Dubai, September 13, 2004: The Ministry of Finance and Industry (MOFI) tied up today with Zayed University and University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley) to bring cutting edge expertise to the transformation of the UAE's 22 federal ministries. The move is part of an initiative to inaugurate an innovation award programme within the UAE federal government. 

The prestigious award will reward creative and effective problem solving in government and is expected to play a crucial role in driving performance as the MOFI-led strategic overhaul of the country's ministries gets underway. The agreement confirms that key roles will be played by UC Berkeley's Haas School of Business and Zayed University.

These will collaborate with MOFI in a strategic review of every government department and will advise and execute executive training programmes and develop incentives, such as the new award, to drive through innovation and change. The intention to proceed with the agreement was formally sealed with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at a ceremony in Dubai earlier today.

H.E. Dr Mohammed Khalfan Bin Kharbash, UAE Minister of State for Finance and Industry, Dr Hanif Hassan Al Kassimi, Zayed University's vice president, and Dr Rashi Glazer, Associate Professor at the Hass School of Business UC Berkeley were the official signatories on behalf of the respective parties to the agreement.

Dr Kharbash said: "This agreement and the ultimate award reflect the vision and philosophy of HH The President Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan and his desire to see the country progress and meet the highest expectations and standards. It also reinforces the UAE government's commitment to cultivating a culture of consistent innovation. We expect this agreement to lead to fundamental changes and improvements in government processes, services, policy development and regulatory functions throughout the UAE's 22 federal ministries."

Dr. Kharbash noted that this agreement is yet another step in MOFI's ongoing efforts to foster change, development, and innovation with an aim to achieve high performance government across all federal Ministries. " We believe that in order to maintain our competitiveness in the global village, problem solving and creativity should be both important and essential elements of the skill sets of our government officials and employees. This is why the programme is designed so that it rewards those in the UAE government who are keen and proactive about bringing in new ideas that can be turned into procedures that lead to better services and top quality organizational systems," he added.

Dr. Hanif Hassan Al Qassimi welcomed the cooperation with the Ministry of Finance and Industry in this vital project that is encouraged by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Minister of Finance and Industry, for developing the performances of federal ministries, and the support of HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, Director of the Office of His Highness the President Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, for the new government innovation award.

He confirmed Zayed University's commitment to building partnerships and cooperating with internationally renowned universities for its latest academic and research programmes. His Excellency Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, Minister of Higher Education & Scientific Research, President of Zayed University, added that such agreements embody the vision and mission of the university. Dr. Hanif said the new government innovation award would encourage innovation, creativity and deliver executive training and effective problem solving to the ministries.

"As an academic institution, our mission is to encourage exchange of information and foster knowledge in the UAE. We are, therefore, extremely proud to play a part in this ambitious programme of innovation undertaken by the UAE government", Dr. Al Qassimi concluded.

Dr Glazer said: "Over the past three decades the UAE has emerged as an outstanding model of development. This is clearly because the UAE's political leadership places a high premium on overall development while fostering a spirit of brotherhood among the people of the UAE and the rest of the world. We are thrilled to be able to play a part in the progress of this great nation through the understanding we have signed today."

The MoU will lead to a three-phase collaboration with UC Berkeley to bring change to the ministries. The first phase is effectively to carry out a strategic review that will look at existing processes and best practices, develop UAE-specific case studies and create the awards programme.

The second phase will focus on developing the awards programme after identifying any gaps or weaknesses. The awards will provide an incentive for staff to strive for excellence in these areas and act as a vehicle for the UAE President to increase understanding and awareness.

The third phase involves the actual programme delivery where as a series of custom-made executive education programmes focused on strategy will be conducted, and a "market" orientation will be developed, and integration of technology and strategy, leadership, human resource management, measuring processes, change management, and communication of new innovative initiatives within the context of UAE ministries and culture will take place.

MOFI is currently undertaking four key initiatives aimed at providing integrated services and rendering government more responsive, more efficient and more effective. These are Total Quality Management; Performance-Based Budgeting; E-Government (including the E-Dirham), and, Executive Training Program.

-Ends-  

For further information, please contact:
Ma'moon Sbeih/Hicham El Amrani
ASDA'A Public Relations
Exclusive Affiliate of Edelman PR Worldwide in Middle East and North Africa
Dubai,
UAE
Tel: +971-4-3344550,
Fax: +971-4-3344556
E-Mail: info@asdaa.com

© Press Release 2004

 

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