GEC NEWS WIREThe UAE edition of the World CIO 200 Summit UAE Edition was held in the Lapita Resort in Dubai, drawing top tech leaders. This year’s edition continued the legacy of being the world’s largest CIO Leadership excellence program, providing a unique platform for CIOs to engage in meaningful discussions and share new insights.
Opening Remarks by Ronak Samantaray, CEO of GEC Media Group
Ronak set the stage with a thought-provoking note on the evolving role of CIOs in the current era. His address highlighted the critical contributions of CIOs in driving technological innovation and strategic growth within organizations.
The World CIO 200 Summit’s UAE country ambassador, Peter Gesper, kickstarted the summit with a powerful presentation on the future of infrastructure and corporate applications in the global IT landscape. His insights from industry leaders provided a robust foundation for the discussions that followed.
Panel Discussion: Unleash the Might: Creating a Unified Vision Moderated by Feras Al Jabi, CEO/GM of ITQAN Al Khaleej, this session featured an esteemed panel of IT leaders:
- Dr. Latha Suresh, Director – Global Information Technology, Taghleef Industries
- Dr. Kalthoom Al Blooshi Mohammad AlBlooshi, Chief Innovation Officer / Director – Training and Development Center, Emirates Health Services
- Mike Asfar, EMBA, Director of Information Technology Digital Transformation, Abdul Latif Jameel International
- Anchal C., Group Head of IT and Projects, Leading Banking and Insurance
- Sourav Sinha, Chief Information Officer, BeOnd Airline
- Adam Docrat, Head of IT, Chemist Warehouse UAE
The discussion emphasized the importance of creating a unified vision within organizations to drive technological advancement and achieve strategic objectives. Each panelist shared valuable insights from their respective industries, highlighting the role of leadership, cross-functional collaboration, and strategic alignment.
Bring AI to Your Data with Dell Technologies : Charbel Zreiby, Regional Director of Channel Data Centre Specialists CEEMETA at Dell Technologies, delivered an insightful session on how Dell is transforming data management with AI. His presentation provided attendees with advanced strategies for leveraging AI to enhance data management and operational efficiency.
The Three Commitments of Exceptional Leaders : Ali El Kontar Ali El Kontar, CEO of Zero&One, captivated the audience with his session on “The Three Commitments of Exceptional Leaders.” He explored the essential commitments that define leadership excellence, inspiring attendees to integrate these principles into their leadership practices.
The Path Forward and Hybrid Multicloud by Nutanix Inc. Raif Abou Diab, Country Manager for UAE, Oman & Pakistan at Nutanix Inc., shared his expertise on hybrid multicloud solutions. His presentation offered valuable insights into the future advancements and adaptability of hybrid multi-cloud technologies, emphasizing their critical role in modern IT infrastructure.
Panel Discussion: Gen AI – Use Cases, Infrastructure Readiness, and Adaptability Moderated by Jeevan Thankappan,Managing Editor, GEC Media Group, this panel included:
- Manny Johal, Chief Information Officer, Premiera Education Group
- Alaa Alyaseen Kurbag, Director-Information Tech., MAF Retail Carrefour
- Vipul Singhal, Digital Transformation Leader
- Arun Kumar Mohta, Group IT Head, FJ Group
The discussion delved into the real-world applications, infrastructure readiness, and adaptability of Gen AI. Panelists shared their experiences and strategies for integrating AI technologies to drive innovation and operational efficiency.
Innovation, Technology, and Sustainability by Pure Storage: Wassim Abi Saab, Regional Alliances and Channel Manager at Pure Storage led a session on the integration of innovation, technology, and sustainability. He emphasized the importance of sustainable practices in advancing technological innovation and achieving long-term success.
Navigating the Future of Cybersecurity: Nagesh Konduru Nagesh Konduru, Founder & CEO of Banyan Cloud Inc., USA, provided an in-depth look into the future of cybersecurity. His session on “Governance & Continuous Monitoring” offered valuable guidance on enhancing cybersecurity measures to protect against evolving threats.
Panel Discussion: Agility and Adaptability: Moderated by Amir Ashour, Project Manager – International Expansion at haifin (e& enterprise), this panel featured:
- Ali Katkhada, Group CIO, Depa United Group
- Shumon A Zaman, Chief Information & Digital Officer, Ali & Sons Holding LLC
- Vishal Anand, Head of Digital Excellence, Sinyar Hospitality
The discussion centered on how CIOs are enabling organizations to pivot and innovate rapidly, ensuring they stay ahead of the curve. Panelists shared their experiences in fostering agility and adaptability within their organizations.
Accelerate Enterprise Transformation with Practical AI: Imran Abdulla, GM for Middle East and Africa at Orbus Software, discussed practical AI solutions to accelerate enterprise transformation. His session empowered attendees with strategies to thrive in the digital era through innovative AI applications.
Future of Collaboration Technology: Ektaa Puthran, Head of Sales APAC & MEA at Barco, unveiled the latest innovations in collaboration technology. Her presentation highlighted the impact of advanced collaboration tools on enhancing organizational efficiency and connectivity.
Announcement of GCF Future Innovators, STEM Challenge
The summit concluded with the announcement of the GCF Future Innovators, STEM Challenge. This initiative aims to foster innovation and support the next generation of technology leaders, underscoring the summit’s commitment to nurturing future talent and driving technological advancements.
The World CIO 200 Summit UAE Edition was a remarkable success, thanks to all attendees’ enthusiastic participation and insightful contributions. We look forward to continuing this journey of innovation and excellence in future editions of the summit.
Stay connected with us for more updates and upcoming events!
