Recently, the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources held the second "Master Class" within "Jahiz" initiative for the future of government talent, which was launched by the UAE government in late 2022. This initiative aimed at enhancing the readiness of national cadres and talents in the federal government for the future, and empowering them with the new skills required to design the future and benefit from its opportunities through an integrated digital platform for future skills supporting the government's readiness for the future.
The session was entitled "Leadership in Government Digital Transformation". It was attended by more than 80 leaders in the federal government, and hosted HE Omar bin Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications, and Mr. "Sim Sikot", former CEO of Information Technology at Government of Estonia.
In the opening speech of the Master Class, His Excellency Omar bin Sultan Al Olama confirmed that the experience of the United Arab Emirates in the field of digital transformation and the provision of smart government services is rich and unique. Furthermore, many countries of the world have a great interest in such experience thanks to the follow-up and directives of our wise leadership, headed by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State, and his brother, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai.
His Excellency indicated that UAE was at the forefront of countries that employed its large technological capabilities in developing systems and mechanisms for government work as well as provided customers with government institutions with a qualitative experience that you rarely find an equal. He also stressed the importance of benefiting from the outputs of the fourth industrial revolution, the tremendous technological progress in various fields, and the artificial intelligence solutions that serve the people and achieve prosperity and well-being for societies and individuals alike.
On his part, His Excellency Ibrahim Fikri, Executive Director of the Support Services Sector at the Authority, who in turn was in charge of managing the session, explained that "Jahiz" Platform represents a new model for government work, focusing on raising levels of readiness for the future, and fortifying government cadres with its skills. It is one of the leading national initiatives in developing and empowering government human resources, enhancing their capabilities, and qualifying them to keep pace with the rapid global changes, anticipate future opportunities, and contribute to creating a better future for the country.
On his part, "Sim Sikot", former CEO of Information Technology in the Government of Estonia, viewed the Estonian government's experience in the field of digital transformation, and the most prominent principles and effective practical applications that it adopted to reach the current situation in terms of leadership and progress. He also talked about the opportunities and challenges that surround the government digital transformation.
He pointed out that digital transformation in the provision of government services has become an urgent necessity in light of the massive technological revolution that the world is witnessing, and the increasing reliance on artificial intelligence technologies in many areas of business and vital sectors. Noting that the credit for the impressive success achieved by the government of Estonia in terms of digital transformation is due to the leadership’s clear visions and ambitious plans.
He also stated that Estonia has employed technological technologies with unparalleled ability in many fields, and in innovative ways that meet the needs of the various categories of customers. It has developed an integrated digital platform that offers hundreds of government services at the click of a button. He also stressed that the successive technological developments have contributed significantly to changing the existing work systems and tools in the institutions of the public and private sectors.
He also stressed the importance of governments conducting a comprehensive and continuous review of the services they provide to customers, with the aim of upgrading them and enriching customers' experiences focusing on users' aspirations and needs when launching any new government service, and designing such services from the users' perspective.
Jahiz .. Four Main Skill Groups that include Twenty Skills for the Future
"Jahiz" initiative, which covers all federal government employees, seeks to qualify and enable the government work team to keep pace with the requirements of a rapidly changing world, and to understand new issues and emerging areas that will have a significant impact on shaping the future of the country and creating a better tomorrow for future generations.
"Jahiz" digital platform provides four groups of future skills that include 20 skills for the future, to be completed within a year. The main skill set includes: digital skills, X 10 skills to enhance productivity and accelerate delivery, in addition to data and artificial intelligence skills, and new economy skills.
The platform includes a digital portfolio of future skills for each government employee, which represents a comprehensive profile that links the employee's achievement in acquiring skills with job performance. Participants in the platform receive achievement badges upon completing the requirements of future skills.
The outputs of "Jahiz" initiative have recently been approved within the criteria for evaluating the Mohammed bin Rashid Award for Excellence in Government Performance, specifically the criterion for readiness for the future, as well as within the system of human resources enablers in the federal government, and the job performance evaluation system.