Mohammed Bin Rashid Center for Government Innovation launches Professional Development Programme in Public Sector Innovation

•    MOU signed with University of Cambridge Judge Business School

Dubai, UAE, 29 January 2015: Mohammed Bin Rashid Center for Government Innovation (MBRCGI) launched Professional Development Programme in Public Sector Innovation, as a part of its efforts to support Emirati talents and provide them with the knowledge, skills and experience to activate their role in promoting innovation culture in government entities.

MBRCGI also signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the University of Cambridge Judge Business School, which will provide training for Emirati talents through the integrated one-year program starting from April. Those who complete the Professional Development Programme in Public Sector Innovation successfully will be given certificates from MBRCGI and University of Cambridge Judge Business School.

The signing ceremony was attended by H.E. Mohammad Abdulla Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs; and Ohood Al Roumi, Director-General of the Prime Minister's Office at the Ministry of Cabinet Affairs. The MOU was signed by Huda Al Hashemi, executive director at MBRCGI, and ‏Peter Hiscocks, CEO at Executive Education, University of Cambridge Judge Business School, in presence of government officials and representatives.

Huda Al Hashemi said this announcement comes in line with the directives of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, naming 2015 as the Year of Innovation. It also aims to achieve the vision of His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, who launched UAE’s National Innovation Strategy to make the UAE one of the most innovative countries in the world within seven years.

The program will start with 50 participants selected on the basis of high-efficiency standards. It will include a comprehensive range of training activities, workshops, field visits and practical applications that will provide the participants with the capability to perform their work innovatively to meet the requirements of future governments.

The program consists of 6 pillars: Innovation principles in the public sector, Access mechanisms to ideas and innovation, Innovation strategy and implementation mechanisms, Innovation and project management, Innovation in services development, Establishing innovation culture and innovative leadership.

She also highlighted this partnership with Cambridge Judge Business School, which has developed a strong reputation for innovation management teaching. The business school has successful experience through its executive education programmes, working with organizations in both the private and public sectors on their innovation needs.

“Cambridge Judge Business School at the University of Cambridge is delighted to collaborate with the Ministry for Cabinet Affairs, Prime Minister’s Office, UAE and the Mohammed bin Rashid Centre for Government Innovation on the design and delivery of an important Professional Development Programme in Public Sector Innovation. As a fully integrated part of a world renowned University with a heritage of innovation and discovery encompassed by over 88 Nobel Prize winners and ground-breaking research contributions, Cambridge Judge Business School is internationally recognised as one of the leading providers of innovative, intellectually challenging and practical business management education,” said ‏Peter Hiscocks.

“We are proud to be involved in the assessment and selection of high potential UAE public sector executives, who will, through actively participating on the programme, develop and hone their leadership and innovation skills and become innovation champions within their governmental organisations after successful programme completion,” he added.