DP World new initiative targets coders

DUBAI : DP World, a leading provider of worldwide smart end-to-end supply chain logistics, has chalked out plans to develop the capabilities of more Emirati and international talent including coders, developers and engineers. 

The initiative is part of the company’s overarching strategy to deploy industry-leading technology to broaden its vision of a digitised, more efficient, transparent and resilient post-Covid world trade. The company currently employs more than 300 coders, developers and engineers. 

The announcement coincides with the UAE celebration on October 29 to honour coding and programming professionals, under the slogan ‘UAE Codes’. That date marks the launch of the first electronic government in the region 20 years ago on October 29, 2001 by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. 

The “UAE Codes” day is one of the initiatives of the National Programme for coders, which aim to build and maintain UAE’s Digital Economy. DP World is a pivotal partner in the programme. The day celebrates the role played by coding and programming professionals in advancing the nation’s vision for the growth and transformation of the IT sector. 

Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and CEO, DP World, said: “We believe that to stay ahead of the curve, we should constantly upgrade our systems, as digitization has revolutionised the way we do business. DP World continues to invest in new technologies and disruptive innovation, always seeking the edge that will help us lead the future of world trade. Excellence in coding and programming represents an essential impetus of innovation, creativity and economic prosperity. 

“We enable trade around the world and keep it flowing, creating and embracing the latest technologies and innovations. And for ports and logistics operators like us, the key now is to further maximise efficiency, making sure innovations coming on stream can lower costs, increase productivity and move goods quicker and more cost-effectively than before”.

Maha Al Qattan, Chief People Officer at DP World, said: “We have been creating new tech solutions that help trade move around the world. We see ourselves as a tech company, as much as a global trade enabler. Our industry-leading technology team has been very active in digitising the global supply chain”. 

The initiative represents a significant boost to achieving the objectives of the ‘National Programme for Coders’ to train and attract 100,000 programmers and create 1,000 major digital companies within five years. The programme enables technology entrepreneurs, businesses and startups to participate in advancing digital transformation in various key sectors. 

Dr Mohamed Rahmah, Vice-President, Zodiac, represents DP World in the programme. He said: “In September, we organised a hackathon and around 8,500 coders registered in the ‘Crack the Code’ challenge. A total of 85 participants won. We have also been working closely with Samsung SW Academy for Youth to enhance the digital skills of young talent”. 

The challenge was to design, implement, test, deploy and maintain innovative software solutions to transform service performance, durability, cost, and security. It was also intended to use software engineering best practices to ensure a high standard of quality for all of the team deliverables, write high quality distributed system software and work in an agile, startup-like development environment. Participants were given the opportunity to autonomously deliver the technical direction of the service, and the feature roadmap. 

The Dubai Government-led initiative supports nationwide efforts to attract a new generation of programmers and coders to the country, in line with the UAE’s growth strategy and the Fifty-Year Charter.