world’s largest users of RPA, and in addition to helping organisations to implement Intelligent Automation to drive business benefit, EY provides managed services and bot control rooms to support our clients.
The MENA practice of EY has been operating in the region since 1923. For over 90 years, we have grown to over 7,500 people united across 21 offices and 16 countries, sharing the same values and an unwavering commitment to quality. As an organization, we continue to develop outstanding leaders who deliver exceptional services to our clients and who contribute to our communities. We are proud of our accomplishments over the years, reaffirming our position as the largest and most established professional services organization in the region.

Google Head of Public Policy, Middle East and North Africa Selim J. Eddé |
Eddé develops and leads public policy campaigns across the full range of policy areas that impact Google and the web. Key issues include technology innovation, economic development and intellectual property.
A passionate public policy leader, Eddé is a thought leader on building innovation programs with governments and has a particular expertise in labor markets, entrepreneurship and job creation initiatives. Mr. Eddé advised governments in MENA and Africa, providing strategic programs and was previously the Vice President of Government Affairs at SAP, setting strategy, devising and implementing plans Government Relations at SAP in MENA. Formerly, Selim was the Country Development Officer at Cisco, and Senior Regional Lead at Hewlett-Packard and IBM.
A frequent speaker at regional and international events, with appearances in the specialised media, Eddé graduated from Imperial College-London with a masters degree in management sciences. He is married with two kids and lives in Dubai.

Dr. Ibraheem Sheerah worked as a Mechanical Design Engineer, Project manager, Program Manager, PMO Manager, P3O Director, Business Support Director, Corporate Control Director, Sales & Delivery Consultant and included in several leadership positions. He has established many organizations.

Dr. Sheerah has more than 20 years of experience in defense, security, healthcare, agriculture, Transportation, privatization, Technology, PPP projects, and retailing industries

Dr. Sheerah is a seasoned and successful leader with a track record of producing, presenting and managing the implementation of innovative business solutions.

Fahad Alhagbani is a 22yr veteran of the fitness industry. He has co-founded two of the largest fitness businesses in the Middle East, including Fitness Time, the 15th largest global fitness club chain. After taking his previous company public in September 2018 he moved on to launch Armah Sports Company, where he serves as co-founder and CEO, and the new concept of “smart clubs”, which will transform the market and become a hub for technology and innovation in the global fitness industry. Fahad is also a member of REX (Roundtables for Executives), a worldwide group of club owners who meet regularly to exchange insights, critique business performance, and discuss future industry disruptions.

Mr. Majed Garoub is the Founder & Chairman of The Law Firm of Majed Garoub and the Saudi law Training Center in Saudi Arabia. With more than 25 years of experience as a legal practitioner, Mr. Garoub has advised and represented an expansive list of public and private entities in legal consulting and dispute resolution.

Mr. Garoub is a former legal advisor to the Saudi Arabian Olympic Committee and several sports federations including the Saudi Arabian Football Federation, and has held various leadership positions in major organizations, such as the Legal Committee at FIFA, the Union Internationale des Avocats (UIA), and the Advisory Committee on Arbitration at Saudi Ministry of Justice. He has been awarded a special Appreciation Certificate from the Saudi Supreme Judicial Board and the Chevalier de l’Ordre National du Merite by the French government for his continuous efforts in serving Global Justice.

Mr. Garoub is an advocate for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), and has contributed to various national initiatives promoting CSR through the Saudi Law Training Center.

Mr. Garoub has participated as a speaker in various international forums discussing legal governance around the themes CSR, quality of life and technologies.

TracticaTractica

Media Partner

tractica.com

Tractica, an Informa business, is a market intelligence firm that focuses on emerging technologies. Tractica’s global market research and consulting services combine qualitative and quantitative research methodologies to provide a comprehensive view of the emerging market opportunities surrounding Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, User Interface Technologies, Advanced Computing, Connected & Autonomous Vehicles, and Wearables & Digital Health

World CSRworld

Media Partner

worldcsrday.com

The World CSR Day (www.worldcsrday.com) is guided by Leaders…. Leaders who believe in the value of Sustainable CSR; that which is built in the fabric of business – making it a reality. Leaders produce Leaders will be a common thread uniting nations and people who take CSR more responsibly. They also believe that CSR is a tool to the Development of the Future. Leaders, Professionals, CSR Practitioners, CEOs, Sustainability Experts and Media honchos in different parts of the world will help in spreading the message of World CSR Day. Let’s Unite the World with the Spirit & Energy for conscious CSR.

Cyber Defense Magazine

Media Partner

cyberdefensemagazine.com

Cyber Defense Magazine is by ethical, honest, passionate information security professionals for IT Security professionals. Our mission is to share cutting edge knowledge, real world stories and awards on the best ideas, products and services in the information technology industry

Plantautomation Technology

Media Partner

plantautomation-technology.com

In the realm of Plantautomation, where innovation is rapid, Plantautomation technology stands adept at conceptualizing unique ideas relevant to the B2B space.

Plantautomation-Technology is essentially a B2B online business and technology media platform that has under its wraps the largest global database of Plantautomation buyers and suppliers.

Plantautomation-technology.com covers in-depth trends that shape industry dynamics and metamorphose global economics.

With services like search engine optimization, social media marketing, product video showcase, e-mail marketing, e-newsletter sponsorship, banner advertising, event marketing and micro-website within our platform, Plantautomation- Technology has created a recognition that spans over a global audience, thereby revolutionizing how businesses transact.

Eye of Riyadh

Media Partner

eyeofriyadh.com

Eye of Riyadh is one of the leading companies in MENA with an experience of more than 15 years that is operated by an expert from the region.

Eye of Riyadh provides professional and effective direct and digital marketing strategies for events and campaigns by managing and support major events and campaigns through organizing, creating professional communication strategies, identifying the right target audience and securing sponsors.

Eye of Riyadh’s extensive and competence database reaches national and international role figures in decision making.

ICOHOLDER

Media Partner

icoholder.com

ICOHOLDER company is a smart tracker, global analytics platform with the largest crypto database, giving institutional and retail investors access to real-time, high-quality, reliable market and pricing data. As a market data provider we offer a comprehensive, holistic overview of the market and crypto trends. We produce: cryptocurrency trade data, order book data, blockchain and historical data, social data, reports, audits, crypto reviews and a suite of cryptocurrency indices. Our mission is to make the crypto industry more transparent.

CryptoNewsZ

Media Partner

cryptonewsz.com

CryptoNewsZ is a News Publication Media that provides updates on cryptocurrency, ICOs, DApps, and blockchain. As more and more people turn to cryptocurrencies every passing day, we cater high-quality, unbiased and well-analyzed content to them. We cover the latest news, price analysis and interviews for the crypto community.

Cognilytica

Media Partner

cognilytica.com

Our media partner Cognilytica is an analyst firm that provides real-world, industry and adoption focused market research, intelligence, advisory on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and related areas. Cognilyitica also produces the popular AI Today podcast that discusses relevant topics related to AI and ML and interviews thought leaders in the field.

ICOHOLDER

Media Partner

icoholder.com

ICOHOLDER company is a smart tracker, global analytics platform with the largest crypto database, giving institutional and retail investors access to real-time, high-quality, reliable market and pricing data on 2,600+ coins, 22k ICOs, 6235 events, etc. As a market data provider we offer a comprehensive, holistic overview of the market and crypto trends. We produce: cryptocurrency trade data, order book data, blockchain and historical data, social data, reports, audits, crypto reviews and a suite of cryptocurrency indices. Our mission is to make the crypto industry more transparent.

Teletimes International

Media Partner

http://www.teletimesinternational.com/

Teletimes International, a premier business publication focused towards the Telecom, Satellite and ICT sectors of the Middle East, Asia and Africa, proactively leverages knowledge and insights from executives and decision makers. In its 14th year of publication, Teletimes is media partner to almost all major events and conferences in these regions.

Envisioning a scholarly publication, Teletimes actively participates in high profile industry events, seminars, conferences and exhibitions to provide the latest research, analyses and developments to its readers. Teletimes has achieved a qualitative edge by capitalizing on the age-old need for information.

Hackology

Media Partner

https://hackology.co/

Hackology.co is the portfolio site for Hackology Internet Security Portal , A hobby project turned into array of services ranging from latest Tech News to in-depth Blockchain reviews, Tech Analysis, Cyber Consultancy, PoCs and everything digital. Hackology Blog blog.drhack.net provides latest internet and Cyber security news while covering / providing a technical write-up so every topic is properly covered, Cryptocurrency and Blockchain guides and reviews with detailed analysis so you make the right move. Ask Techie! helps you in solving your Tech issues, no matter how complicated they may seem. Encrypted Paste provides a unique paste service where all pasted data is even encrypted from the server thus keeping your data
private

Bitnews Today

Media Partner

https://bitnewstoday.com/bitnewstoday

Bitnewstoday.com is an international media company providing daily news from the world of cryptocurrency. We publish the articles for readers interested in bitcoin, blockchain, mining, cryptocurrency investing and deliver market analytics for professionals. We cover the most important events and problems, the recent legislative changes and cryptocurrency regulation.

Our goals:

* to provide a full range of information on how cryptocurrency functions
* to keep you updated with the latest news
* to make forecasts and find the trends
* to deliver training materials

All the necessary information is presented on our website:

* news
* analytics
* interviews and reviews
* opinions and forecasts
* cryptocurrency exchange rates
* feed of events
* additional services
* tips for beginners

Telecom Review

Media Partner

http://www.telecomreview.com/telecomreview

Telecom Review is the leading B2B publication in the telecommunications sector in the Middle East. Telecom Review which is a Trace Media International publication has enjoyed unprecedented success in the telecommunications industry in the GCC region. Telecom Review enjoys a close working relationship with all the leading operators in the Middle East, Asia Pacific and African markets and has earned a stellar reputation for providing first-class content. Telecom Review also has print publications in North America and a French/Africa edition – whilst it also has a dedicated website for all the telecommunications news in the Asia Pacific region. In addition to our print publications Telecom Review also boasts one of the largest databases in telecoms industry with its weekly e-newsletters blasted to over 60,000 leading executives from the industry.

TestCrew

Official Testing Partner

https://thetestcrew.com/thetestcrew

TestCrew is a leading software testing services Saudi company that offers a comprehensive set of independent software testing services to our global clientele in an exceptionally efficacious manner. We strive to offer the best and most cost-efficient services to our clients in a time-bound manner.

While our team indulges in finding even the minutest anomalies and errors in the software functionality, user-interface, performance and other aspects, we ensure that they follow an end-user-oriented approach. Our team applies the perspective of the end users to the software usage, and ensure that the software and apps perform in an ideal manner.

We follow the QA best practices; ensure visibility, hands-on approach and lucid documentation. Furthermore, our expertise oriented professionals work collaboratively with clients to deliver the desired results much faster and in a highly cost-efficient way.

Wakeb

Strategic Partner

http://www.wakeb.tech/wakeb.tech/

We are highly specialized in Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Cognitive computing and more .. Wakeb Co. established to be cutting edge IT company located in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Data science technologies, services, consultations and more are offered at Wakeb, highly experienced team equipped with power resources to make your success story real.

ICO Crunch

Media Partner

http://icocrunch.io/http://icocrunch.io/

Several years ago development of the Blockchain technology led to an explosive growth of investments into cryptocurrency and the idea of decentralization itself. Thousands of entrepreneurs and teams from different industries around the world developed their own projects based on their vision of how to use Blockchain to make the world better, and the number of projects keeps growing every day. Some of them may become a new Ethereum, some are apparently weak, and some may even turn out to be fraudulent. Which project to choose for investing to be confident the money will return with a profit? Our goal is to answer this question.

ICOCrunch is an independent research team of experienced analytics and IT specialists. We are permanently searching for worthy projects we would invest our own money to, and we do invest because we are enthusiastic about cryptocurrency the same as you. We post a new project analysis daily to keep you up-to-date. Each decision to select a particular project to post is collegial, so you are protected from a biased opinion

Blokt

Media Partner

https://blokt.com/https://blokt.com/

blokt was founded in 2017 by Greg Adams, a crypto enthusiast, with a background in security, web journalism, media and marketing. After building an extensive list of contacts in the blockchain space, Greg put together a team that would later become essential to blokt’s success.Whether you are interested in blockchain, security, or any of the various cryptocurrencies, we have content that will keep you informed, safe, and guide you through the complex processes involved in using cryptocurrencies.

Our news section features breaking stories from the crypto world, and thanks to our proprietary TrendSpotter software, our editorial team has access to potential scoops and story opportunities before they hit the news.

Cyber Defense Magazine

Media Partner

http://www.cyberdefensemagazine.com/

Cyber Defense Magazine is by ethical, honest, passionate information security professionals for IT Security professionals. Our mission is to share cutting edge knowledge, real world stories and awards on the best ideas, products and services in the information technology industry.

Crowd Reviews

Media Partner

https://www.crowdreviews.com

CrowdReviews is a transparent online platform for determining which products and services are the best based on the opinion of the crowd. The crowd consists of Internet users which have experienced products and services first-hand and have an interest in letting other potential buyers their thoughts on their experience. CrowdReviews.com is driven by an algorithm allowing for both customers and providers of products and services to understand how the rankings are determined. The service can be used by potential buyers to learn more about their vendors prior to making a purchasing decision.

biometric Update

Media Partner

https://www.biometricupdate.com/

BiometricUpdate.com is the leading news property that publishes shareable breaking news, analysis, and research about the global biometrics market. We provide the most original reporting and market research in the sector, vis-a-vis the Web and an exclusive daily newsletter, that focuses on global developments in biometrics technology, including: fingerprint identification, voice, iris, and facial recognition, civil and criminal ID and video surveillance. Our news coverage places special emphasis on national security, privacy and regulatory issues, along with examining the latest applications and advances in biometrics. Our global audience of 600k+ readers includes original equipment manufacturers, service providers, governments, law enforcement agencies, corporate buyers and industry professionals.

DETASAD

Networking Sponsor

https://www.detasad.com.sa/

DETASAD (Detecon Al Saudia Co. Ltd.) is an end-to-end ICT solution provider and a leading contributor to ICT sector of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with a track record of 37-years.

DETASAD offers tailor made solutions in Corporate Networks & Connectivity Solutions, ICT Deployment and Infrastructure Solutions, Managed Services, Data Center and Cloud Solutions

to public and private sector clients enabling their Digital Transformation and unlocking value. The DETASAD offering covers all aspects from scoping, planning and design, end-to-end supply implementation and integration up to 24/7 operational support and maintenance of the offered products at highest quality standards.

Proven Consult

Strategic Partner

https://provenconsult.com/wakeb.tech/

Proven Consult was established as a solution to the missing digital competencies companies were experiencing. Since its’ conception in 2013, the company has expanded internationally, from Saudi Arabia to the UAE and India.

The expertise of Proven Consult supports companies in adapting to the fast-paced market by offering innovative solutions to big data, business process transformation, robotic process automation, and IT. Proven Consult focuses on enhancing companies’ digital capabilities, assisting them in becoming digitally ahead of their competition.

Qvest Media

Strategic Partner

https://www.qvestmedia.com/wakeb.tech/

Qvest Media is a world-leading systems architect, consultant, ICT integrator, and developer of software products in the innovation-driven media industry. The company’s range of services is aligned to the challenges of an increasingly digital media value chain such as multi-platform content delivery, artificial intelligence, big data analysis, multi-cloud management, IP infrastructures, and cyber security. Qvest Media’s clients include numerous renowned media networks, telecommunication providers, broadcasters, as well as companies and organizations from the industrial and public sector. In addition to the headquarters in Cologne and Dubai, Qvest Media operates eleven further locations in Europe, the Middle East and Southeast Asia.

Ubiqube

Silver Sponsor

https://ubiqube.com/wakeb.tech/

UBiqube delivers integrated automation through Orchestration Continuum. Our MSActivator ™ DevOps framework emulates an orchestration continuum over any entity, any vendor and any physical or virtual domain for an end-to-end automation workflow design and process management.

The MSActivator makes automation of the networking and security continuum -physical and virtual- easy. A multi-tenant, full life cycle orchestration framework designed for the new networking paradigms.

MSA is used by telcos and large enterprises for end-to-end service orchestration over hybrid, virtualized (SDN/NFV) and legacy networking and security communication infrastructures interconnecting the clouds.

As the virtualization paradigm hits the networking industry, UBiqube aims at leading the associated next generation ‘Management and Reporting Software’ space and ease the multi-vendor, multi-technology orchestration for telcos and enterprise IT managers, while disrupting the ‘high price tag’ legacy OSS vendors practiced so far.

Our goal is to ease the secure consumption of multi-vendor networking and security technologies – for every application needing it, and without any vendor lock-in.

GlobalSign

Strategic Sponsor

https://www.globalsign.com

GlobalSign is the leading provider of trusted identity and security solutions enabling businesses, large enterprises, cloud service providers and IoT innovators around the world to secure online communications, manage millions of verified digital identities and automate authentication and encryption. Its high-scale Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) and identity solutions support the billions of services, devices, people and things comprising the Internet of Everything (IoE).

MBUZZ

Gold Sponsor

https://www.mbuzz.com.sa

MBUZZ is a leading ICT Company – established in 2007. Our head office is in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and we have a geographical presence throughout the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and Europe. MBUZZ provides solutions in the areas of Data Center, Telecom, SDN & NFV, Cyber Security, Artificial Intelligence, and Internet of Things. We utilize our unique business engineering capabilities to develop new business models aimed at solving challenges, generating new opportunities and improving existing business processes and portfolios to meet the market trends.
MBUZZ culture circles around respect, accountability, ethics, and moralities. Our Employee’s value others time, views, skills, and contributions and treat everyone with the utmost respect and dignity.
Management has fostered a family environment where customers, employees, and shareholders work as one team.
Progressive and innovative thinking coupled with meaningful engagement with customers is the only way forward to deliver success.

MBUZZ

Official CX Partner

http://www.silah.bh/

Headquartered in the Kingdom of Bahrain, Silah Gulf is a leading, multi award-winning Customer Experience solutions provider. Launched in 2009, as a joint venture in the Middle East by Bahrain’s Government and UK-based Merchants (Dimension Data), Silah has operations in Bahrain, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.
With a unique mix of tools, expertise and a proven track record of over 35 years in the industry, we deliver end-to-end customer experience solutions for our clients. We are experts in driving innovation and take a consultative, yet pragmatic approach with real-world operational experience. Offering a full spectrum of services, we advise companies on how to transform their customer experience infrastructure, provide specialist training and certification, deploy high-tech solutions, as well as handle the running of the entire customer service operations.
Being in the service industry, we are passionate about our people and take pride in what we do. Our ability to attract the best talent, coupled with our rich history of success and innovation across different industries, is what sets us apart from our competitors.

Ramez currently heads the IT Department of the The Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition and owns more than 15 years in information technology and of exceptional track record in handling high-end projects as well as leading teams to operate and support infrastructures and systems solutions. He has experience in IT management & strategic planning with high project management skills in different IT business fields.

Reem heads LinkedIn’s operations in KSA. Since joining the company in 2016, Reem’s main responsibility has been to connect and work with the highest levels of government and private executives to make meaningful impact and drive revenue and business growth. Her role now sees her working closely with the various public and private sector stakeholders to tackle pressing issues such as employment and national strategies.
Reem speaks three languages and has over ten years of experience in various multinational corporations such as Ernst & Young, Rosewood Hotels & Resorts, and Dur Hospitality where she led the rebranding plan. Hailing from Saudi Arabia, she has a wealth of international experience in organizing and marketing global events across the US, Asia, Africa, Europe and the Middle East, an example being leading the participation of the Middle East & North Africa in the Global Entrepreneur Awards at Monte Carlo.
Reem started her career in the fields of marketing and communications, where she honed her skills in strategy planning and business development. She was awarded the MENA Female Role Model award for her stellar contributions to the business and her role in developing young talent.
Reem earned her Bachelor degree in Business Administration and Marketing from the University of Dubai. She is an avid chess player and is a member of the animal rights community.

THURAYA

Gold Sponsor

https://www.thuraya.com

Thuraya, is the mobile satellite services subsidiary of Yahsat, a leading global satellite operator based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), fully owned by Mubadala Investment Company. Established in 1997, Thuraya offers innovative communications solutions to a variety of sectors including energy, government, broadcast media, maritime, military, aerospace and humanitarian NGO.
Thuraya’s superior network enables clear communications and uninterrupted coverage across two-thirds of the globe by MSS, global VSAT coverage and around the world through its unique GSM roaming capabilities. The company’s diverse range of technologically advanced and dependable mobile satellite handsets and broadband devices provide ease of use, value, quality and efficiency. Through relevant partnerships, Thuraya stays ahead by delivering solutions and supporting applications that meet the rapidly transforming nature of market demands. Thuraya remains committed to keeping everyone within reach in any circumstance by making accessible the essential tools required for vital connectivity.

SMASHI TV

Television Partner

https://smashi.tv

SMASHI TV is a business news network streaming live from the heart of the Arab world, covering the most innovative products, services and technologies changing our lives. SMASHI is a mindset, it’s for the driven, the dreamers and the doers.

سماشي أول قناة إعلامية اجتماعية تخاطب العالم العربي عن كل ما يتعلق بالتجارة والأعمال و ثقافة و تقنية

Aumenta Solutions

Augmented Reality Partner

http://www.aumentasolutions.com

Aumenta Solutions provides Augmented/Virtual Reality applications for Industry 4.0.
Working with the latest AR/VR devices, tablets and Smartglasses we provide solutions to unresolved issues with conventional technologies, increasing productivity and efficiency in key business processes.
Aumenta Solutions has a team of professional and highly qualified technology partners who offer the best Augmented Reality solution for your business.

VERINT

Gold Sponsor

Verint is “The Customer Engagement Company.” We help organisations simplify and modernise the way they engage customers through their contact center, branch, back office and marketing departments. Our market-leading broad portfolio of cloud and hybrid solutions is designed with the latest artificial intelligence and advanced analytics technologies to deliver greater automation and shared intelligence that drives real business impact. Verint is your partner to make customer engagement a strategic advantage and a strong competitive differentiator for your organisation. With over two decades of experience helping more than 10,000 organizations worldwide create lasting value, we’re a global leader in customer engagement.

TAIBAH VALLEY

Knowledge Partner

https://www.taibahvalley.com.sa/en/home/

TAIBAH VALLEY aims to leave positive change for the Future by providing the best solutions, programs, and initiatives . Our values are uniqueness in innovation, creativity, and distinction

Rob is excited by Industry 4.0 and the disruptive impact of emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain, Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality and 3D Printing on the future of work and society.

He launched School of Disruption to help organizations overcome disruption and lead transformation in their industry, and offers keynotes, workshops & 10-week innovation sprints to reprogram the corporate immune system.

Rob is an ExO Trainer & Ambassador with a decade experience building and leading customer-centric digital strategies for some of the biggest brands in Europe and the Middle East, lastly as a department head at Al Tayer Retail – the largest luxury retailer in the GCC.

Gary Thompson is the co-founder and senior partner of Rokaboat Continuum, a management consultancy based in the UAE covering the GCC region, focused on transforming business through automation and digitization delivering efficiency and positive engagement across the customer journey – external or internal – from need to fulfilment. While we represent the full width of functional expertise a business contains, Gary leads our advisory services to executives and managers responsible for Business Support, Shared Services and Outsourcing.

In a career spanning over three decades, he has been both client and consultant across a range of global and regional organizations in the Middle East, Europe, Asia and Africa. He has worked with various family-owned businesses, banks and Semi-Government organizations; uplifting the performance of business support, operations and enablement through using transformation and digitization to break down the barriers of silo-mentality and employee resistance. He is currently working on a number of strategic assignments driving innovation, engagement, ownership and customer-centricity through advanced automation and cultural change in the region.

Gary gained his Fellowship in the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants in the UK and is a regular Speaker, SME panelist and Workshop Lead at Business Support Automation and Performance Excellence Conferences in the Middle East, Africa and Europe.

Abdulrahman A. Alolayan’s investment and business experience is a combination of theory and practice. He holds a Ph.D degree in Business Administration. His research interests include Investment, Entrepreneurship, and Strategic Management. Currently, Dr. Alolayan is the founding CEO of Taibah Valley, emerging tech and innovation hub in Madinah.

Talal Tabbaa is the Co-Founder and COO at Jibrel Network, a blockchain platform for the tokenization of financial assets. Jibrel Network successfully conducted a 30 Million token sale out of Zug, Switzerland in 2017. Talal led Jibrel’s efforts with Al Hilal Bank, where they executed the world’s first Sukuk transaction using blockchain and smart contracts. Prior to co-founding Jibrel, he was a Senior Management Consultant at Pricewaterhouse Coopers UAE and managed a private investment fund in Saudi Arabia. By education, Talal is Industrial Engineering from Purdue University.

Arwa Althagafi recevied BSc in Computer Science, MSc in Information Systems Managment and PhD in Information Systems from the University of Sheffield. As a technology- oriented scientest, she worked on number of projects that aimed at consulting, analysing, desinging, developing and evaluting IS applications in the area of IoT solutions.Currently, she is a IoT lab director at Taibah Valley, where analysing the best practise of IoT lab strategy, developing an innovative product, arranging resources,up-skilling and cross-skilling the IoT professionals skills development.

Abdulrahman A. Alolayan’s investment and business experience is a combination of theory and practice. He holds a Ph.D degree in Business Administration. His research interests include Investment, Entrepreneurship, and Strategic Management. Currently, Dr. Alolayan is the founding CEO of Taibah Valley, emerging tech and innovation hub in Madinah.

Finesse

Networking Partner

Finesse is one of the most trusted software system integrator, enabling digital transformation for global financial institutions & enterprises by focusing on the design, deployment and maintenance of business-critical applications. Finesse delivers customized solutions & services tailored to the unique demands of each of their clients in the BFSI, Healthcare, Retail, Infrastructure, Energy, Education, Pharmaceuticals, Aviation, and Government domains. Finesse offer solutions & services for Business Intelligence & Analytics, ECM, GRC, CPM, RPA, Blockchain, Core Banking, Treasury & Capital Markets, Mobile Banking, Real Time Fraud Management and Intelligent Automation among others. Finesse assists more than 250+ enterprise clients across the world in their digital transformation journey. Around 120+ financial institutions, including 80% of the banks in UAE are referenceable clients for Finesse.

Currently acting as Executive DG – Customer Experience & Digital Transformation at the Ministry of Labor and Social Development. Formerly General Manager of Digital Transformation in STC Channels one of STC group subsidiaries. He leads a talented team of marketers to build one of the best e-commerce platforms. Previously Abdulaziz was the General Manager of Category Marketing in Sale Advanced Company.
In 2012, He was Chosen to build the Media Center in Ministry of Labor, a challenging task to form a team responsible of Media Relation, Public Relation, Media Reports & Editorials, Events, Production, Media Monitoring, and New media Department.
Prior to joining Ministry of Labor in Jan, 2013 Mr. Abdulaziz was the Director of marketing communications & PR in STC – Al Jawal (Mobile Sector) one of the largest integrated telecom companies in the Middle East. He was leading the marketing communication team responsible of all Mobile advertising. His role puts him in the front line dealing with all above the line & below the line material as he is also in charge of all PR activities including events, sports and youth activations. Marketing communications strategy is one of his duties in addition to all Mobile advertising including marketing plan, strategy, and execution. Before joining STC in 2005, Mr. Abdulaziz has 8 years of marketing and telecom experience where he used to manage the projects department in AwalNet one of the biggest internet and “managed services” provider in KSA.
Mr. Abdulaziz holds an Associate degree in Electronic Engineer from Spokane Community College (2001- Spokane, USA) in addition to a degree in Industrial electronics technology (1996 – Riyadh, KSA).

Prof. Ahmed Banafa has extensive experience in research, operations and management, with focus on IoT, Blockchain, Cybersecurity and AI. He is a reviewer and a technical contributor for the publication of several technical books. He served as an instructor at well-known universities and colleges, including the Stanford University, University of California, Berkeley; California State University-East Bay; San Jose State University; and University of Massachusetts. He is the recipient of several awards, including Distinguished Tenured Staff Award, Instructor of the year for 4 years in a row, and Certificate of Honor from the City and County of San Francisco. He was named as No.1 tech voice to follow, technology fortune teller and influencer by LinkedIn in 2018 by LinkedIn, his researches featured in many reputable sites and magazines including Forbes, IEEE and MIT Technology Review, and Interviewed by ABC, CBS, NBC,BBC, and Fox TV and Radio stations. He is a member of MIT Technology Review Global Panel. He studied Electrical Engineering at Lehigh University, Cybersecurity at Harvard University and Digital Transformation at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). He is the author of the book “Secure and Smart Internet of Things (IoT) using Blockchain and Artificial Intelligence (AI)”.

Hans Henrik Christensen – Entrepreneur, Board member, Investor and Director of Dubai Technology Entrepreneur Centre , the largest technology entrepreneur center of its kind in the Middle East housing 790 Tech start-ups and incubators, labs and accelerators.
Nominated Mentor of the year 2017 (Arabian Business).
Hans, holds a BA in Economics and Finance from Bentley University, and an MBA from Hult International Business School.

Cyrus Hodes is Vice-President and Director of the AI Initiative, which he co-founded in 2015 within The Future Society at the Harvard Kenney School. The Future Society brings together a wide range of global stakeholders to study, discuss and help shape the governance of AI. Hodes and the AI Initiative are engaged in various international policy platforms (OEDC, EU, HKS Forums, Japanese MIC, French Parliament, etc.) as well as AI ethics and safety initiatives. He also manages several projects using innovative tools, such as the Global Civic Debate and its multilingual collective intelligence platform on the governance of AI, and works at using AI and Machine Learning to tackle policy issues. In addition, Hodes is a member of the Policy, Well-Being and General Principles committees of the IEEE Global Initiative for Ethical Considerations in Artificial Intelligence and Autonomous Systems. He holds a MA from Paris II University in Defense, Geostrategy and Industrial Dynamics and a MPA from the Harvard Kennedy School. Moreover, he is passionate about drastically disruptive technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence, robotics, nanotech, biotech, genetics, IT and cognitive sciences as well as their cross-pollination and impacts on society.

Fiorenzo Manganiello is a professor of Blockchain Technologies at Geneva Business School and First Vice President of Banque Profil de Gestion, a Swiss private bank.
With an entrepreneurial mindset, he was awarded as Blockchain Expert Switzerland for 2018 by Acquisition International. He is fluent in five languages and has a distinguished academic background, having studied at IMD, London School of Economics and Luiss Business School. He is an invited speaker at CNBC, CNN, and international finance journals. He is also a writer for Forbes.

In his current role as founder and managing partner of Ebtikaar, a transliteration of the Arabic word for ‘Innovation’, a boutique innovation consultancy, Petar specializes in applying the Scientific Method to tackle business challenges in government- and corporate-sector innovation and entrepreneurship.
At the government level, Petar is working across a number of key initiatives in the flagship Accelerator program for the SHERAA Sharjah Entrepreneurship Centre, an initiative under the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority SHUROOQ, along well as a recent collaboration with the Emirates Youth Council Entrepreneurship Task Force to develop the 2017 Strategic Framework for Emirati Entrepreneurship, developing the strategies to engage, encourage and empower young Emirati Entrepreneurs to consider a career in entrepreneurship. His speciality in using experiential learning to accelerate deep learning outcomes of adaptive skill sets has culminated in his work as a facilitator in the acclaimed Dubai EXPO 2020 Apprentice Program.

With an experience of over 15 years in IT and a strong background in Computing, Al-Aama continues her pursuit in the participation of the technological advancement of her country, Saudi Arabia. As previous Vice Mayor for IT in Jeddah, she was the first women to hold a leadership role in IT in a Saudi governmental agency. She lead the team that digitally transformed Jeddah Municipality from a paper-based work environment to a world-class digitized environment, resulting in the Municipality winning over 20 prestigious awards and accreditations in IT, including Best Arab e-Government.
Through her technology expert house Smart Solutions, Al-Aama served as a Technology Consultant to the Saudi Minister of Economy & Planning and to the Minister of Hajj & Omrah.
Al-Aama holds an MSc. & DSc. in Computer Science from George Washington University and has published several scientific papers. She also attended extended learning in new technologies (e.g. Blockchain), Leadership & Strategy at Harvard & Oxford Universities. She also received several awards, including a Microsoft research award, the national Saudi ITC achievement award, the Informatics Expert award from the Arab Towns Organization, the Arab Women Leadership Award, and the Microsoft Arabia Most Distinguished Faculty Member Award.
Al-Aama also served as Vice Dean for the College of Computing & IT at King Abdulaziz Uni., head of the women’s CS and IS Departments, and an IT consultant for the conglomerate Savola. Al-Aama also holds a position as Professor of Computer Science at KAU and is a member of the External Advisory Boards for the Colleges of Computing in Um Al-Qura, King Saud and Prince Mugren Universities.
Al-Aama served on several national committees, including the Executive Committee for Saudi eGovernment, the National Smart City Committee, the National Digitization Committee, the National Science and Technology Planning Committee, and the Steering Committee for Women Labor Issues & Economic Development.

Dr. Ayad Aldaijy is a senior IT and executive leader, and a subject matter expert in cyber-security. He has a wealth of 27+ years of experience in leadership and advisory roles in reputable local and global organizations.
Dr. Aldaijy received the PhD degree in information technology from George Mason University, Virginia, USA, in 2003. He received his B.S and M.S. degrees in information systems from George Washington University, Washington D.C., in 1988 and 1990 consecutively. Dr. Aldaijy won “the Catalyst 2018 – Best Government CIO”, in the GCC region, and had been speaking on major regional and international conferences on technology and cyber-security developments.

Director of Technical Branches Department from 2016 to 2018 in Ministry of education.
Director of the Department of Computer and Electronic Transactions Saudi Cultural Attaché in Ireland during the period from 2012 to 2016 .
Assistant Director General of Information Technology and project manager of electronic correspondence (Rassell) at the Ministry of Higher Education during the period from 2006 to 2012 .
Founding member and consultant in the National Center for e-learning and distance learning at the Ministry of Higher Education since its inception until 2007.
Director of the project (distance learning) in girls colleges during the period from 2003 to 2006 .
Director of the General Department of Computer and Information Agency Girls Colleges during the period from 1998 to 2006.

Currently oversee and guide Abdul Latif Jameel’s Group overarching digital strategy to ensure seamless integration of digital efforts. Responsible for crafting and managing various digital experience platforms including Artificial Intelligence, e-Commerce, Cloud Integrations, Web, Mobile, and process optimization throughout the organization. Career of 20 years of experience in several leadership roles including Digital Transformation, IT Director, Customer Service Leadership, and PMO. With diverse experience in executive leadership, technology background and customer service.

Dr.Moudhi Aljamea currently is the General Manger of the ICT School at STC Academy ( Saudi Telcom Company) as the first Saudi women who occupies an executive position in the company. Dr. Aljamea has a PhD in Computer Security Algorithms Design from King’s College London, and a vast experience in cyber and information security. Prior joining STC, she was the president of entrepreneurship unit and business incubator and an assistant Professor in cyber security at Imam Abdurrahman Bin Faisal University, and considered as one of the Saudis experts in the computer security field.

An accomplished technology executive with a proven track record for building and leading world-class software projects reaching outstanding results.

•       Earned reputation in Saudi market for quality products and service delivery with excellence in business execution and cost optimization by prudent management of people, technology and processes.
•       Proven ability to reduce budgets in excess of SAR250 million to SAR7 million (-82%); align technology strategy with corporate strategy; set business and group goals; and lead large teams to achieve project goals and exceed client expectations.
•       Built IT startup in 1996 gaining soft and hard skills, then pursued education to the Masters of Information Systems while leading multiple public and private organizations with remarkable success.
•       Started working on extra-curriculum interests and ideas (in “LEED” green concepts & Graphene) in 2015 while working with multiple organizations as an IT Consultant.

Esam Alwagait is an associate professor at the College of Computer and Information Sciences (CCIS) in King Saud University (KSU) and he has a collective experience of around 20 years in IT. Before joining NDU, Alwagait was the Deputy Minister for Technical affairs at the ministry of foreign affairs. He worked in the ministry of higher education as the supervisor for technology. He was also the Dean of E-Transactions and Communications and Also the Dean of E-Learning and Distance Education Deanship at KSU. Alongside those positions, Dr. Alwagait is the chairman for Saudi Computer Society. Dr. Alwagait’s research interests are focused on Social Media and Data mining. He has several publications about Twitter-related issues in the middle east region and Saudi Arabia in General.

Dr. Fatmah Baothman is an Assistance Professor of Artificial Intelligent (AI) at King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah. Dr. Fatmah’s AI dissertation is AI application in “phonology-based automatic speech recognition for Arabic.” Which was awarded in 2003 with distinction from University of Huddersfield; School of Engineering and Computing; West Yorkshire, England. She signed Intellectual Property (IP) rights for her advance AI research. Early in her academic tenure, Dr. Fatmah was pivotal in establishing women’s Department which is the foundation of the Computer Science College at KAU; and became its first TA faculty member. In collaboration with King Abdulaziz City of Science and Technology, Dr. Fatmah contributed to the National IT Strategic Plan. She reengineered the IT Center and proposed programs which resulted in establishing the e-University at KAU. Another of her achievements, Dr. Fatmah managed the AI e-Learning “Global Class Room” project in collaboration with national and international institutions led by Zurich University. She sat up its infrastructure, managed its technology platforms in the Kingdom and was a key AI lecturer. Her accomplishment led to her appointment as Saudi Director of E-learning Researcher Program in Dubai where she designed the Intelligent GCC E-learning Platform. She became an advisor for King Abdullah Economic city- educational sector, also the representative to IEEE Congress R8. She became the chairwoman of the prestigious IEEE Women in Engineering Western Region, established the KAU IEEE chapter for women and the President of Women Engineers Committee at Women Engineers Committee at “Saudi Council of Engineering” western region. She held the position of General Manager IT Security with a joint venture American company. Dr.Fatmah gained nine trophies, a gold medal and several letters of recognition for her input on different occasions.

Founded TechInvest in 2015 to provide an opportunity for Middle East investors to obtain exposure to private investment opportunities in the technology sector. Techinvest advised and structured several deals in early, growth and late stage VC totaling over $600m in money raised. Over 21 years’ experience in global business development, with expertise and specialization in the IT and VC field. Initiated and executed targeted strategies to facilitate joint ventures, partnerships, startups, account generation and public listings of holdings in several capital financial markets including NASDAQ, KSE and DIFC. As CEO of Sakhr Software, he received 3 US patents from US PTO office for Sakhr’s proprietary technologies. Played key role in founding 1st Saudi Arabia ISP AWalNet which was acquired by STC in 2006. Developed the first Multilingual Speech to Speech app ‘S2S’, Language Buddy launched on the App Store in 2009 and was one of the first adopters of “The Cloud”. Initiated and supervised the transformation of the 30 year old family IT business company and publicly listing the company on KSE in 2006 under the new name Al Alamiah Technology Group ATG.
Fahad is on the Advisory Board of the Annual Investment Meeting (AIM) in the UAE, which is the premier foreign direct investment-focused event and an initiative of the UAE Ministry of Economy. Fahad is also a consultant at the Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority, KDIPA. Previously a Board Member and subsequently Chairman, of Al Mal Investment Company, which is listed on the Kuwait Stock Exchange, and served on several boards including ATG, Saftec, AwalNet. Fahad serves as a director on the Board of CODED, the First Coding Academy in the GCC, which educates and trains participants in software development and programming using world-class curriculum and instruction by industry experts. The Kuwait-based company is aimed at young men and women across MENA, with engagement on Barmej.com (CODED’s online school) exceeding 150,000 coders (and future entrepreneurs).

William (Bill) Kalin is an expert in homeland security with over 20 years of successfully providing international homeland security subject matter expertise. Mr. Kalin has focused on developing policies, strategies and identifying and implementing new and emerging technologies for international border security systems, C4ISR networks, aerial and mobile surveillance systems. For the past 2.5 years, Mr. Kalin has provided the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Ministry of Interior and the NEOM project assessments and analysis on leading edge border security technologies, strategies and policies. Mr. Kalin’s management and consulting services have been employed for over 20 years by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) and the DHS Chemical and Biological Detection unit. In addition, Mr. Kalin has lectured on behalf of the U.S. Department of State (DOS) in their International Visitor Leadership Program on Crisis and Disaster Management to global leaders. Mr. Kalin also serves on the DOS Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) in the Middle East.

Craig Smith is Chief Executive Officer of Dhahran Technology Development Company, operating the world’s largest advanced Research Center devoted entirely to the Energy industry, overseeing all aspects of the Dhahran Techno Valley Science Park. Previously, Craig led the Emerging Technologies group at US Department of Energy’s Sandia National Labs, specializing in Renewable and Sustainable Energy Research, Cyber Security and Information Technologies.
Craig advises universities and businesses across Asia and the Middle East on launching start-ups and spinoffs and is a frequent mentor and judge for global business competitions. Craig is advisor to the USPTO, World Intellectual Property Organization, Brazilian Institute of Industrial Property and the IP Office of Singapore on energy issues and Intellectual Property Rights in World Energy Markets.
Craig serves on several Boards including the College of Engineering Sciences at King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, the California Invention Center and Licensing Executives Society, Silicon Valley, where he was Chairman of the Board in 2015-16. He is Chairman of Innovation and Commercialization for the Middle East Process Engineering Conference (2017-2019) and member of the Executive Committee for the International Petroleum Technology Conference (2020). Craig was Licensing Executives Society International’s Distinguished Fellow from 2015-2017.
Craig holds an MBA in International Finance from Golden Gate University in San Francisco, studied Cleantech Economics at UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business, Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Stanford University Graduate School of Business and US Energy Policy at the Brookings Institution, Washington D.C.

iSQI

Certification Partner

The International Software Quality Institute (iSQI) Group, with offices in Potsdam (Germany), Gorinchem (The Netherlands), London (UK) and Boston (USA), is a leading provider of certification examinations all over the world.

For more than 10 years, iSQI plays a significant role in certifying the know-how of IT professionals in over 100 countries on 6 continents in 10 languages. With over 30,000 certifications per year, iSQI paves the way for successful career development.

Constantly changing job requirements generate a demand for lifelong learning. To stay competitive in today´s job market, professionals need to possess comprehensive and comparable skills and knowledge. The iSQI ‘Certified’ Program includes certification examinations that set the global standards in Software Testing, Requirements Engineering, Agile, Business Analysis as well as Usability and User Experience UX, AI, IOT etc.

iSQI examinations are supported by a global network of accredited training providers. iSQI’s ISO 9001 compliance is the independently confirmed guarantee for its business partners that all contracts are fulfilled in a secure and high-quality manner. Its ISO 17024 compliant certification processes meet all strict requirements in the day-to-day business practice.

Osman Sultan CEO of Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company, (du) in the UAE As the founding CEO of Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company (du) since 2005 in the UAE, and the founding CEO of Egyptian Company for Mobile Services (Mobinil) in Egypt from 1998 to 2005, Osman Sultan set during the course of his career several strategies translating the profound transformations that the telecom and information sectors have been creating in our lives. As an influential figure and a mentor in the telecommunications sector, he is proud to have groomed close to 20 talented individuals who became CEOs of various operations across all continents. Osman Sultan is a visionary leader and a notable public speaker in the field. His distinguished achievements ranked him as one of the most powerful executives in the telecoms industry in the world twice on “GTBPower100 List” in both 2010 and 2011. Osman Sultan brings 35 years of leadership, rich with achievements in the telecom business. His vast knowledge and expertise in the field as early as the pre-internet period, placed him as one of the pioneers in France, Europe, the USA, Japan and the entire MENA region.

Eng. Majed Mohammad Alshodari is Certified Chief Information Security Officer & Certified Digital Business Transformation Officer. Also, licensed MCI IT Consultant No.13525 has over 19 years of international professional experience at both the senior management and technical hands-on in holding, contracting, banking, supply chain, Oil & Gas, real-estate, construction, insurance, automotive, and investment services industries in addition to real time systems and digital transformation once come to the support services (IT, GA, PR, Finance, Procurement, and HR) along with other business departments from IT and business perspectives.
His main aim is providing companies with Information Technology insight, enabling businesses, guidance securely and leadership that will foster a successful business decision-making platform using the right set of IT portfolios.
His solid experiences and strong qualifications give him excellent opportunity to be a great executive leader for the following roles: Information Technology, Information Security, Digital Business Transformation, and Industrial Technology.

Achievements:

* First Saudi awarded as the BEST CISO in the world for 2018 Finalist
* First Saudi awarded as Transformation Program Manager “Transformation Program Management”
* First Saudi instructed Certified CISO course in SA

Certifications:

* Certified Chief Information Security Officer
* Certified Chief Digital Business Transformation Officer
* Certified Transformation Program Manager
* Certified IT and Telecommunication Consultant/Directo
* another 26 technical and leadership certificates in different business and IT domains

Chaineum

Media Partner

chaineum.com

Independent boutique investment bank, founded in 2015, Chaineum is exceptionally experienced and exclusively focused on the transformational sectors of disruptive technologies. Tokenization is a revolutionary new vehicle for entrepreneurs seeking funding. We believe in decentralization and see tokenized market as a trillion-dollar opportunity. Advisory & services: ICO, STO, DSO*, fundraising, capital raising, corporate finance, M&A

International Finance

Media Partner

International Finance is a premium financial and business analysis magazine, published by UK’s International Finance Publications Ltd.

With a discerning focus on emerging markets, International Finance provides news, analysis and commentary from a range of industry experts, contributors and writers. The editorial team’s endeavour is to address economic and business developments, and provide engaging, informative and factual content everyday. The magazine and website has a growing readership in Middle East, specifically in UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman and Kuwait, as well as select African nations. International Finance has started making inroads into Asia as well, with a rising readership in Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Srilanka, Thailand, China and Taiwan. International Finance is subscription-based and reaches a wide variety of C-level executives and leading decision-makers in key markets. As a leading media services provider, clients enjoy maximum visibility through vibrant outreach exercises that include print and online advertisements, print and online advertorials, newsletter promotions, exclusive media visibility partnerships in key markets, and acknowledgement of corporate excellence.

UnlockUnlock

Media Partner

Unlock is a platform that provides information, intelligence, insights and news pertaining to the Blockchain sector. We are one of the cornerstones in the evolution of the Blockchain ecosystem in the MENA region and globally. We encourage Blockchain’s disruptive innovation through our support of startups, investors, developers, and clients. Our main services entail media, events organization, advisory, PR, roadshows and community building.

Danilo McGarry is one of the most reputable voices in the RPA domain; as CitiGroup’s ex Head of Ai for Capital Markets, he is now one of UnitedHealth Group’s Head of Automation (the worlds 13th largest companies and largest healthcare provider). He has successfully ran RPA/Ai programs in multiple industries and countries (Financial Services, O&G, Private and Public sectors, as well as Healthcare). For Citigroup (as Head of Ai for Capital Markets) and as Senior Management in Automation for UnitedHealth Group, Danilo has driven 2 of the world’s largest, most lucrative and successful automation programs in the corporate world – involving teams from more than 20 countries, budgets into the triple digits (millions) and savings into the triple digit (FTE).

Originator of the Industry 4.0 and Digital themes today. Best known as the originator of the “4th Industrial Revolution” (Industry 4.0) and the mastermind of the European Digital Revolution (German Digital Agenda), which ignited the global themes of today. As the inaugurator of Germany’s digital agenda in 09, he ignited a global wave of national and corporate digital strategy adoptions.
Named by Financial Times as one of the leading authority on strategy and competitiveness. One of the most influential business thinkers, who has set the agenda for nations and the fortune 100 companies.
He is notorious for his personal involvement to define the core differentiating, competitive aspects and to identify how to innovate and where to transform.

Previously one of the Heads of Artificial intelligence & Machine Learning at CitiGroup (3rd largest US bank, 17th largest Financial institution globally). Currently senior management of Automation (RPA/Ai) in UnitedHealth Group (largest healthcare company in the world. Ranked #5 on the Fortune 500). Member of the European Union Commission Ai Alliance.
Total US$ saved to date: through Automation (RPA, Ai) & Re-Engineering Programs participated or managed: US$ 248 million (.est)

“First Saudi Awarded as the best CISO in the world of the year 2018 Finalist. Also. First Saudi CCISO instructor in SA.”

He is Certified Chief Information Security Officer & Certified Digital Business Transformation Officer. Also, licensed MCI IT Consultant No.13525 has over 19 years of international professional at both the senior management and technical hands-on in holding, contracting, banking, supply chain, Oil & Gas, real-estate, construction, insurance, automotive, and investment services industries in addition to real time systems and digital transformation once come to the support services (IT, GA, PR, Finance, Procurement, and HR) along with other business departments from IT and business perspectives.

His main aim is providing companies with IT insight, enabling businesses, guidance securely and leadership that will foster a successful business decision making platform using the right set of IT portfolios.

Expertise in IT Digital Transformation, Information Assurance, Risk Management, and Cybersecurity.Specialties: Cyber Security, Requirements Engineering, Information Technology, Risk Management,Planning, and Leadership.
Sultan leads and oversees all activities aimed at developing Cybersecurity measures in CMA, providing business stakeholders with information assurance services, including defining business and security requirements.

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Time	Conference Program
10:00	Meeting Room Opens
10:05	Welcome remarks Organiser Asmae Hamidi, Portfolio Director, Great Minds Event Management
10:10	Opening remarks from Chairman Yousef Khalili, General Manager & Head of Global Digital Government Practice, NXN
PANEL SESSION 1: Market overview - GCC government digital transformation in the time of Covid-19
10:15	Looking at Covid-19 pandemic impact on the public sector and how it has changed its services and operations Overview of recent and future government initiatives to accelerate digitalisation transformation, build digital economies, and implement a robust post-crisis recovery plan Role of the lockdown in accelerating digitalisation of the public sector Exploring key emerging technologies enabling digitalisation of government services and operations Panelists: Edmond Tehini, Chief Executive Officer, Infosysta Laila Al Hadhrami, Director of Digital Transformation Director of Building Capacity- Oman Smart City Platform, Ministry of Technology and Communication, Sultanate of Oman Dr. Mahmoud Alhader, Asset Information Section Head, Al Ain Distribution Company – AADC, United Arab Emirates Mohammad Altura, Chief, IT Sector, Communication Information Technology Regulatory Authority (CITRA), Kuwait
11:00	Utilising Multi-Cloud solutions to build public sector’s resilience Omar Bou Kheir, Public sector lead, Nutanix Nutanix is a leading Enterprise Cloud provider. In this session you will learn why organisations need to modernise their data centers and embrace the cloud. Through research, we know that 85% of organisations in the UAE believe that hybrid-cloud is the optimal operating model and a fundamental step in the digital transformation journey.
11:15	Technology innovation session: This session will highlight key emerging technologies that cater to the government sector. The session consists of four (10 min) back-to-back technology case study presentations from experts in the industry who will provide insights on successful application of a variety of innovative intelligent digital solutions. 11:20 Virtual data fabric – foundation of digital economy Alexey Sidorov, Data Management Director, Chief Evangelist, Denodo 11:30 Industry insight: The new normal for secure access after Covid-19 Danna Coronel Bethlehem, Director Product Marketing, Identity & Access Management, Thales 11:40 The new normal: digital governments and smart cities Helmi Judeh, Head of Sales Middle East, TAIGER Aarti Sreenivas, Business Development Manager, TAIGER
PANEL SESSION 2: Technology review - Capitalising on key emerging technologies to enhance public service for individuals and businesses
11:50	Utilising biometrics ID systems and digital identification technologies to overcome authentication challenges, ensure information security and simplify customer digital access Adopting latest AI, machine learning and intelligent process automation technologies to enable e-engagement and interaction with customers and improve end-to-end experience e-Payment: Developing effective and trusted digital payment platform for government services Panelists: Adib Tayeb Al Madani, Head of Smart Services Section, Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, United Arab Emirates John Davies, Executive Director of Pervade Software, Co-founder & Chair of the Cyber Wales Ecosystem, Wales Mohamed Alaisah, Head of IT Division, Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority, United Arab Emirates Mohammed Shouli, Head of Portals and e-Government Division, Queen Rania Center for Information Technology, Jordan
PANEL SESSION 3: Technology review – Innovative and intelligent solutions to enable efficient government operations
12:30	Developing efficient and secure public authorities’ access to necessary customer information to reduce service complexity and delivery time, improve quality, and increase customer satisfaction Utilising advanced computing and data analytics to support government leaders in taking informed decisions and improve public service The cloud computing controversy: how can the public sector capitalise on cloud benefits without compromising information security? Panelists: Abdullah Al-Muaiqel, Director - Products and Shared Services, Yesser eGovernment Program, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Alaa Mahjoub, Former Data Management Senior Expert, Abu Dhabi Department of Transport Bassel Kassem, UAE Country Manager, Nutanix Mohamed Almadhani, Policy & Standards – Senior Expert, Abu Dhabi Digital Authority – ADDA, United Arab Emirates
13:15	Closing remarks by Chairman and end of Digi-Conference Yousef Khalili, General Manager & Head of Global Digital Government Practice, NXN

Primary	Free of charge
Solution Provider	200 USD + 5% Tax 210 USD

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