Quarterly Newsletter | December 2012

New Board of Trustees Pledges to Advance Creation of Knowledge, Best Practices and the Empowerment of Future Leaders

The First BoT meeting

Reflecting the confidence of the Government of in the role IN THIS ISSUE and mission of the Dubai School of Government and its keenness 1 DSG’s New Board of Trustees to support the school’s performance and success, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and 2 Fikr Government Conference Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, issued law 3 for 2012 3 Social Media and Entrepreurship appointing a new board of trustees for DSG.

4 GCC Social Media Conference His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Mak- 5 DEWA’s Exec ED Contract toum, Crown Prince of Dubai earlier issued Executive Council Res- olution No. (22) appointing a new board of trustees for DSG for a 6 Ask the Fellow: Aisha Al Shamsi three year term. The new board of trustees will continue to be 7 Ziegler speaks on FDI chaired by His Excellency Dr. Anwar Mohammed Gargash, Minister 8 Sheikh Zayed Housing Program of State for Foreign Affairs and Minister of State for Federal National Council Affairs. Members of the new board of trustees include Her 9 Gender Program Hosts Soha Ellaithy Excellency Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi, Minister of Foreign Trade, His 10 Government Summit Excellency Sultan Bin Saeed Al Mansoori, Minister of Economy; His Excellency Humaid Mohammed Al Qutami, Minister of Education; 11 DOF Course completed His Excellency Tariq Hilal Lootah, DSG’s Executive President, His 12 Islamic Affairs Graduation Excellency Ahmad Bin Byat, CEO of ; His Excellency 13 Forthcoming Publications Dr Mugheer Khamis Al Khaili, Director General of Abu Dhabi Edu- cation Council, His Excellency Ali Rashid Al Ketbi, Chairman of Abu 14 Upcoming Events Dhabi Tawteen Council and Her Excellency Amal Mohammed bin

DSGNEWS 1 Adi, Director General, Dubai Government Human Resource His Excellency Dr. Gargash added: “Our meeting was very Department, and from the private sector, His Excellency positive, and our commitment to the development of this Abdullah Majid Al Ghurair Chairman and Managing Direc- school is as strong as ever. We are now ready to work to- tor of Abdulla and Hamad Al Ghurair Investment LLC, and wards streamlining various operations. For instance, we His Excellency Omar Abdullah Al Futtaim, Vice Chairman of will be placing extra emphasis on encouraging our staff Al Futtaim Group. to attend training courses. Furthermore, we will continue to implement the recommendations issued by the Dubai Commenting on the news, His Excellency Dr. Anwar Mo- Government regarding the preparation of the final stra- hamed Gargash, Chairman of the Board of Trustees said: tegic plan, as well as the recommendations raised by the “The board members plan to enhance the distinguished Ministry of Higher Education on the MPA program to al- role DSG plays as a model in the Arab world and share the low the school to resume recruiting students from the Emirati experience in governance in addition to best prac- UAE and abroad.” The board of trustees was also briefed tices with the region. We are confident in the new board’s on DSG’s activities and achievements as well as the finan- ability to represent the school in the best possible way, cial report of 2011-2012 and praised the efforts made to across local and international forums. The board is also keep on the path of success and financial stability of the set to play an active role in the development of plans and school. The Council also authorized the chairman to form projects that help achieve the objectives of the school in the new school board which will include the Executive line with the vision of its founders and the aspirations of President and the Dean in addition to a number of faculty our staff members.” members and senior management at DSG. The Future of Citizen-Government Relations Discussed at FIKR 11

H.H. Sheikh Mohammed with Prince Khalid Al Faisal during the opening ceremony

Under the patronage and in the The conference was attended by a “FIKR11” in an Emirate that has lead presence of His Highness Sheikh large number of ministers, former the way towards eGovernment and Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, ministers and dignitaries from Sau- made interaction between citizens Vice President and Prime Minister di Arabia, Lebanon, Jordan and the and their government a smooth and of the UAE, Ruler of Dubai, and in . positive experience which is avail- the presence of His Royal Highness able for all Governments in order The Arab Thought Foundation Prince Khalid AlFaisal, Chairman, to take advantage of and to start to thanked the Emirate of Dubai for giv- Arab Thought Foundation, the an- build upon. nual “FIKR11” conference was held ing the organization the opportunity in Dubai, under the theme “Citizens to host its annual conference for the Fadi Salem, Director of the Govern- and Government: Future Vision,” third time. The Foundation went on ance and Innovation Program at the from 26 to 27 November. to stress the importance of holding Dubai School of Government rep-

2 DSGNEWS resented DSG in the session held the Arab World: The impact on soci- ers for the session were HE Samira under the title “Information and ety and the role of the government”. Ibrahim Bin Rajab, Minister of State Government Transparency: A New Fadi gave an overview of the results for Information in the Kingdom of Role for the Media.” The session un- of the Arab Social Media Report Bahrain; Dr. Sadek Hamammi, Assis- derlined the power of the media in (ASMR) and discussed the trends of tant Professor at the Faculty of Com- raising public awareness. and pre- usage of social media websites in munication, University of Sharjah sented a paper on “Social media in the Arab world. Other guest speak-

DSG and SAP Examine Impact of Social Media on Entrepreneurship and Employment in the Arab World

DSG’s Governance and Innovation Program released a landmark report that underscored the role played by social media in boosting skills, en- hancing employment prospects and supporting entrepreneurship across the Arab world.

The survey, conducted in cooperation with SAP MENA, which examined the effectiveness of social media in pro- moting social advancement, job cre- ation and business growth across the Arab region, collated data from close to 5,000 respondents in Bahrain, Ku- wait, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Lebanon, Oman, Egypt and Jordan. His Excellency Saqr Ghobash Saeed Ghobash, Minister of Labor , during his opening Under the patronage of His Excel- speech lency Saqr Ghobash Saeed Ghobash, can have a dramatic impact on job per cent said it inspired innovation. UAE Minister of Labor, the results creation and employment oppor- Furthermore, 78 per cent felt that of the survey were announced in a tunities. Nearly 80 per cent of the policy forum held at DSG’s headquar- social media’s powerful connective respondents said that technology ters on October 3rd. In his opening credentials can markedly enhance could help provide access to critical remarks, HE Tariq Hilal Lootah, DSG’s trust levels among the workforce. job market data. In addition to 76 Executive President thanked HE Min- per cent respondents claiming that The report also hailed social media ister Ghobash for his attendance and it is beneficial in forming job-yielding as a critical tool for start-ups across welcomed official representatives partnerships and opportunities, 75 the Arab world, with 86 per cent from the Mohammed Bin Rashid Es- per cent saw it as a conduit for a new agreeing it contributed to business tablishment for Small and Medium ‘virtual job market’. Meanwhile, 71 success. Among the reasons cited Enterprises (SME) Development, The per cent claimed they would rely on were its multifaceted marketing po- Executive Council in Dubai, The Ex- social media to find their next job. tential (90 per cent), a capacity to ecutive Office, the Prime Minister’s tap into wider markets (86 per cent), Office; in addition to Sam Alkharrat, Social media’s influence in the work- substantial customer engagement Managing Director, SAP Middle East place was also seen as pervasive and options (85 per cent) and its over- and North Africa (MENA); and numer- positive. Here, 86 per cent noted it all potential to raise awareness and ous representatives from govern- increased intra-agency collabora- instill entrepreneurial mindsets (84 ment and private sector entities. tion, 85 per cent welcomed its ability per cent). The report revealed that social media to connect with customers and 85

DSGDSGNEWSNEWS 33 DSG’s report has highlighted that so- spite having few stable economies in up-skilling of talent, as well as SME cial media is viewed as a facilitator of the region today, the most active part creation and empowerment.” significant educational advantages. of the Arab population; the youth, is While 84 percent respondents said increasingly feeling empowered. Our In addition to providing unprec- students would benefit from utiliz- ongoing research over the past two edented insight into regional social ing social media in developing entre- years has shown that close to 50 mil- media trends, results from the DSG preneurial skills, 76 affirmed they use lion Arabs are actively connected to study will form a key part of an on- social media and ICT tools to acquire social media and primarily use the going feasibility study by SAP MENA such business abilities. platforms to change social and po- for creating a cutting-edge, project- litical realities in their countries. The enabling ICT platform to boost sus- The primary drawbacks and negative ground-breaking research offers in- tainable job creation across the re- connotations attributed to social me- sight into new horizons for economic gion. The pioneering platform will dia use in business largely center on empowerment of the Arab youth. It is improve leadership decisions related concerns regarding the regulatory essential for policy makers and busi- to job creation by aggregating, pro- environment. People and businesses nesses to understand this emerg- cessing and presenting ‘big data’ do not feel protected in the absence ing phenomenon and its impact on using social media and established of appropriate laws regarding intel- their societies and markets. We are SAP® solutions such as the SAP e-Re- lectual property, privacy and copy- delighted to team-up with business cruiting application, the SAP Enter- right, according to the report. leaders such as SAP on our research prise Learning environment, the SAP Learning Solution, and the SAP CRM Looking ahead, 81 per cent of re- projects.” rapid-deployment solution for citizen spondents agreed that national poli- Sam Alkharrat, Managing Director, contact centers. cies and guidelines would help fa- SAP MENA, said: “SAP helps custom- cilitate better use of social media at Racha Mourtada, Research Associate ers tap into social media data to un- work, and inspire entrepreneurial op- with the Governance and Innovation cover insights and revenue oppor- portunities. The survey participants Program, DSG and lead author of the tunities they would never think to additionally called for educational re- report, said: “Respondents were over- look for or are unlikely to find using form to integrate such technologies whelmingly positive about the role traditional research methods. The in the classroom. of social media in engaging govern- DSG study reaffirms our belief that ments and citizens for creating poli- Fadi Salem, Director of the Govern- platforms of this nature have a stun- cies that benefit businesses and start- ance and Innovation Program, DSG, ning impact on the job market, the ups.” and co-author of the report, said: “De- Thought Leaders and Policymakers congregate at GCC Government Social Media Summit

Social media has transformed the GCC public into genuine “followers”, “fans” and “friends” of their leaders

Senior GCC government officials showed interest in ologue but a two-way dialogue with the public. With utilizing social media to communicate with the public more than 14 percent of the young population in the in a more responsive way. From 17-19 September, over Arab region actively using social media, governments 200 delegates from the GCC and the MENA region took can now actively engage with a fast-growing part of part in the GCC Governmental Social Media Summit the society and stay updated on the public’s needs and held in Dubai. The conference was also attended by pri- opinions, thereby responding with effective policies.” vate sector representatives, academics and ICTexperts. Racha Mourtada, Research Associate at DSG’s Govern- ance and Innovation Program also presented findings The Dubai School of Government took part in the sum- from the Arab Social Media Report at the summit, which mit as a knowledge partner. The summit chairman and is a quarterly report published by DSG’s Governance Director of the Governance and Innovation Program, and Innovation Program that examines the impact of Fadi Salem, said: “The most precious tool of any gov- social media on the transformations taking place be- ernment is information. Governments in the region are tween governments and societies in the region. realizing that information is no longer a one-way mon-

4 DSGNEWS DSG Signs New Executive Education Contract with dewa HE Tariq Hilal Lootah, Executive President of the Dubai School of Government (DSG) signed an ex- ecutive education contract with HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Manag- ing Director & CEO of Dubai Electric- ity and Water Authority (DEWA) for the Advanced Leadership Develop- ment Programme on 26 November. The signing ceremony was attended by Mr. Ahmad Abdullah Bin Bayat, Member of the Board of Trustees for Dubai School of Government, Dr. HE Tariq Hilal Lootah with HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer Yousef Al Akraf, Executive Vice Presi- dent of Business Support at DEWA, drawing on its international partner- “Today marks an important day for and several senior officials from both ships. DEWA will also undertake reg- DEWA and the Dubai School of Gov- parties. The contract aims to launch ular review of its success for continu- ernment. Through this joint signing a strong employee-oriented training ous improvements, where needed. today, we shall bring education to initiative to strengthen DEWA’s hu- “Entitled the Advanced Leadership the forefront, driving a culture of man capital development through Development Programme, this initi- innovation, creativity and improve- a series of workshops, seminars and ative has been launched to improve ment of our employees’ capabilities specialized training programs. performance and enhance the capa- by identifying the latest updates bilities of government employees, to across a range of fields. The Dubai HE Tariq Hilal Lootah, Executive Pres- support the rapid progress that School of Government’s Executive ident of the Dubai School of Gov- Dubai is making on all fronts. This Education Contract, is a testament ernment (DSG) highlighted the im- contract will serve the continuous to their expertise. Through this portance of training and educating enhancement and sustainable de- ground-breaking initiative, we shall Emiratis in field of energy. “Signing velopment of Dubai, in accordance be able to equip our associates with the executive education contract for with the directives of His Highness the skills they require across all fields the Advanced Leadership Develop- Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al – from Staff Management, Advanced ment Programme reflects DEWA’s Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Strategic Thinking and Leadership commitment to partnering with Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Skills, to Advanced Negotiation, fi- professional specialized universities Dubai,” said Al Tayer. “DEWA is com- and training institutions to enhance mitted to utilizing all available ef- nancial studies for non-financial its educational process. This will pro- forts and resources to further im- directors, the basics of macroeco- vide DEWA’s Emirati employees with prove the capabilities of all our nomics, dynamic governance and the necessary training to perform associates, while reinforcing our ex- risk management, amongst others. functional tasks assigned to them cellence-focused strategy. Through This relationship will enable our as- later and improve their knowledge this approach, we constantly engage sociates to play a critical role in im- and skills,” said Dr. Yousef Al Akraf, in active partnerships and MoUs proving the overall operations and Executive Vice President of Business with local and international organi- services of DEWA, subsequently Support at DEWA. zations, to develop operations in supporting the city’s efforts to cre- line with world-class standards to ate sustainable development,” said DSG will provide DEWA with on- become a sustainable world-class Al Tayer. ground support during visits to the utility,” added Al Tayer. UK for educational purposes by

“I would like to take the opportunity to thank the Dubai School of Government, and we are confident that, through this collaboration, we shall strengthen Dubai’s – and the UAE’s prosperity”

HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Managing Director & CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA)

DSGNEWS 5 Ask the Fellow: Aisha Sultan Al Shamsi

Aisha Al Shamsi

Aisha Sultan Al Shamsi joined sponsible for the development ment of the UAE and collected the Dubai School of Govern- of strategic partnerships with many high profile awards. We ment in January 2006. government departments as also managed to renew the well as private sector corpora- partnership with Dubai Electric- She had graduated from Zayed tions. I handle the preparation of ity and Water Authority (DEWA). University with a B.sc in Informa- proposals and government rela- These vital government organi- tion Systems and Applied Com- tions for Executive Education. zations are some of our top stra- munication from Zayed Univer- tegic partnerships. I would like to sity in 2004. She came with a How were the past few months stress that these achievements diverse experience in the private for you since officially assum- were not accomplished through sector particularly in the organi- ing this position? individual efforts, but rather the zation of events, exhibitions I have been working with Execu- fruit of excellent teamwork. and press conferences. Aisha’s tive Education for some time responsibilities also included What are your plans for 2013? even before I officially moved to fundraising as well as media re- this department. The past few I am working on the develop- lations. months saw me getting busier, ment of strategic government At DSG, she started with the of course. I am grateful for this partnerships in Dubai, the UAE in Events Department where she chance and trust from DSG’s general as well as the Arab world was responsible for fundraising senior management. Thank God, at large. We have just signed a for the DSG events. She later things have been going well so major contract with the Govern- moved to Development and far for me and for DSG’s Execu- ment of Libya to train senior and Planning where she worked tive Education. intermediate executives. closely with the Associate Dean Can you give us some examples What would you like to focus for Development and Planning of the achievements you have on this year? on fundraising events and stra- accomplished? tegic partnerships. In December I would like to focus on spread- 2012, Al Shamsi settled with Ex- 2012 was a very good year for ing knowledge, particularly lead- ecutive Education as a Manager. executive education. We signed ership skills through executive new contracts with the Depart- education courses. I would like Congratulations on your new ment of Finance (DoF), a long DSG to contribute to empower- role. Can you give us an idea time partner of ours, Sheikh ing the leaders of tomorrow in about your main responsibili- Zayed Housing Program (SZHP) the UAE and the Arab world. ties? which is a federal entity that Thank you. I am currently re- made strides in the develop-

6 DSGNEWS Swiss Expert Highlights Implications of Dispute Settlement for Foreign Direct Investments

Professor Ziegler

Foreign direct investment has Professor Andreas added: “The to enhance investor protection conventionally played a key role in growth in international trade and and attract further investment, driving businesses worldwide and is investment as a means of creating countries have concluded an ever- increasingly recognized as a major new economic opportunities in the growing number of international factor for economic development global economy, for both developed investment agreements (IIAs), and an important tool to enhance and developing countries, has which provide for international local competitiveness. In this led to a range of issues related to arbitration in cases of disputes context, bilateral and multilateral foreign investment. In this regard, between investors and host states. investment protection agreements special consideration needs to Additionally, many countries are increasingly coming into force in be given to the concerns of both include clauses for international order to provide a legal framework foreign investors and host countries arbitration in contracts they sign for such investment activities, with respect to dispute-settlement directly with individual foreign according to Professor Andreas R. procedures. investors for specific projects. This Ziegler, Chair in Public International has been the background behind a Law and Co-Director of the Master “Foreign investors have traditionally sharp rise in the number of cases of of Law Programme in International maintained that in developing investor-state arbitration in the last and European Economic and countries, investor-state disputes decade. Commercial Law at the University should be resolved by means of of Lausanne. global-standard dispute-settlement The increase in international mechanisms and procedures, with investment arbitration has Dr Ziegler’s comments came international arbitration at its apex. generated concerns regarding at a talk hosted at DSG on 21 This position is supported largely the ability of governments to November. Titled ‘Foreign Direct by arguments concerning the regulate economic activities within Investment and its Role for apparent fairness inherent in relying their borders, the high costs of Economic Development’, the upon independent international arbitration and compensation, the event highlighted the facilitating arbitrators, rather than upon state’s capacity to appropriately role that investor protection national courts that may be subject manage international investment agreements play in settling to the influence of executives in the arbitration and the prevention investor-state disputes, particularly host countries.” of frivolous claims. In response, through arbitration. Examining the some countries have introduced or main features of the settlement According to the United Nations strengthened policies to prevent mechanism, the session tracked Conference on Trade and investor-state disputes from the innumerable proceedings Development (UNCTAD) report emerging and escalating, and currently being handled around the on ‘Best Practices in Investment manage investor–state dispute world and studied their long term for Development 2011’, the last settlement (ISDS) proceedings consequences and relevance to the decade witnessed a considerable more effectively. GCC region. increase in the flow of foreign direct investment. As part of efforts

DSGNEWS 7 ‘Zayed Future Leaders’ Continues to Progress at DSG

Sheikh Zayed Housing Program – Zayed Future Leaders

DSG’s Executive Education completed five modules for the implementation of change in local institutions. the ‘Zayed Future Leaders’ training program for Sheikh Highlighting the steps for increasing productivity, the Zayed Housing Programme staff members between session examined the human aspect of change to iden- September and December 2012. tify ways of dealing with resistance to change. The train- Under the title ‘Problem Solving and Decision-Making’, ing focused on topics such as identification of global the two-day session held from 16 to 17 December high- and local drivers of change, the role of institutional lead- lighted the fundamentals of establishing and develop- ership in change management, change management ing a strategic approach to problem-solving and mana- tools to implement dynamic change. gerial decision-making. The course examined creative The session also outlined ways of accessing the best lo- approaches to addressing professional challenges and cal and global practices in change management at the identified ways to resolve conflict, particularly in human local government level, besides highlighting the inevi- resources management and operations. The theoretical tability of change. Additionally, participants were shown lectures were followed by practical exercises which took how to build capacity to successfully lead the process of place on December 23rd. institutional change. In October, the Strategic Management module took DSG’s initiative to host onsite training programs reiter- place from 14 to 16 October and Problem Solving and ates its commitment to building the capacity of next Decision Making from 26 to 27 October. The instructors generation leaders and collaborating with key public in- were Dr. Amr Abdullah and Dr. Wafi Dawoud, respec- stitutions to share best practices. HE Tariq Hilal Lootah, tively. DSG’s Executive President, said: “The School primarily Earlier in September, SZHP staff also participated in a seeks to upgrade governance levels and organizational change management course taught by strategic man- work among employees in the public sector. Towards agement expert Yasar Jarrar, Fellow Researcher at DSG this objective, we are committed to creating strategic and focused on the need for change management in the training opportunities and facilitating the exchange of current global work environment. In addition to exam- ideas to help identify relevant solutions to resolve prob- ining strategies and mechanisms, the module explored lems that employees face during their career.”

8 DSGNEWS Soha Ellaithy Discusses Impact of Education in Transforming Gender Norms among Young Adolescents

Soha Ellaithy addressing the audience

Research on adolescent development finds that pre-teen program demonstrated that even relatively brief curricu- and early teen years are especially important for the forma- lum interventions can empower very young adolescents tion of norms and the adoption of behaviours that persist to challenge the gender norms of their society and make in adulthood, according to Soha Ellaithy, Director of Gulf changes in their own lives in the direction of gender equity. Partnerships at Save the Children in Dubai. Boys who participated in the Nepal pilot showed a stag- She added: “Behaviours and norms embraced during child- gering drop in traditional gender role views. According to hood significantly influence adult lives on multiple fronts, Ellaithy, “The perception of traditional gender roles altered such as educational attainment, occupations and even dramatically among boys who participated in the CHOIC- health.” ES program. For instance, prior to the session, 45 percent of the boys thought it was acceptable for a man to hit his Ellaithy’s comments came during a presentation titled ‘Gen- wife while 60 percent believed that boys who helped with der and Educational Reform: Transforming Gender Norms chores at home are perceived as weak. At the conclusion of among Young Adolescents for Lasting Social Change’, held the sessions, these numbers dropped to 10 percent and 20 as part of DSG’s Gender and Public Policy Program Seminar percent respectively.” Series, on December 12. The series, which began in 2007, has been providing researchers, scholars and practitioners Ellaithy added: “The success of this pilot in Nepal has en- with a platform to share their research findings and views couraged Save the Children to adapt the content and bring on challenges facing women’s leadership and empower- it to the Arab world. We began with Egypt, where a pilot ment in the GCC and the wider Arab region. project has been implemented in a rural area in the south. The results are expected to be available in January 2013.” The seminar focused on how gender biases can be over- come and how shifts in gender norms can be made through “We are particularly pleased to have Soha Ellaithy present- specifically designed curriculum interventions that target ing on such a crucial and relatively understudied topic to- very young adolescent girls and boys aged 10-14 years old. day- it is the first time that our seminar series brings to the The seminar addressed these important questions through table a discussion on interventions at the childhood level,” a presentation of a project titled CHOICES, which was de- said Ghalia Gargani, Acting Director of the Gender and veloped by Save the Children and Georgetown University’s Public Policy Program Institute for Reproductive Health (IRH). Save the Children has worked in the Middle East since the CHOICES is a curriculum-based pilot program of creative, 1930s and currently has partnerships with organizations participatory activities and innovative evaluation tech- across the GCC such as ‘Dubai Cares’, ‘Salam Ya Seghar niques that was implemented over a three-month period Fund’ in Sharjah, the ‘Bokra Project’ in Sharjah and ‘Reach in Nepal and most recently in Egypt. The evaluation of the Out to Asia’ in Qatar.

DSGNEWS 9 DSG Takes Part in the 1st Government Summit as a Knowledge Partner

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, ment services under the UAE strategic role and prominent Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of status in all fields, and the qualitative leap witnessed by Dubai, has announced the launch of the first Government the government sector outlined by the prudent leadership Summit to be held on February 11-12, 2013. The summit, that seeks to empower the public sector and encourage it which will see the participation of leaders from both the towards excellence and pioneership in terms of systems, public federal and local sectors and representatives from performance and services so as to ensure a high quality life a range of international organizations and bodies as well for all citizens in line with the UAE Vision 2021. as international experts, will be held under the theme “To- As a knowledge partner, DSG’s Governance and Innovation wards Excellent Government Services.” Program will be producing publications and conducting Sheikh Mohammed said that the development and up- research on the national level to be presented in the sum- grading of government services to achieve full excellence mit panels. The school will also provide custom designed in all aspects of the government work comes on top of the Executive Education courses for selected summit partici- priorities of the federal government. Achieving this, he pants. said, requires concerted efforts, exchange of expertise and More than 1,000 personalities from federal and local gov- establishment of rules in order to provide excellent gov- ernment sectors will meet to discuss best practices, experi- ernment services that lead to the welfare of UAE society. ences and modern trends in government work, as well as He also stressed the importance of organizing the summit creative and innovative means to further develop govern- to be an ideal platform for the exchange of expertise and ment services in various sectors as well as many of the key sharpening of skills in order to achieve excellent govern- issues and themes dealing with government work.

“The Government is not an authority over people; it is rather an authority to serve people. Hence, the success indicator of a government is customers’ satisfaction.” His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum

DSG and DOF Conclude Financial Management Skills Course

HE Abdurrahman Al Saleh, Director General of the Department of Finance visiting one of the sessions, (left) 203 government employees from 19 government de- as part of an initiative by the Department of Finance partments completed their Financial Management in partnership with the Dubai School of Government Skills training course held at DSG. The course, which ran and Hamdan Bin Mohammed E-University. The initia- from 17 September up to 19 December, was launched tive included several training modules for new finance 10 DSGNEWS employees as well as non finance managers. It did not tor and Mr. Magdy Zayed, Consultant, at the Financial offer only theoretical background but also included Audit Department and Dr. Aly Tawfik Al Sadek, Senior a practical component which allowed participants to Economist at Dubai Economic Council. Participating apply the new skills they learnt immediately after the government entities included: Roads and Transport course. The faculty for this course were Dr. Shukri Al Authority, Dubai Courts, Department of Economic De- Ashmawi, Director of the Fiscal Policy Division, Mr. Ibra- velopment, Public Prosecution, Dubai Culture and Arts him Abu Seif, Director of the Financial Studies Division, Authority, the Executive council, Civil Aviation, Dubai Mr. Mustafa Mangoud, Director of the Internal Audit- Egovernment, Dubai Statistics Center, Dubai Customs ing Division, Mr. Ahmed al Sawi, Director of the Internal and the Ruler’s Court. Transactions Division, Mr. Hani el Suhaiti, Statisician at the Department of Finance, Dr. Ihab Zaki, Senior Audi-

Second Batch of the Islamic Affairs Leaders Program Graduates

Graduates with HE. Dr. Hamad Shaikh Shaibani, Director General, Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities, HE Tariq Hilal Lootah, Executive President, Dubai School of Government and Dr. Bassem Younis, Director of Academic Affairs.

DSG’s Executive Education held the graduation cer- HR development, Dr. Amr Abdalla, Expert-policy and emony for the second batch of the Islamic Affairs Lead- planning and Dr. Naceur Jabnoun, Senior Consultant, ers program on 3 October. HE Tariq Hilal Lootah gave Sheikh Saqr Program for Government excellence, Ras an opening speech in which he congratulated 15 stu- Al Khaimah. The program featured six modules, with dents on completing the requirements for the Leaders one taken up for study per month. The modules fo- program. HE Dr. Hamad Alshibany, Director General cused on Analytical Thinking, Problem Solving and De- of the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Depart- cision Making, Leadership, Creativity and Innovation, ment praised the performance of the 15 graduates. Planning and Organizing, as well as Excellence in Man- The graduation ceremony was followed by a banquet agement. Participants were expected to successfully dinner. complete the module assigned to the month prior to The Leaders program had begun in December 2011and progressing to the next. Each component was divided ran until May 2012. The faculty included Dr. Ayman into three stages. The session commenced with a talk Metwaly, Associate Professor-Arab Academy for Sci- providing an overview of the subject. Subsequently, ence & Technology, College of Management & Tech- participants were tasked to prepare a project that re- nology, Dr. Wafi Dawood, Chief of Institutional Devel- flected the core concepts of the module. Finally, pro- opment, the Knowledge and Human Development jects were reviewed in the concluding segment of the Authority (KHDA), Mr. Shaker Al Monthery, consultant, programme.

DSGNEWS 11 Forthcoming Publications

For more information please visit our website www.dsg.ae

Aisha Zayed Al Ali Aging in the UAE Society and Services for Elderly People.

Ghalia Gargani and May al Dabbagh Rethinking Women Leadership Development Programs in the UAE.

Ghalia Gargani and May al Dabbagh Women and Globalization in the GCC: Negotiating States, Agency and Social Change. About the Dubai School of Government Mhamed Biygautane The Dubai School of Government (DSG) is a research The Experiences of Sub-Saharan Africa and the Maghreb and teaching institution focusing on public policy. region with South- South Cooperation region: Missed Established in 2005 under the patronage of His opportunities and the way forward. Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Mhamed Biygautane and Khalid AlYahya Emirates and Ruler of Dubai, DSG aims to promote Innovation for Integrated Service Delivery: good governance through enhancing the capacity for The Case of SADAD in Saudi Arabia. effective public policy in the United Arab Emirates and the region. Mhamed Biygautane, The Public Sector Series: Toward this goal, the Dubai School of Government • The Rudiments for an Effective Training Strategy: also collaborates with regional and global institutions Practical Insights from Dubai Government’s in delivering its research and training programs. In Experience. addition, the School organizes policy forums and international conferences to facilitate the exchange of • Training during Times of Financial Constraints: ideas and promote critical debate on public policy at the Lessons from the Case of Dubai’s Public Sector. national and regional levels. The School is committed to the creation of knowledge, • The Impact of Effective Training on Organizational the dissemination of best practice and the training of Performance in Dubai’s public sector. policy makers in the UAE and the region. To achieve this mission, the School is developing strong capabilities to support research and teaching programs, including Upcoming events • applied research in public policy and management; For more information please visit our website • master’s degrees in public policy and public administration; www.dsg.ae • executive education for senior officials and Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, 13- 17 January, Abu Dhabi. executives; and The Government Summit, 11-12 February, Madinat • knowledge forums for scholars and policy makers. Jumeira, Dubai. The 2nd Arab Conference on Human Resources: A Strategic Partner in Work and Institutional Development, 12-13 March Editor: Heba Shaaban 2013, DWTC, Dubai.

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