Al Qudra Holdings has unveiled a new $100 million (£68.3 million) training and simulation academy in Abu Dhabi.

Hailed as the first real-time industrial simulation training and development centre in the Middle East and north Africa region, the Emirates Simulation Academy was developed in partnership with the Centre of Excellence for Applied Research and Training of Higher Colleges of Technology and US-based GSE Systems.

"Simulator-based training provides a risk-free opportunity for trainees to develop expertise and gain practical experience in improving operating processes and procedures and in dealing with emergencies," commented Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi's minister of higher education and scientific research.

The new training and development centre will boast five simulation rooms which have been designed to mirror the operational hubs of the emirate's main industries, including petroleum refinery and upstream oil operations.

Located in the CERT Technology Park, the centre was officially brought online yesterday (January 14th) at 11:00 local time.

Oil and Gas Directory: Training and Development