Microsoft Launches Right 2 Learn Initiative With Besix Foundation

Microsoft Gulf signed a MoU with Besix Foundation for launching the “Right 2 Learn” initiative at an event to reaffirm support for civil society organisations(Non Government organisations) in the UAE. This partnership is aimed at training blue collar workers in construction shelters in UAE to develop basic computer skills that are essential in everyday life to develop new social and economic opportunities for themselves, their families, and their communities. Besix Foundation operates within the Besix Group which is the largest Belgian construction group comprising of a conglomerate of companies active in the construction, engineering, environmental, real estate and concession sectors in the UAE.

At the event, Microsoft also recognized UAE civil society organizations for raising public awareness on the use of technology. Microsoft actively partners with Civil Society organizations for helping people realize their full potential by leveraging technology innovation to address national social and economic priorities.

Mr. Samer Abu-Ltaif, Regional General Manager, Microsoft Gulf, expressed Microsoft’s commitment in helping civil society organizations by stating “Our strategy is built around ensuring our support to non-profit organizations to help advancing their operations and outreach through the innovative and appropriate use of technology. This approach enables us to offer a comprehensive set of services, products, and tools that are relevant to the communities NGOs serve.”

According to Dr. Zaki Khoury, Business Manager – Gulf, “We are delighted to partner with Besix Foundation and sign a memorandum of understanding to train their blue collar workers on Microsoft Digital Literacy Curriculum. The event is also an opportunity for us to renew and support our partnership with various civil society organizations in UAE.”

Mr Philippe Dessoy, General Manager, Besix, stated that “Technology can be a powerful tool for advancing social and economic development, enabling people to get a better education and learn new skills to earn a living. We welcome Microsoft’s involvement and commend their strong commitment to supporting our Foundations’ attempts to give our workers a brighter future.”

Microsoft is helping to enhancing the role of civil society in UAE by providing them with access to stable and secure IT, services, solutions, and training on courses such as Microsoft digital literacy curriculum. To drive transformational change, Microsoft also forms strategic alliances with leading organizations and consortiums to explore how technology can create social and economic opportunity in new, effective, and potentially scalable ways.

 

Three Training Programs Launched Through Majid Bin Mohammed Training Initiative During Careers UAE 2011

In a climate of increasing competition and change, there is a need to provide ideal working environments to attract local talent and encourage creativity and excellence. It is in light of the ongoing efforts of His Highness Sheikh Majid bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Chairman of the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority, to encourage qualified nationals to participate in the labour market that the Private Office of His Highness has announced its participation in Careers UAE 2011 for the third consecutive year in order to launch the Majid bin Mohammed UAE Nationals Training Initiative.

Careers UAE 2011, in its 11th edition, is being held from 21 to 23 March, at the Dubai World Trade Centre, under the auspices of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice-President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai. The most affluent recruitment, education and training event for all UAE nationals, it is considered to be an event of the utmost importance as it contributes to the empowerment of UAE nationals by providing suitable employment opportunities along with its promotion of Emiratisation.

Within this framework, Careers UAE is the perfect platform to launch the comprehensive training initiative aimed at strengthening the confidence of young nationals and securing their future, thus providing stability and improved livelihoods for themselves and their families. Under this initiative, young nationals are given a choice to join between three programs: Management Training Program, National Coaching Program, and Initiatives Management Training. The Management Training Program allows young candidates the opportunity to experience professional training in leading global companies; the program starts in June for a period of no less than six months. The National Coaching Program will also commence in June for a period of no less than three months, allowing qualified nationals a chance to train intensively to hone their skills, among a group of leading national companies in the country. The Initiatives Management Training program provides an opportunity for its members to participate in an array of future initiatives throughout the year.

The ultimate strength of the initiatives is that they open the doors for professional training opportunities for all qualified UAE nationals, as they work under the guidance of major companies, institutions, and consultancies, and private institutions. This will equip them with the right skills and requirements to secure the best jobs in the market. This is noteworthy because it has been shown through studies that training leads to improved and enhanced performance, which in turn translates to increased wages by as much as 4 to 11%. Companies that hire trained employees will also bear the fruit of this success with increased profit rates brought in by more efficient employees. The same studies also show that an increase in training expenditure by 10% translates into an increase in productivity of up to 3%, which ultimately means training programmes are of vital importance when it comes to Emaratisation in various business sectors across the UAE. This initiative will also interject more qualified nationals into the labour market, and promote local production.

The initiative is being held in partnership with major global and national consulting firms and companies including: "Deloitte Middle East", "Ernst & Young", "IMG", "KPMG", "Price Waterhouse Coopers", "Profiles International Middle East,” "Desert Group", the Emirates Medical Group, "Sharaf DG," and “Saeed and Mohammed Al Naboodah Group of Companies”. These partnerships ensure that the training programmes are operated according to the highest International standards.

Through this initiative, Careers UAE 2011 will provide the ideal platform to improve and hone in on the skills of young nationals allowing them a competitive edge in the market by meeting with a range of exhibitors who specialize in training and human development. They will also be able to meet face to face with representatives of leading national and international companies to achieve their desired employment aspirations.

Applications and interviews for admission into the different programs of the initiative will be carried out during Careers UAE 2011, 21-23 March, at the pavilion of the Private Office of His Highness Sheikh Majid bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
 

Mcilroy Seizes Early Initiative; Woods Six Shots Off The Pace

Rory McIlroy seized the early momentum in the Omega Dubai Desert Classic, leaving the Big Three – Lee Westwood, Martin Kaymer and Tiger Woods — trailing in his wake at the sun-drenched Emirates Golf Club on Thursday.

The world number seven from Northern Ireland fired a solid seven-under-par 65, carding eight birdies, including four in a row around the turn, to take a two-shot lead over Spain’s Sergio Garcia and Thomas Aiken of South Africa. Snapping on their heels a further shot back were a group of six, led by England’s Steve Webster.

World number one Westwood and number two Kaymer, playing along with Woods, the world number three, stayed in the striking distance of the leaders on three under 69. Woods needed to eagle the 18th to move into the red figure (one under) after struggling to string together his round despite a blazing birdie-birdie start.

"It was one of those days when I had to fight hard. Overall, it was a scratchy round," said Woods, who is chasing his third title in Dubai to match the feat of Ernie Els, the only other multiple winner of the Omega Dubai Desert Classic.

"Unfortunately, I got to two-over-par on two different occasions. I was two-over early, but I got it back with birdies on 10 and 11. I threw it right away again with a double on 12 before getting back to one under par for the day. I think I struggled with my trajectory control," said Woods who used back-to-back three wood to reach the green in two on the closing 18th and gently holed in for an eagle.

"When you get wind like this, you have to hit the ball on the perfect trajectory, something which I didn’t," said the 14-time major winner, who at present, is working on his fourth swing change of his career with Sean Foley of Canada.

"But then I’m only six back, and tomorrow we have fresh greens and probably a bit less wind than what we had this afternoon, so hopefully I can do the same thing tomorrow morning," he said.

Unlike Woods, Westwood played solidly without making too many mistakes. He could have done even better, but played one over for the last two holes. "One under would have been nice," said the world number one.

It was McIlroy, who stole the thunder. "Today was good," the 21-year-old McIlroy said. "I really had a lot of iron shots and got away with a couple of drives that I was quite fortunate to make birdies from. I had a putt for a 64 on the last that didn’t quite go in. but I’ll take 65 in these conditions any day," said McIlroy, who won his first European Tour title in Dubai in 2009.

 

 

 

Princess Haya Initiative Joins Hands With Landmark Groups Beat Diabetes Initiative To Launch The First Official Dubai Schools Football League

Princess Haya Initiative for the Development of Health, Physical Education and School Sports, which is a implemented by Dubai School Agency of the Knowledge and Human Development Association (KHDA), today launched the first official Dubai Schools Football League in tie-up with Beat Diabetes, Landmark Group’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative.

The Dubai Schools Football League will see students from over 48 schools teams demonstrating their talents in the most popular game in the world and showing their commitment to physical activity. In addition to 32 boys’ school teams playing 11-a-side matches, the championship will also witness 16 girl school teams competing in seven-a-side matches; the games will be played at school grounds and major clubs across Dubai. The finals for both leagues will be played on 28 February.

Alongside the league matches, Landmark Group’s Beat Diabetes initiative will host health camps in schools. The campaign aims to encourage students to implement an active lifestyle and educate them about the dangers of juvenile diabetes and conduct a nutrition assessment as well as diabetes tests for children. The health camps that run from February – May will use safe and non-intrusive procedures such as Basal Metabolic Index (BMI) testing that will be conducted by qualified physicians from Zulekha Hospitals who are the medical partner for this initiative.

Fatma Al-Marri, CEO, Knowledge and Human Development Association (KHDA), said: “We have been implementing the Princess Haya Initiative in public schools since 2007. In addition to giving a new dimension to Physical Education (PE) programmes, the initiative has also increased student participation. In the larger context, it seeks to instill the benefits of a healthy, active lifestyle among students and offer them an opportunity to experience a variety of physical activities.

“The support of Landmark Group’s Beat Diabetes campaign for the Dubai Schools Football League
Championship is crucial. Its shared mission of encouraging physical activities to fight diabetes, which poses a growing concern for all age groups, remains one of the main objectives of the Princess Haya Initiative.”

Renuka Jagtiani, Vice Chairperson, Landmark Group, who spearheads the Group’s Beat Diabetes initiatives, said: “Over the past few years, we have all become far more aware of the serious health risk that childhood obesity and juvenile diabetes pose. Through our Beat Diabetes campaign, we proactively seek opportunities to support credible public health initiatives. We respect the efforts made by the Princess Haya Initiative for School Sports and are proud to partner with them for the Dubai School Football League.”

Ahmad Abdul-Rahman, Project Manager of Princess Haya Initiative for the Development of Health, Physical Education and School Sports said: “Dubai Schools Football League is a part of our objective to restructure the school sports system for school children. We have commenced the initiative with football as the game holds high appeal among all age categories. However, we aim to add a new sport each year. We are fortunate to have over 200 nationalities living in Dubai, and we hope to see students from all cultures come together in a spirit of sportsmanship for a common cause.”

The Dubai Schools Football League is supported by Channel 4 Network and Zulekha Hospitals.
 

Majid Bin Mohammed Training Initiative Draws Significant Interest From Young Nationals During Careers UAE 2011

The Majid bin Mohammed Training Initiative is proving to be a pivotal success, as illustrated by the influx of candidates and the significant number of applications that have been received at the stand of The Private Office of His Highness Sheikh Majid bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum at Careers UAE 2011.

Marwan bin Bayat, General Manager of the Office of HH Sheikh Majid, said: “Today’s business environment is constantly evolving and advancing, with immense pressure on organizations, employees, and potential candidates to stay versed with new developments. The initiative was conceptualized to equip UAE nationals with the tools required to stay on top of the competition and as a gateway into leading companies and a beneficial career.”

Visitors are able to interact with HR managers and recruitment executives from 10 leading global and national companies for a chance to join their ranks, with comprehensive assessments carried out by “Profiles International”, one of the prestigious partners. In a bid to ensure the highest standards feasible, and to aid in the selection process, candidates will undergo Psychometric testing that will objectively measure candidate attributes and subsequently direct their abilities along the most appropriate career path. A select 20 applicants will also be chosen to carry out a one week seminar to become ‘Certified Psychometric Assessors’ themselves.

Bin Bayat, added: “These assessments work to benefit the employer and the employee. The employer is given a competitive edge as they are able to select, hire, and retain great talent that will continue to develop over time; and the employees who will be directed to roles that match their skills, and their aptitudes, beginning their journey on the right path.”

The initiative is creating paramount opportunities for nationals as they are able to coalesce with prime organizations for a chance at an internship or career with leading organizations including the foremost four accounting and auditing firms in the world, "Deloitte", "Ernst & Young", “KPMG" and "Price Waterhouse Coopers", that will enhance their personal and technical skills for building a stronger career. Those interested in the medical field can apply with “EHL Health Systems Limited” (EHL) to train in management of healthcare facilities, including human resources, finance, marketing, IT, and patient administration. EHL has 68 hospitals worldwide, with two in Dubai, including The City Hospital and Wellcare Hospital, along with eight clinics.

Potential candidates will also have the opportunity to train with "IMG", and the leading national organizations, "Desert Group", the Emirates Medical Group, "Sharaf DG," and “Saeed and Mohammed Al Naboodah Group of Companies”. These, along with the initiative’s other partners, represent the standards and quality of opportunity the initiative hopes to provide for nationals.

The importance of training had been expressed by the participating partners, who stress the importance benefits of training. Companies continually seek out candidates who have developed their skills through training and experience. This consequently relates to the Majid bin Mohammed Training Initiative’s core value, in presenting the opportunity for nationals to access the adequate tools that will enhance their careers.

The Majid bin Mohammed Training Initiative includes three training programmes including The Management Training Program, the National Coaching Program, the Initiatives Management Training to maximise their development in the work force through training, education, and experience.

Applications and interviews for admission into the three different programs will be carried out during Careers UAE 2011, 21-23 March, at the pavilion of the Private Office of His Highness Sheikh Majid bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

 

Dubai Taxi Launches Pre-Service Initiative In Coop With Juma Al Majid Est. (Hyundai)

The Dubai Taxi Corporation (DTC), Roads & Transport Authority (RTA), in cooperation with Juma Al Majid Establishment (Hyundai), has recently launched ‘Pre-Service’ initiative to run for a week’s time with a view to improving the services rendered by the DTC and educate technicians.

According to DTC Director of Fleet Operations Yousef Al Ali, this initiative, which is run in coordination with Juma Al Majid Establishment in the context of cooperation with the strategic partners & vendors, aims at educating technicians on diagnosing Hyundai vehicles before being referred to maintenance, and screening drivers to know their opinions about the vehicles and the services rendered to them on board.

“Drivers have been educated on the diagnostic procedures, and directed to carry on regular checkups of vehicles and how to check various parts of vehicles before dispatching them to maintenance in order to preserve and ascertain the condition of the vehicle,” said Al Ali.

He continued: “This initiative has been well received by technicians and drivers alike as it has a considerable impact on maintaining the vehicle at the required standard, and minimize the faults sustained by taxicabs of DTC fleet which comprises 3504 vehicles driven by more than 7500 cabbies 24 hours a day on shift basis”. Al Ali pointed to the crucial role of maintenance, regular checks of vehicles & tires in safeguarding the safety of the vehicle and accordingly the driver and passengers. “DTC is seeking to provide all security and safety aspects and realize the best results to realize the Vision of the RTA and DTC of providing Safe & Smoot Transport for All.”

“The workshop has been well prepared and provided with all services, necessary equipment and technicians to carry out regular checkups and maintenance of taxicabs with the aim of enhancing the technical efficiency of the workshop through increasing the number of personnel to commensurate with the volume of the required jobs to be done on daily or monthly basis including repairs, maintenance, and cleaning of taxicabs. The operational efficiency of the workshop has soared this year to 93%, and the workshop is manned by 145 administrative & technical staff specialized in auto mechanics deployed on shift basis. The workshop has 54 bays for maintenance of vehicles and is fitted with modern equipment and repair systems.
 

Etisalat Launches New Green Initiative With eBills

In line with its environmental objectives, Etisalat launched today its new online billing service, eBill, to reduce its carbon footprint by giving customers the option to use the electronic channels for viewing their bills. The new eBill allows individual customers to receive their bills online, for all postpaid services; in addition to the convenient option of paying their bills online.

The new eBill solution provides all customers using postpaid services, namely mobile postpaid, Fixed line and Internet Services, the choice to receive their bills via email. Once issued, they can opt to receive their bills in two ways: Detailed bill that includes call details, dates and outstanding bill amount or summarized bill with the outstanding bill amount.

The new eBill is an alternative service designed to offer customers the convenience of multiple bill payment choices and an environment friendly option where, with just a few clicks away, customers can view all their postpaid bills and easily pay online through www.etisalat.ae/online from their homes, offices or on the move. Etisalat customers can also enjoy mobile pay services to pay their Etisalat bills by using their mobile handsets. They need to simply subscribe to the mobile pay service online. Customers also have an additional option to activate the online auto pay service, to pay their bills at regular intervals, without their involvement.

Option to combine details of multiple services in one single bill

Etisalat has also introduced today a new facility allowing customers to combine multiple bills of more than one service into a single bill, for example, mobile postpaid service and eLife service charges received in a single bill. Customers can further choose to receive the combined bill via email through Etisalat’s eBill service or by post.
Etisalat’s customers who choose the eBill payment method and want to participate in the initiative to save paper, can request activation of the service by simply calling 101 or by visiting any of their nearest Etisalat outlets.

Khalifa Al Shamsi, Senior Vice President, Marketing, Etisalat, said: “Etisalat is committed to deliver customer-friendly solutions by enabling technology and offer customers convenient options that suit their fast-paced lifestyles. The new eBill service is one such example that will save our customers time and effort. In addition, it will provide them with a secure and hassle-free method of receiving and paying their bills from the comforts of their homes or offices.”

Online bill payment through eBill also seeks to reduce paper waste. "It is ultimately the responsibility of every individual to consider the environmental impact of their actions and Etisalat’s activation of its online ‘paperless’ billing is aimed to gradually eliminate paper waste and reduce the carbon footprint,” he added.

To encourage customers to use its online services, Etisalat has recently launched an attractive promotion. The promotion gives customers the opportunity to double their More Reward points through Etisalat’s popular loyalty program, ‘Etisalat More Rewards programme’, when they use Etisalat’s online services at www.etisalat.ae/online. As part of this promotion, which is valid till 22 November 2010, customers will earn double reward points on the payment value when they make a mobile bill payment and recharge or renew their Wasel prepaid accounts online.
 

Ministry of Health Announces New Initiative Friendly Environment Organisation

The UAE Ministry of Health launched a new initiative as part of its excellence program under the title ’Ministry of Health Friendly Environment Organisation’ in implementation of the adopted program of the UAE to maintain a healthy environment as one of the main goals of the federal government.

The Ministry issued a circular to the department directors, medical districts, hospitals and health centers to set up a mechanism for applying the initiative and form a team member to implement the assigned tasks and goals.

Dr. Salem Al Darmaki, Acting Director General, explained that the directors have been assigned to prepare a monthly report about the initiative’s implemented steps to be handed over to the institutional excellence department in the ministry for discussion and approval.

He said: "A regular evaluation for the ministry’s health facilities all over the UAE will be done to review their implementation to the initiative. An award carrying the name of ’Minister of Health Environment Award’ will be granted to the best health facility that implemented the initiative".

Al Darmaki mentioned that the initiative comes in implementation to the ministry’s vision in maintaining healthy individuals living in a supporting and sustaining healthy conscious and caring society.

Furthermore, he explained that the ministry’s launches this initiative taking in consideration a number of surrounding circumstances such as maintaining the natural resources such as water and energy as well as a healthy environment for the employees.

"The ministry will concentrate on the initiatives that can be currently implemented to achieve the requested goals pointing out that the ministry depends on reserving natural resources through the consumption of electricity and energy. The ministry coordinated with Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) to check, measure and analyze the flow of energy and define the consumption through work performance", he elaborated Al Darmaki emphasized that several individual initiatives and procedures can be done through maintaining the usage of electricity and energy in the ministry’s locations such as decreasing the numbers of lights inside the office, depending on the solar system rather than electricity bulbs and replacing them with saving energy bulbs.

"The procedures also include raising the awareness of thermal scholarship and air pollution particularly cars exhaust in cooperation with the Department of Traffic to apply immediate violations for vehicles that have exhaust. Similarly, safety and security conditions must be followed up in buildings under construction reassuring that chemical products such as paints must include harmless materials for the individuals and the environment", he added.

Meanwhile, Dr. Hessa Al Masood, Institutional Excellence Department at the Ministry of Health, explained that there is a current trend called green computerization which enables the information technology department at the ministry to promote the understandings and necessity of going green as well as reducing the consumption of energy from computers in addition and their usage in a healthy way as well as recycling computers correctly. The initiative also includes handling water correctly and the wise usage of water to create a healthy environment organization as well as providing green landscapes to plant different trees, recycling and disposal of materials in cooperation with specialized companies.

"Our main purpose of this initiative to create a human resources members who are supportive to the environment hoping that we achieve its goals through printing several educational brochures, organizing several training awareness programs and other materials to be distributed to all the members of the society", she concluded.

 

Al Masar Ambassadors Initiative To Groom Professional Reporters

The editorial family of Al Masar Magazine, published by the Roads & Transport Authority (RTA), has rolled out an initiative intended to diffuse the informational awareness among RTA employees, train them to acquire the skills of writing press reports, instill and promote the media sense in their conscience, and empower them to perceive and judge the importance of information that warrant promotion and publication in the media.

The General Supervisor of Al Masar Magazine Dr. Aysha Al Busmait said: “The initiative aims at embedding technical writing skills in the affiliated individuals and develop the abilities of writing about activities and media events through exposing them to a series of training workshops run by the Editorial family of Al Masar Magazine, who have extensive experience in both media and training. It also seeks to assist those who have writing talents to develop and polish their talents and inculcate them with the skills needed to produce credible, acceptable and grammatically sound reports, and empower them to express themselves in a proper and explicit manner. Before that, the initiative and associated training sessions aim at empowering inductees to compile press reports of their respective Departments and Agencies. For this end, the Editorial Board of Al Masar Magazine has extended invitations to all RTA agencies and sectors to have ambassadors to the Magazine”.

“In the first workshop of training sessions the Ambassadors of Al Masar were briefed on the key standards applicable to the “source of information” which impact the level of news published in newspapers. These include internal standards set for each media entity, and standards set for the source; namely: the importance of the press news to the community, the social status of the news source in the community, the profile of the involved personality or speaker, size of the press report and variety of information contained, wording and narration of the press release, despatching the news report to the newspaper early in the day, interesting & social information contained, intensity of news reports sent giving the source higher chances of appearance, friendly relations with the source, designated day for publishing the press report (during the week or events), supporting images, and the way the headline is written,” said Dr. Aysha Al Busmait.
 

Qeyadi Initiative Makes Headway In Grooming RTA 2nd & 3rd Line Leaders To Senior Positions

Roads & Transport Authority – Mohammed Al Munji: Participants in Qeyadi Scheme, an educative initiative carried out by the Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) in cooperation with Mohammed bin Rashid Centre for Leadership Development (MRCLD) featuring participation of 40 Emirati directors and managers of various RTA units, have made a good progress in the program; which turned a new page by holding the first Qeyadi Program Forum, which hosted H.E. Mohinder Singh, Dean of the Land Transport Authority (LTA) of Singapore, who spoke about the Experiment of Singapore in Multi Modal Transportation: Challenges and Success Stories.

Qeyadi Program aims at enhancing the abilities and skills of RTA leaders and empowering them to assume the responsibilities and tasks of higher positions.

His Excellency Mattar Al Tayer, RTA Chairman of the Board and Executive Director, expressed satisfaction with the program and hailed the commitment of the participating employees. “I’m proud of you and absolutely confident that you will exert every effort to benefit from the program and transfer the acquired knowledge to your colleagues,” he said.

Al Tayer added: “RTA does not only build bridges, roads, and intelligent traffic systems, but also builds human talent leadership competencies and groom them to assume responsibilities in human leadership,” said Al Tayer who added: “Leadership competencies connect organizational strategies with people and when employees are consistent with the strategic goals of the RTA or the Agency, they become in a better position to cope with the challenges that leadership requires”.

“RTA decision to launch Qeyadi Scheme is a true manifestation of its strategic plan which has set in its strategic goals to be the first career option for qualified human resources; which can be achieved through increasing the competitiveness in attracting highly qualified professionals, building a comprehensive employee motivation and retention system, and attending to scientific and practical upgrading of employee skills. For this end, RTA provides a suitable environment for career development, and empowers young Emiratis to take up key positions that contribute to realizing RTA ambitious vision and strategic objectives,” said Al Tayer.

RTA Chairman of the Board and Executive Director further added that RTA adopted a clear-cut mechanism for selecting its candidate leaders to join the program based on several standards including the availability of the six basic skills for succeeding as leader, scientific qualifications, work-related experience, individual performance level, attitudes towards change, and line manager’s recommendation. Interviews were conducted for as much as 165 executives and accordingly 20 directors and 20 managers have been selected.

Strategic Objectives

The strategic objectives of Qeyadi program are based on the concept of leadership that is clearly outlined in Dubai Government Excellence Program (DGEP), which considers effective leadership very critical for the present and future success of any organization. According to DGEP, senior management members play a pivotal role in the development of the mission and vision of the RTA or Department. This can be achieved through the strategic thinking and planning, acting as role models in diffusing the culture of excellence through self-inspired efforts, maintaining integrity in their capacity as a source of inspiration, building determination, and directing the whole RTA or organization through showing commitment to action and delivering public service at professional standards.
Equally important, they engage in maintaining effective communication and establishing constructive work relationships. Therefore, RTA views the development and growth of leaders as a core activity and as an integral part of any training and development initiatives.

Beneficiaries of the program

The Program benefits three main parties. Firstly participants will receive high class training skills delivered by top experts, and also receive senior coaching and mentoring programs in several leadership capacities which will prepare them to assume more responsibilities and take over higher roles. Secondly RTA will benefit from the program in qualifying second and third lines of leaders who will apply what they have learned to improve their performance and the performance of their subordinates and teams which will result in an overall enhancement of corporate performance. Thirdly the UAE will benefit from the program as these participants will be equipped with many competencies that help them function more effectively and accordingly will be a part of the national talent pool.

Selection Criteria

RTA developed five criteria for selecting nominees to join the program. All candidates were assessed against 6 competencies which were finalized long before the development of the Executive Council competency dictionary for Dubai Government Departments. RTA leadership competencies were developed as a result of meetings with the Chairman, CEO’s and focus groups covering directors and managers. Successful candidates had to score 6 out of 6. The second criterion is the academic qualifications, professional certificates and training certificates. The third criterion is the practical experience in terms of the number of years. The fourth criterion is related to performance appraisal rating over the last two years as the candidate must score the highest rating “significantly exceeds expectation”, and the last criterion is the line manager’s recommendation which is based on observation and performance.

Program Duration

The program started on 27th October 2009 and ends on 26th November 2011. During this period the Participants will be subject to a 360 degree assessment at the beginning and end of the program, attend a two day classes every month on full time attendance, receive coaching on personal development planning, attend mentoring sessions & forums specifically designed for RTA, have a two week visit to two foreign countries to exchange knowledge, and carry out group projects.