AN ABB learning facility, which will offer customers, engineers and students over 180 training courses on leading-edge technologies as well as showcasing the company’s products, services and solutions, has opened inside the company’s headquarters in Abu Dhabi.

The facility, ABB’s first in the Middle East, includes five training rooms with interactive whiteboards, an auditorium to accommodate 90 people, a digital display panel zone with an interactive augmented reality pod and discrete discussion areas.

“This one-of-a-kind facility provides a special environment for customers and other key stakeholders from across the Middle East. They can enroll on any of the 180 professional and engaging courses led by highly knowledgeable course leaders across multiple disciplines and products,” remarked Frank Duggan, the head of global markets and manager for ABB in India, Middle East and Africa.

The learning zone will be used by both the Emirati community and other stakeholders across the region, bringing knowledge and expertise under one roof and further demonstrating ABB’s commitment to securing deep roots and investment in the UAE’s future, Duggan said. 

ABB collaborates with the local community and is actively building its Emirati Ambassador programme. As part of this, ABB supports Emirati students by offering certified training in the professional and technically advanced environment that will help to secure their careers for the future, he added.

“On completion of their courses, engineers and operators will gain valuable knowledge which will in turn improve effectiveness and efficiency, helping ABB customers to increase productivity, efficiency and safety of their processes.”

ABB said a range of demonstration equipment is available for hands-on experience, such as the distributed control system 800xA in a mock-up control room environment, which demonstrates the ‘Operator Effectiveness’ concept.

Another interactive tool includes the solar augmented reality demo that allows visitors to be given a virtual tour of a solar plant via a large screen. The learning zone can be used by engineers, customers and students who would like to enhance personal development and improve their technical skills and knowledge.

Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, officially opened the learning zone.