From April 7th to April 18th, DP World hosted three graduates from Schneider Electric—Sara Walid, Hayaa Almansoori, and Meitha Bin Abri—as part of an enriching exchange program. This two-week journey allowed them to explore various departments, engage in enriching activities, and gain valuable insights that will undoubtedly shape their future careers.

Participating in the DP World x Schneider Electric exchange program was a powerful and eye-opening experience that brought together two global leaders committed to shaping a more sustainable and innovative future. From the beginning, it was clear this journey would be more than just observation—it was about engagement, collaboration, and discovering how purpose-driven strategies are applied across industries.

Reflecting on this journey, each graduate walked away with something personal. As Meitha Bin Abri, a Power Systems Sales Engineer, shared, “Being part of the DP World x Schneider Electric exchange program was a truly transformative experience. It offered a unique perspective on how innovation, sustainability, and global operations come together to shape the future. Witnessing these principles in action across various sectors not only expanded my understanding but also reinforced my drive to contribute to impactful, forward-thinking solutions.”

The graduates began their journey by delving into DP World’s sustainability initiatives. They engaged in discussions about DP World’s efforts, global frameworks, and sustainable finance, including the Blue Bond and Green Sukuk. This provided them with a comprehensive understanding of how large organizations can drive positive environmental change. Next, they were introduced to the Global Education Platform, which offers impactful initiatives, trainings, and certifications. This platform is designed to empower individuals with the knowledge and skills needed to make a difference in their respective fields. Their exploration of decarbonization strategies was particularly enlightening. They learned about alternative fuels and participated in a solar walk to observe solar car parks, highlighting the practical applications of renewable energy sources.

Guided through various projects and applications for automation, the graduates looked at cases like the world’s most advanced port in Rotterdam and visited BOXBAY, a fully automated warehouse for cargo containers. This experience was especially relevant to Sara Walid’s role as a Process Automation Tendering Engineer, showcasing cutting-edge technologies and their implementation in real-world scenarios. Sara reflected, “Participating in the Schneider Electric X DP World exchange program has been an incredibly rewarding journey. From the moment we started, I felt welcomed and supported by everyone at DP World. The hands-on activities and deep dives into various departments have not only expanded my professional knowledge but also ignited a passion for sustainability and innovation within me. One of the highlights was exploring the advanced automation projects, especially at BOXBAY, where I witnessed the future of automated warehousing. This experience has deepened my commitment to driving efficiency through cutting-edge automation solutions in my role as a process automation engineer. I am truly grateful for the connections I’ve made and look forward to future collaborations with DP World.”

The graduates also explored initiatives aimed at ocean and biodiversity protection, such as Living Seawalls to boost biodiversity, and visited Coral Vita, a lab managing coral restoration. These efforts underscored the importance of preserving marine ecosystems and the innovative approaches being taken to achieve this goal. At JAFZA terminal 1, they toured the bays to monitor water levels and maintain safety standards. This hands-on experience provided valuable insights into the operational aspects of maritime safety and environmental monitoring. Moreover, observing the operations of P & O Maritime tugboats as they assisted larger vessels gave the graduates a deeper understanding of maritime services and the critical role they play in global trade. Their discussions on asset lifecycle management and visit to JAFZA Terminal 3, a terminal utilizing a fully automated terminal operating system (OTS), highlighted the importance of efficient asset management and the benefits of automation in maintaining operational excellence. Furthermore, at Dry Docks World, the graduates observed some of the largest vessels and actively engaged in workshops focused on fabrication, piping, and metalwork. Furthermore, they attended an in-depth presentation covering dry dock facilities, carbon footprint reduction initiatives, and comprehensive training programs. This experience provided a holistic view of the maritime industry and its efforts to reduce environmental impact.

The journey concluded with insightful discussions on Dubai Trade’s digital transformation journey and initiatives to develop a comprehensive one-stop shop for trade services. This highlighted the importance of digital innovation in streamlining trade processes and enhancing efficiency. Hayaa Almansoori, Marketing and Data Engineer in Services summed up the experience, “Participating in the DP World x Schneider Electric exchange program was an eye-opening journey into the heart of sustainable global trade. Experiencing firsthand how innovation, environmental stewardship, and operational excellence come together across diverse departments has truly expanded my perspective and inspired me to drive meaningful change in my own work.”

Overall, the exchange program with DP World was an invaluable and enriching experience for the Schneider Electric graduates. They are grateful for the opportunity to share insights from their roles and to collaborate with the exceptional team at DP World. They look forward to maintaining their connection and exploring further opportunities for collaboration in the future.