Makkah Clock Royal Tower, a Fairmont Hotel has joined forces with the Prince Sultan College for Tourism and Management in Jeddah, part of the Alfaisal University, on a pioneering program that aims to provide top-notch hospitality training and internship and employment opportunities for Saudi students.
In a recent agreement, both organizations pledged to allocate their respective resources to support the development of students by combining classroom theory with practical application in the workplace.
Spearheaded by Shakeel Habeb, dean of the college, and Abdulaziz Eid, GM, Makkah Clock Royal Tower, A Fairmont Hotel, this partnership aims to develop a strong educational curriculum that equips graduates with in-demand skills and knowledge, while cementing the hospitality sector as both a major contributor to the country’s economy and as a top employer of Saudi nationals.
“The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities anticipates that in the coming years the tourism sector will emerge as a true economic powerhouse, employing more than 926,000 people and surpassing more than SR70 billion in earnings — around 6.5 percent of the Kingdom’s GDP,” explained Eid. “Given these facts, it is incredibly important that we work closely with educational institutions to develop a prepared and qualified work force that can meet the growing needs of this expanding sector.”
This initiative comes at a time when Makkah Clock Royal Tower, a Fairmont hotel is aggressively recruiting and developing local talent across the organization. Lauded as a leading employer of Saudi men and women, this year the hotel celebrated one of its exceptional Saudi colleagues Mohammed Sharaf, who was named the young hotelier of the year at the Hotelier Middle East Awards held in Dubai.
“Sharaf’s notable achievement is a reflection of Makkah Clock Royal Tower’s commitment to nurturing the professional growth of its team members through programs that focus on empowering Saudi nationals,” Eid added.
Fairmont Makkah supports top-notch training program
Fairmont Makkah supports top-notch training program
PwC Middle East and Sirar by stc’s CISO500 program advances cyber leadership
The fifth edition of the CISO500 program ran from Feb. 8-12. Delivered in partnership between PwC Middle East and Sirar by stc, the program featured five intensive days of rich discussions and hands-on practical experiences, aimed at strengthening leadership capabilities in cybersecurity and keeping pace with rapid technological transformation.
The program is designed to develop the capabilities of executive cybersecurity leaders and enhance their strategic role in supporting organizations’ digital transformation. It equips participants to address contemporary challenges in the cyber landscape and expand their influence within decision-making ecosystems.
Yasser Al-Swailem, CEO of Sirar by stc, said that the program represents an important step toward strengthening the readiness of cyber leaders in the region. He noted that the CISO500 program is a fundamental pillar in the journey toward building a secure and trusted Saudi cyberspace aligned with national ambitions. He added that investing in national cybersecurity leadership is no longer optional but a strategic necessity for ensuring sustainable digital development. The program reflects a commitment to empowering national talent to lead the digital security landscape according to the highest global standards.
He further emphasized that such initiatives contribute to strengthening digital security ecosystems and enabling organizations to confidently and sustainably address future challenges.
Samer Omar, cybersecurity and digital trust leader at PwC Middle East, added: “CISO500 is a long-term investment in Saudi leadership. Over the past year, we’ve seen how bringing together senior Saudi cybersecurity professionals in a structured executive environment accelerates capability, builds confidence and deepens collaboration. As the program enters its second year, our focus remains on equipping Saudi CISOs with the strategic perspective and technical depth required to secure the Kingdom’s digital ambitions.”
The program addressed a range of advanced topics, including common cyber transformation pitfalls, mechanisms for securing enterprise digital transformation, and cybersecurity budgeting and financial governance. These topics enhanced leaders’ ability to translate cyber risks and security investments into financial indicators that support executive decision-making.
It also covered the latest technological developments, particularly artificial intelligence, emerging technologies, quantum computing, and the protection of critical and operational infrastructure. Emphasis was placed on the importance of security governance for AI technologies and strengthening enterprise-wide risk management perspectives associated with them.
The program adopted an interactive learning methodology combining strategic discussions, collaborative work, and creative practical exercises, contributing to a deeper understanding of concepts and enabling their translation into applicable organizational practices.
Abdullah Al-Asmari, global cybersecurity director at the Saudi Research and Media Group and one of the program participants, said that the experience added significant strategic and practical value: “The program provided a rich experience that strengthened the leadership perspective of cybersecurity, particularly in linking technical practices with strategic and financial dimensions within the organization. It also offered valuable space for exchanging expertise on emerging technologies such as AI and quantum computing, and the challenges of securing critical infrastructure. This experience enhances cyber leaders’ ability to adopt a more influential role in supporting digital transformation and enabling decision-making based on a comprehensive understanding of risk and value.”
He added that the program facilitated the exchange of insights on emerging challenges and strengthened the ability to align cybersecurity with institutional objectives and executive decision requirements.
Participants said that the program constituted a valuable professional and knowledge-driven experience that enhanced the readiness of cyber leaders to keep pace with rapid digital transformation, reinforcing cybersecurity’s role as a strategic enabler that supports innovation while preserving business trust, reliability, and sustainability.
