Global Knowledge announced recently that it will offer a two-year IT course this year to students who have just graduated from high school in the Saudi capital.

“The course is part of Global Knowledge’s aim of developing specialized programs in English and Arabic for students in Saudi Arabia,” Alaa Saafan, the general manager, said.

Saafan made the announcement here while celebrating the foundation of Global Knowledge in the United States 20 years ago.

Saafan added that Global Knowledge has offered 4,000 training courses and several professional certificates in Saudi Arabia during the past six years in collaboration with 20 various global partners. These partners come from various sectors such as IT, networks, software, operating systems, security and communication developing and manufacturing companies.

He added that Global Knowledge also provided training to more than 24,000 employees and administrators and contributed to the development and success of 1,500 companies in the Kingdom.

He expressed his delight at the success of Global Knowledge in implementing strategic plans in the Kingdom, adding: "It’s one of the most important markets for us and we always seek to develop our specialized training programs in Arabic and English to meet local demand.”

Last year, Global Knowledge concluded a partnership with IBM, which is specialized in the manufacture and development of computers and software; Symantec, which is specialized in security and information management; and Amazon, the world’s largest online store.

He said that Global Knowledge’s operations in the Kingdom involved devoting its capacities and expertise to benefit the community through extensive courses tailored to the needs of employees of government and private agencies. These include Saudi Aramco, the National Information Center of the Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Education, National Guard and Al Bilad Bank, among others.

In a bid to extend its services to more students in the Kingdom who wish to specialize in IT and related fields, Global Knowledge also intends to establish a branch in the Eastern Province this year.