Week in Review
Week Five in Review: iktva, Aramco Digital, and a longtime leader steps down
On the first day of the iktva Forum and Exhibition, deals were signed, announcement were made, and winners were revealed.
The seventh iktva Forum and Exhibition proved to live up to expectations, with a bevy of winners being named, some major signings announced, and the launch of Aramco Digital Company.
Here’ a look back at some of the highlights of the fifth week of 2023.
Seventh iktva Forum and Exhibition takes center stage
Aramco signed over 100 agreements and Memorandums of Understanding, valued at approximately $7.2 billion to help advance a diverse, sustainable and globally competitive industrial ecosystem at the 7th edition of the In-Kingdom Total Value Add (iktva) Forum and Exhibition.
Held under the theme of “Accelerating Future Success,” the forum highlights collective localization efforts in key focus areas including Digital, Sustainability, Industrial, and Manufacturing.
The program achieved 63% local content in 2022, up from 35% in 2015, when iktva was originally launched.
Perhaps the biggest was the announcement of Aramco Digital, which Aramco executive vice president of Technical Services Ahmad A. Al Sa’adi called “a great example of such innovation in action.”
In addition to the speeches and presentations, a number of important signings were announced, as well as winners of the annual iktva awards.
In announcing Aramco Digital, Aramco president and CEO told those gathered at the 7th iktva Forum and Exhibition at the Dhahran Expo: “The purpose of Aramco Digital is threefold: to reinforce our leadership position in energy industry AI; to drive digital innovation across wider Saudi industry; and to grow the Saudi digital economy through a network of partnerships, projects, and joint ventures.”
Nasser added that the company plans to invest nearly $2 billion over the next three years, making it the company’s biggest investment in digital to date.
Built on a unified and scalable digital infrastructure, the company will serve as an accelerator for growth in the Kingdom and the world by relying on partnerships to curate innovative business solutions.
Reflecting on a career of ‘can do’
Yousef A. Al Ulyan, former senior vice president of Information Technology, offered a little advice to those starting out on a journey that lasted 37 years for him.
“No matter what you do to prepare, there will always be things you don’t anticipate,” Al Ulyan said. “But if you have a dedicated team, you can do anything.”
Adding that those who succeed are team players, he said employees should also: “Trust the people you work for and work with. No one wants to fail you. Believe in your supervisor; believe in your manager.
“Know that are truly doing the best they can for you,” he added.
Aramco prepares for hybrid endurance race at Ras Tanura
The Aramco community will soon have an opportunity to test their strength, endurance, stamina, and determination at a brand-new world exclusive fitness race in Ras Tanura.
Designed by the famous Spartan and Tough Mudder endurance-sports brands, the Desert Challenge consists of 10 obstacles and 10 fitness stations laid out over a 5-kilometer course along Ras Tanura’s Najma beach and into the community. The challenge event is open for Aramco employees, dependents, and retirees.
The Desert Challenge will be held on Saturday, Feb. 18, at Ras Tanura’s Surf House. To learn more to register, click on the title above.
Dhahran Little Leaguers: Let’s win two!
It had been nearly four years since youngsters from the Dhahran Youth Baseball Association had competed internationally. This past week, squads returned to Dubai to compete again.
It was worth the wait.
The Saudi Hawks won 8U and 12U championship games at the Dubai Winter Classic, an international Little League baseball event held annually in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Teams from Hong Kong, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, and the UAE came together to compete during the tournament, which was from Jan. 20-22.
“We are thrilled that regional tournaments are once again an option for our players,” says DYBA president Glenn K. Makechnie. “It’s invaluable for player development, but even more importantly, it binds our baseball community together.