IBM furthers commitment to climate action through the University of Sharjah and free training in green and technology skills

 IBM furthers commitment to climate action through the University of Sharjah and free training in green and technology skills

• New sustainability projects include collaboration with the University of Sharjah (UAE)
• Training: IBM SkillsBuild launches roadmap of sustainability courses to benefit learners across communities underrepresented in technology and address market need for green and technology skills

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, November 24, 2023 – Ahead of COP28, IBM announced the latest investments in its effort to advance environmental sustainability through its social impact programs. A new set of environmental initiatives, including a partnership with the University of Sharjah, are pioneering water solutions that will be scaled through the IBM Sustainability Accelerator to benefit local communities across the United Arab Emirates. Simultaneously, a first-of-its-kind roadmap of sustainability skills courses, available for free through IBM SkillsBuild, will empower future climate action.

The University of Sharjah will build a model and application to monitor and forecast water access conditions in the Middle East and North Africa, to help support communities in arid and semi-arid regions with limited renewable internal freshwater resources.

“Our commitment to climate action is unwavering, and through our partnership with the University of Sharjah, we are empowering communities, fostering innovation, and addressing the urgent need for green and technology skills. Together, we are not just adapting to climate change; we are shaping a resilient and sustainable tomorrow,” said Shukri Eid, General Manager, IBM Gulf, Levant and Pakistan.

“The University of Sharjah is proud to partner with IBM in developing solutions for the pressing environmental challenges faced by communities in arid regions,” said Dr. Adewale Giwa, Assistant Professor of Chemical and Water Desalination Engineering at the University of Sharjah. “Through the IBM Sustainability Accelerator, we aim to monitor and forecast water access conditions in the region, offering vital support to communities with limited freshwater resources. This collaboration reflects our commitment to leveraging technology for the betterment of society and creating a lasting impact in the face of climate change.”

New IBM Sustainability Accelerator partners and projects:

IBM is furthering its commitment to sustainable innovation with projects focused on water management solutions as part of its global social impact program, the IBM Sustainability Accelerator. The 2023 IPCC AR6 Synthesis Report identified that 3.3 billion people live in areas vulnerable to significant impacts from climate change[1]. With a commitment of $30 million worth of technology and services by IBM through the end of 2025, the program is adding five new projects focused on water management, offering IBM technologies, such as watsonx, and an ecosystem of experts.

New IBM SkillsBuild Sustainability Roadmap

New research from IBM and Morning Consult confirms a growing skills gap in sustainability that poses a threat to the workforce across industries. 64% of business leaders surveyed in the UAE anticipate their business will emphasize sustainability skills criteria in their hiring in the next two years, with 79% expecting to invest in sustainability training in the next year.

To help build this pipeline of sustainability talent, IBM SkillsBuild is providing free training that connects cutting edge technologies to ecology and climate change. With AI-powered recommendations available for each learner, this interdisciplinary coursework connect topics such as ecology and biodiversity, with technology training in AI and data analytics. This is a comprehensive curriculum to help equip the next generation of leaders with skills for the green economy.

Learners can benefit from a holistic environmental tech training journey from IBM SkillsBuild with digital credentials available each step of the way.

• Introductory courses will help establish a foundation with historical insights and fundamentals to connect sustainability and technology.
• Mid-level offerings in design thinking and green entrepreneurship will encourage learners to grow their skills.
• Advanced coursework will ask learners to apply their skills to sustainability topics across AI, cybersecurity, and ESG reporting.

These offerings build on IBM’s commitment to skill 30 million people by 2030, with a focus on underrepresented communities. Through collaborations across social service, economic development, and vocational organizations, as well as government agencies, and universities, IBM SkillsBuild makes free online learning widely available, to communities that are underrepresented in technology. These include organizations that will help skill women, including mothers returning to the workforce, ethnic minorities, low-income individuals, and refugees.

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About IBM Sustainability Accelerator

Launched in February 2022, the IBM Sustainability Accelerator is a social impact program that addresses multiple environmental threats around the world. Each year, the accelerator selects five projects to scale solutions that benefit communities that face challenges such as climate change, pollution, extreme weather and more. The program currently has three active cohorts; the first one is focused on sustainable agriculture, the second on clean energy, and the third on water and sanitation. For more information, visit https://www.ibm.com/impact/initiatives/ibm-sustainability-accelerator

About IBM SkillsBuild

IBM SkillsBuild is a free education program focused on underrepresented communities in tech, that helps adult learners, and high school and university students and faculty, develop valuable new skills and access career opportunities. The program includes an online platform that is complemented by customized practical learning experiences delivered in collaboration with a global network of partners. The open version of IBM SkillsBuild is an online platform offering over 1,000 courses in 20 languages on AI, cybersecurity, data analysis, cloud computing, and many other technical disciplines — as well as in workplace skills such as Design Thinking. Most importantly, participants can earn IBM-branded digital credentials that are recognized by the market. The enhanced partner version of IBM SkillsBuild may also include workshops, expert conversations with IBM coaches and mentors, project-based learning, access to IBM software, specialized support from partners through the learning process, and connection to career opportunities. Visit skillsbuild.org to learn more. 

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[1] AR6 Synthesis Report, A.2.2, from IPCC, 2023: Summary for Policymakers. In: Climate Change 2023: Synthesis Report. Contribution of Working Groups I, II and III to the Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change [Core Writing Team, H. Lee and J. Romero (eds.)]. IPCC, Geneva, Switzerland, pp. 1-34, doi: 10.59327/IPCC/AR6-9789291691647.001).