Microsoft Arabia and NITA Launch First Datacenter Academy in the Middle East
Microsoft Arabia and the National IT Academy (NITA) have announced the opening of the first Microsoft Datacenter Academy (DCA) in the Middle East, located in Saudi Arabia. This two-year training program aims to develop students' datacenter skills, enhancing their employability in technical roles and supporting the Kingdom's economic diversification.
The announcement was made during the LEAP 2025 event in Riyadh. The academy seeks to strengthen the national workforce, support Saudi Arabia's digital transformation, and contribute to making the Kingdom a global hub for datacenters and innovation, in line with Vision 2030.
The launch follows closely on the heels of Microsoft's progress in developing its datacenter region in Saudi Arabia, with the construction of three Azure Availability Zones expected to be available in 2026. This project is poised to transform the local cloud market, estimated to grow at a rate of 23.4% to reach $3.9 billion by 2027.
The academy's training includes global certifications in areas such as artificial intelligence, data analysis, automation, cybersecurity, and datacenter infrastructure management. Students will have the opportunity to obtain a certificate or diploma upon completing the program.
Zainab Alamin, Vice President of Digital Transformation at Microsoft Arabia, emphasized that the initiative aims to support local talent and prepare professionals for the challenges of digital transformation in the AI era.
