Dubai School of Government for decision-makers launched

A world-class knowledge institution is to open in the Dubai World Trade Centre in March.

The Dubai School of Government (DSG), the first of its kind in the region, was launched during the Arab Strategy Forum under the directives of General Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and UAE Minister of Defence.

The DSG's aim is to further the study and practice of government by working with international scholars and cultivating regional expertise.

"The leaders of tomorrow are our focus and the foundation of the future. Our duty is to advance their skills and knowledge to continually enhance the quality of public administration," Shaikh Mohammad said.

The DSG has been set up with the help of Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government (KSG).

Together with the KSG it will provide leading executive education programmes for regional decision-makers and advance public management through comprehensive research and analysis.

Knowledge exchange on public policy issues through forums and conferences and shared expertise of world leaders through lectures will also be an integral part of the DSG's yearly programme.

"This relationship represents an important effort between our schools and our countries.

"Both institutions and nations will benefit from the combination of scholarly thought and regional perspective that this effort will allow," said Dean David Ellwood of the KSG.

"There is a need for governments and global institutions in the region to develop a higher level of efficiency and effectiveness in public service management.

"Officials in all governments are under increased pressure to produce results for their citizens.

"The challenge facing the leaders of any government institution is to ratchet up performance in a way that produces results that citizens value and that generates the resources and flexibility needed to do even better in the future.

"Citizens want results. They crave results and expect better performance from their governments. The e-government initiative in Dubai is a clear example of achieving valuable results for our citizens," said Mohammad Al Gergawi, Secretary-General of the Dubai Executive Council, who announced the launch of the institution.

He said the DSG would, through its research, public-policy conferences and executive education programmes, provide key information that public executives could use to develop strategies for improving performance in their respective countries.

"The KSG will be a leading international centre for scholarship and teaching on effective public problem solving and leadership. Our cooperation with the KSG ensures the transfer of international talent and expertise.

"It further provides us with an opportunity to address pertinent policy issues in the region," Al Gergawi said.

DSG staff would be dedicated to working with the region's governments to help improve the public service infrastructure, he said.

This, in turn, would have a positive impact on the overall enhancement of public governance in the region, ultimately benefiting corporate development and citizens alike, he said.

Speaking to Gulf News, Nabeel Al Yousuf, Director of Government Excellence and Economic Affairs in the Executive Office said: "The DSG is the first of its kind in the region. The first programme starts next March.

"All our programmes and seminars will be tutored by top ranking officials, undersecretaries, ministers and senior executives from the UAE and Arab world.

"It is true that we are partners with the KSG however, we will conceptualise knowledge to local content to match our environment."

Al Yousuf said the DSG would first be concentrating on research, a master's programme in public administration and public policy would be introduced in 2008.

Objectives
Institute to start its first programme in March

- Dubai School of Government (DSG) aims to develop a higher level of efficiency in public service management.

- DSG is established with the assistance of Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government (KSG), an institute dedicated to enhancing public sector management by developing talented leaders.

- DSG will provide key information that public executives can use to develop strategies for performance improvements in their respective countries.

- The institute aims to achieve this through its research, public policy conferences and executive education programmes.

- The programmes and seminars will be aimed at top ranking officials, undersecretaries, ministers and senior executives from the UAE and Arab world.

- DSG will be located in the Dubai World Trade Centre and the first programme starts in March.