Innovation at the heart of UAE’s future

Dubai: The UAE has entered a new era of progress ahead of its 44th National Day (December 2), powered by a special focus on innovation.

In October 2014, the seven-year National Innovation Strategy to have the UAE ranked among the top countries in innovation by the UAE’s Golden Jubilee in 2021, was announced. It was launched by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

Two days before the National Day in 2014, the UAE Cabinet, in a meeting held at the historic Fujairah Fort and chaired by Shaikh Mohammad, announced 2015 as the Year of Innovation, in line with the directives of President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Since then, innovation has taken centre stage in initiatives announced by the UAE leadership and government departments. The year has been marked by seminars, labs, training, diplomas and international agreements focused on innovation.

In fact, every government department now is required to have a CEO of Innovation to oversee progress towards the National Innovation Strategy.

In August this year, while announcing the first UAE Innovation Week (November 22-28), Shaikh Mohammad had said: “Innovation is not an option but a necessity. It is not a culture but a work style, and governments and companies that do not innovate risk losing their competitiveness and falling far behind.”

He had added: “Innovation offers a new method of functioning for UAE’s vital sectors. We will assess the progress achieved in the adoption of this method through the UAE Innovation Week.”

In April, Shaikh Mohammad launched the Government Innovation Diploma, offered by the Mohammad Bin Rashid Centre for Government Innovation in cooperation with the UK’s Cambridge University.

A total of 50 executive officials from 36 federal and local government departments are part of the first batch undertaking the one-year diploma programme.

Earlier, during the Government Summit in February, Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, had announced that the federal government was launching seven educational initiatives in schools and universities, with the aim of promoting innovation, including robot labs and an annual national innovation exhibition.

Shaikh Mansour had also announced a new job post — Chief Executive Officer of Innovation — to be set up in every government agency.

As far back as last August, initiatives were already under way to complement the National Innovation Strategy.

Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, had approved the launch of the Dubai Innovative Strategy involving 20 initiatives to be implemented over the next three years, to make Dubai the world’s most innovative city.

Abu Dhabi also initiated projects and events in line with the Innovation Strategy and Year of Innovation. Off to a flying start at the beginning of the year was the announcement of Solar Impulse 2, a round-the-world flight from Abu Dhabi entirely powered by the sun. January also witnessed the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2015 focused on innovative solutions to preserving resources and fighting climate change.

Last week, Mohammad Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and Chairman of the National Innovation Committee, said in a statement: “The UAE today is not the same as it was in 2014, when Shaikh Mohammad mobilised all government and private sectors to explore new avenues to build a creative society capable of coping with rapid changes.”

The committee was formed last year to implement the National Innovation Strategy.

Many of those avenues were explored during the course of the year and each participating government department will showcase their innovative services during the Innovation Week that begins today.

Mohammad Bin Rashid Quote:

“Innovation is not an option but a necessity. It is not a culture but a work style, and governments and companies that do not innovate risk losing their competitiveness and falling far behind.”

His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai,

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Milestones

November 30, 2014: In line with the directives of President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Cabinet approves 2015 as the Year of Innovation

January 29: Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, launches Dubai Innovation Hub to enhance cooperation with leading international companies.

February 11: During the Government Summit in February, Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, announces seven innovative educational initiatives, along with the creation of a new Chief Executive Officer of Innovation post in every government agency.

March 9: Solar Impulse 2 takes off from Abu Dhabi in historic round-the-world flight without using a drop of fuel

April 26: Shaikh Mohammad launches the Government Innovation Diploma, offered by the newly formed Mohammad Bin Rashid Centre for Government Innovation in cooperation with the UK’s Cambridge University.

November 22-28: UAE holds first Innovation Week, launching some 850 activities and initiatives by more than 210 federal and local government and private bodies