MBRSG wraps up Arab Leadership and Government Excellence Programme

The Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government, MBRSG, the first research and teaching institution focusing on governance and public policy in the Arab world, concluded its flagship 'Arab Leadership and Government Excellence' programme, which hosted a delegation of Kuwaiti government officials in Dubai from 15th to 19th October 2017.

The programme’s objectives include empowering participants to deal with modern-day challenges faced by their organisations and upgrading government operations by improving strategic decision-making. A range of academic courses and training sessions were designed to encourage interaction and exchange of experiences among the participants, all the while introducing them to international best practices in the government sector and further expanding their knowledge of leadership and public policy. It also explores the challenges and opportunities of smart government and smart city applications.

MBRSG’s Executive President, Dr. Ali Sebaa Al Marri said, "The Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government moves forward, inspired by the directives of the Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, to explore new avenues for cooperation with GCC countries. We are setting the foundation for replicating the UAE’s success in government operations, public policy, governance and smart technologies across the entire Gulf region."

"A qualified GCC workforce is a key to sustainable development," Dr. Al Marri added. "Investing in human resources paves the way for a better future; this programme allowed us to strengthen our bonds with our partners in Kuwait, and to harmonise our efforts and know-how to develop government operations and meet the strategic goals of GCC countries."

The first chapter of the programme focused on effective leadership and government excellence as a means to enhance organisational performance, embrace cutting-edge technologies and address challenges. The second chapter, meanwhile, identified technology and ICT as essential means for sustainable development and smart city strategies across the Arab world.

"We were introduced to innovative and eye-opening ideas that facilitate work, increase productivity and achieve customer satisfaction," said Ghaida Al Shimali, Head of Tax Agreements at the Kuwaiti Ministry of Finance, citing as examples the UAE’s efforts to simplify terminology in legislation and accelerate amendment procedures, as well as to the Emirates’ commitment to engaging the youth in shaping the future of the country. "We look forward to increasing collaboration among GCC member states to promote the Gulf region as a global destination for development and prosperity," Al Shimali added.

The course included a field visit to the Federal Authority for Competitiveness and Statistics, where participants were introduced to the Authority’s work, as well as its initiatives and strategies to develop the UAE’s national statistics system and increase its global competitiveness.

Awatif Al Tuwaijri, Head of the Anti-Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Department at the Kuwaiti Ministry of Finance, said, "The Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government’s enthusiasm for sharing their experiences reflects their passion for government excellence. This trip gave us great insight and made us look forward to further cooperation with the school in the future and to establishing robust communication channels with them."

The programme sought to build a robust network of government entities and to improve constructive communication channels between mid- and top-level officials in Arab governments. The course also aimed to explore international success stories – particularly in the UAE – to identify the factors that ensure success and progress.

"With the great attention we’ve received from the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government," said Awad Al Mutairi, Head of Asset Management at the Kuwaiti Ministry of Finance, "we were able to discover incredible success stories we could replicate within our organisations to boost productivity and encourage constructive communication through the open-door policy implemented across all UAE Government establishments."

MBRSG’s executive education programmes were specifically designed for highly qualified government officials. They seek to modernise and upgrade their leadership and management skills, all the while enriching their knowledge by sharing the UAE Government’s extensive insight and expertise.