Sultan Bin Ahmed Al Qassimi: We Aim to Build a Solid Government Communication Base

SMC Launches Training Program for Improving Government Communication

Sharjah Media Centre-Sharjah-UAE: October 29, 2013 - Sharjah Media Centre (SMC) on Monday launched a training program for workers in the government communication sector, including all departments and institutions affiliated to the Government of Sharjah, in the presence of. The program is aimed at developing work mechanisms and improving government communication in Sharjah, as well as achieving and encouraging better ways of coordination and cooperation between government entities.

The launch was done in the presence of Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qassimi, Chairman of SMC, Major General Humaid Mohammed Al Hudaidi, General Commander of Sharjah Police, Dr. Abdullah Al Suwaiji, Chairman of the Sharjah Educational Board and Member of the Sharjah Executive Council, and Osama Samra, Director of SMC, as well as the heads and directors of the government entities involved in the first phase of the Sharjah government communication assessment project implemented by SMC's Government Communication Unit (GCU).

Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qassimi praised the support provided by the Sharjah Executive Council under the chairmanship of His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah. He also hailed the support extended by the various government departments to the GCU, contributing to the achievement of the Unit's objectives and the activation of its programs, which are meant to serve Sharjah.

The training program comes as part of the GCU's plans and initiatives designed to establish a solid base for government communication in Sharjah.

Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qassimi highlighted the achievements of the one-year-old GCU, including, most importantly, building a strategic communication system whose elements think with one mind, speak with one voice and pursue the same goals, launching the first effective government communication network to cover all government departments in Sharjah and setting out an agenda for government events.

The Chairman of SMC added: “One of the significant achievements that we, in the Government Communication Unit, take pride in is the great confidence that we have been given by Sharjah's government departments and institutions. This confidence is evident in the constant communication we have been receiving from government communication and media professionals.”

Osama Samra, Director of SMC, stressed the importance of the training program for improving the performance of government communication and media professionals. He cited the advantages of cooperation between Sharjah's various government entities, including the achievement of the GCU's objectives emanating from the vision and guidance of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, UAE Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah.

Taking part in the first phase of the training program are communication and media professionals from 15 government entities, namely the General Command of Sharjah Police, Sharjah Department of Culture and Information, Sharjah Housing Department, Sharjah Department of Public Works, Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority, Sharjah Municipality, Sharjah Department of Economic Development, Sharjah Department of Social Services and Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), as well as Sharjah Health Authority, Sharjah Educational Board, Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority, Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Sharjah Department of Planning and Survey and the Administration of Children Centers .

The training program is targeted at government employees engaged in strategic communication, media relations, digital media, media monitoring, events, protocol, government relations, public relations and media office.

The GCU conducted a comprehensive assessment of communication structure and capabilities at 15 government entities in Sharjah, designed a government support program to improve the performance of those entities, and is currently working on the launch of the second phase of the government communication assessment project, which is comprised of three phases.