The grant will see the company’s Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) and Mindsphere software used for academic and institutional purposes to develop the skills required to drive the country’s digital transformation. Kaeser made the announcement at the opening ceremony of the first Global Manufacturing and Industrialization Summit (GMIS) in Abu Dhabi. To implement this, Siemens partnered with AIESEC, the world's largest non-profit student-run organisation.

“Contributing to knowledge transfer and developing local skills has always been a top priority for Siemens. This grant underscores our commitment to supporting the UAE’s ambitions for a diversified and flexible knowledge-based economy powered by skilled Emiratis and world-class talent,” said Kaeser.

Siemens is a founding partner of GMIS where it will showcase technologies for the full digital enterprise, cyber security, energy optimisation, industrialized 3D printing and product lifecycle management. For the first time in the Middle East, Siemens will also introduce Mindsphere, its open, cloud-based Internet of Things (IoT) operating system for industry, which helps businesses turn data into knowledge for measured success.