His Excellency Dr. Abdulrahman Al Awar, Director General of the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources confirmed that the UAE has become in a short time a major destination for competencies and talents from all over the world, and a Mecca for creative and innovative people from around the globe. They perceive our country as the model rarely matched by other countries with regard to nurturing talented people, ever seen in many countries of the world, in terms of providing such people with maximum care and support for fulfilling their ambitions and creative ideas into tangible results.
His Excellency explained that the rapid advances of the UAE at various levels and in all fields, especially in the field of innovation, were not born of the moment and did not materialize in a vacuum, but rather were the result of unlimited support, attention and noble care given by the wise leadership of the state to this important aspect. He cited the declaration His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan "may God protect him" that this year, 2015, shall be the year of innovation, and the allocation of a national week for innovation by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, to celebrate innovation, innovators and achievements and promote innovation culture in all institutions and sectors.
The statements of Dr. Al Awar came during his speech inaugurating the events and activities of the Innovation Week in FAHR, which was attended by the managing directors of sectors and departments and FAHR employees in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Several internal innovative activities were organized and a number of creative projects and initiatives, with innovative dimensions, were launched, as well as workshops and contests.
The Director General said that the UAE Innovation Week is a testament to the great strides made by the country and the tireless efforts exerted to support innovation and creativity in various business sectors, by caring for innovative ideas and creative and talented employees. It has become a role model in this area. He also pointed out that this occasion of the Innovation Week has being turned into a national ceremony and an ideal platform bringing together creative and innovative employees from various public and private sector organizations and individuals, with the purpose of fulfilling the directives and aspirations of the wise leadership of the United Arab Emirates, and UAE Vision 2021.
He stressed the importance of instituting a culture of innovation in various spheres of life as innovation plays a significant role in improving the way of life of individuals, and upgrading the quality of services provided by public and private sector institutions to clients. He called upon federal government employees, in particular, and all employees, in general, to adopt innovation as a way of carrying out work and a life approach, not only at the professional level, but on a personal level as well.
He pointed out that the UAE Innovation Week aims at strengthening the position of the United Arab Emirates as a global hub for innovation, capacity building and the dissemination of a culture of innovation within the state, and motivate government entities, the private sector and individuals to adopt innovative practices. It also involves the launch and implementation of initiatives and innovative quality ideas. He extended his thanks to all FAHR employees who have worked continuously and in the spirit of one team in preparation for the Innovation Week.
During the celebration, the Director-General of FAHR has launched the online website entirely dedicated to the issue of innovation. He also has inaugurated “Innovation Oasis” which includes Ideas Wall and overview on the most prominent FAHR innovative projects, such as “Smart Goals Bank”, the discount program for FAHR employees known as “Imtyazat”, the online forum in partnership with LinkedIn Network, “Maarif” initiative for the preferred training providers partners in the federal government, “Qudrat” initiative for the preferred evaluation providers partners in the federal government and the “ Ma Qassart” card for appreciation of good performance. That is in addition to the various smart applications and the smart self-service system.
The launch of the digital library
Within the events and activities of the Innovation Week, FAHR has launched the digital library through the internal gateway for the employees, which allows them to read and borrow books on various literary, religious, historical, cultural and political fields. The digital library aims at helping employees to be acquainted with different cultures and disciplines, as well as developing self-learning skills on the part of federal employees.
Formation of the Knights of Innovation Team
FAHR has formed early this year the “Knights of Innovation Team” chaired by the director of the Department of Strategic Planning and Institutional Excellence and membership of a number of managing directors and heads of sections within FAHR. The team undertakes the tasks of developing an innovation plan within the authority, including its initiatives and activities and the follow up of its implementation and coordination with concerned entities within or outside FAHR, in addition to proposing mechanisms that contribute to stimulating employees to be innovative.