Intelligent CIO Middle East Issue 37 | Page 93

////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// INTELLIGENT VERTICAL: EDUCATION MICROSOFT PARTNERS WITH KIDZANIA TO EMPOWER CHILDREN TO BE FUTURE-READY Microsoft Kuwait is working with KidZania Kuwait to enhance the IT skills of youngsters in the country. K idZania Kuwait, the kid-centric metropolis, has joined forces with Microsoft Kuwait in an initiative to empower children to achieve more through building their technology skills. The partnership with Microsoft is the first of its kind for KidZania and aims at equipping children with digital and soft skills that would prepare them for the jobs of tomorrow. The partnership was celebrated at a special ceremony held at KidZania in the presence of KidZania Kuwait’s management team and Microsoft’s official representatives in Kuwait. The collaboration is based on the shared vision of KidZania and Microsoft to inspire children by immersing them in real- www.intelligentcio.com life scenarios, that are both educational and entertaining. Research reveals that by 2030 – and while automation replaces today’s lower-skill jobs – the fastest-growing occupations will require a higher-level of cognitive skills in areas such as collaboration, problem-solving, critical thinking and creativity. While KidZania continues its mission of helping children get ready for a better world, Microsoft will prepare them for their future workplace skills with the help of its solutions and innovations to build digital literacy. Microsoft has been at the forefront of Digital Transformation in the classroom by “ MICROSOFT HAS BEEN AT THE FOREFRONT OF DIGITAL TRANS- FORMATION IN THE CLASSROOM BY DELIVERING NEW APPROACHES TO LEARNING. INTELLIGENTCIO 93