DUBAI: Top female IT and business students from Higher Colleges of Technology –Dubai (HCT-Dubai) Women's Campus and Zayed University have taken part in an intensive coding and networking event specifically designed to boost knowledge and inspire creativity. Over 80 students took part in the first ever SAP® CodeJam sessions held in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, which focused on brainstorming and gaining hands-on experience of the SAP HANA® platform, a pioneering in-memory computing technology. SAP CodeJam events are structured to engage budding developers with innovative technology, and to develop essential skills to succeed in the local job market. Both SAP CodeJam events were hosted by universities that are members of the SAP® University Alliances program, a global initiative that provides experience of key SAP technologies, and puts theory into practice through demonstrations, case studies and research. “Having an awareness of the capabilities and potential applications of SAP HANA, and indeed SAP as a whole, has been very interesting. SAP CodeJam is all about developing a passion for innovation, creativity and problem solving — all of which are essential in any line of work. I have definitely gained a lot of insight that I can build on for my future career," said Jawahir Mohammed, a Management Information Systems student at Zayed University. Shaika Ali Al Attar, an IT and Business student at HCT-Dubai, was similarly impressed: “SAP CodeJam is a powerful event that really supports our development of essential skills and knowledge. The idea of combining technology with creativity is something I really believe in, and will certainly inspire me as I pursue a career in the local IT industry," she said. Ann Rosenberg, global head of SAP University Alliances, said: “The level of inspiration and enthusiasm has been extremely high, and it is very satisfying to witness the students brainstorm, collaborate and create ideas for real business scenarios. MENA is at the absolute forefront of SAP's global ambitions and, judging by today's showing, there is plenty of talent in the region that will play a starring role in making them a reality." Identifying and nurturing talented youngsters is fundamental to SAP's MENA growth plan. Key components to up-skilling local talent include the UAP, which currently counts 31 members across MENA (incorporating 1747 students and 201 trained lecturers), Dual Study Education (a two-year university-based development program) and the Mawared program, a three month boot camp for young professionals/graduates aiming to become professional SAP consultants. “SAP CodeJam events are yet another standout example of how SAP is committed to supporting talented young people in the region," said Marita Mitschein, senior vice-president, Strategic Investments, and managing director of the Dubai-based SAP Training & Development Institute. “Our ability to truly succeed and meet market demand cannot transpire without continual interaction with the workforce of the future, whether they are destined for employment at SAP, within our ecosystem, or at companies that can benefit from our services. SAP HANA is a breakthrough technology for us, and it is hugely encouraging to experience how these remarkable students are equipped with capabilities to solve concrete problems facing businesses and even society as a whole. All of today's SAP CodeJam participants are destined for great things, and SAP is proud to play its part in helping them on their way." Deployable on premise or in the cloud, SAP HANA is a revolutionary real-time platform on which real-time applications can be developed and deployed. In the market since June 2011, the technology has enabled many customers worldwide to speed up business processes by as much as 100,000 times or more. BN
