Misk Fellows embark on an inspiring visit to Zoom HQ
A delegation of 70 students from Saudi Arabia visited Zoom HQ, where they met with Eric S. Yuan, the company’s founder and CEO, Aparna Bawa (COO), and Velchamy Sankarlingam (President of Product and Engineering).
Following Zoom CEO Eric Yuan’s appearance at the LEAP conference in March 2024, Zoom’s commitment to the Middle East and Saudi Arabia was underscored by the recent visit of the Mohammed Bin Salman (Misk) Foundation Fellows. The Misk Foundation, dedicated to fostering learning and leadership among Saudi Arabia’s youth, brought 70 fellows to Zoom’s Silicon Valley headquarters. These fellows, pursuing degrees ranging from bachelor’s to doctoral, had the unique opportunity to interact with Zoom’s top leaders, including CEO and founder Eric S. Yuan, COO Aparna Bawa, and President of Product and Engineering Velchamy Sankarlingam.
Q&A with the CEO
The visit kicked off with a highly anticipated Q&A session with Eric S. Yuan. Yuan, whose vision has changed the way the world communicates, shared his insights on leadership, artificial intelligence, and the future of digital collaboration. Fellows, eager to learn from Yuan’s extensive experience, asked thoughtful questions about overcoming challenges, maintaining a growth mindset, and the importance of adaptability in tech.
“At Zoom, we are deeply honored to contribute to Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030. Our commitment goes beyond technology; it’s about empowering the next generation of Saudi talent to drive social and economic progress,” said Eric S. Yuan after meeting with the Misk fellows. “The potential of the region is underscored by meeting these exceptional students. Zoom is committed to the expansion of our digital footprint in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East, and we are planning on setting up local data centers. This investment reinforces our commitment to providing secure and reliable communications infrastructure tailored to the needs of our customers.”
Fireside Chat with Aparna Bawa and Velchamy Sankarlingam
Following the Q&A, the fellows sat down for an intimate fireside chat with Aparna Bawa and Velchamy Sankarlingam. They discussed the inner workings of Zoom, from its operational strategies to the development of its products. They shared personal anecdotes and professional experiences, giving the fellows a deeper understanding of what it takes to run a successful technology company. The candid conversations highlighted the importance of collaboration, innovation, and resilience in achieving organizational goals.
The visit also included an extensive tour of Zoom’s corporate headquarters. The fellows explored the state-of-the-art facilities, from cutting-edge workspaces to bustling operations centers. They saw firsthand the dynamic environment where Zoom’s groundbreaking ideas come to life. The tour gave the fellows insight into the culture and ethos of one of the leading technology firms in the world.
The Misk fellows’ visit to Zoom’s headquarters was a remarkable experience that provided them with invaluable insight and inspiration. By interacting with industry leaders and exploring the heart of a global technology giant, these future leaders from Saudi Arabia gained a unique perspective on innovation and leadership.
