Innovation in the Government Sector

In October 2014, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai (may God protect him), launched the National strategy for Innovation with the aim of making the UAE one of the most innovative nations in the world in seven years. The strategy includes innovation in the government sector and focuses on providing a suitable environment by supporting entrepreneurs and defining the sectors that could lead to innovation.

In February 2018, The UAE Government approved the National Strategy for Advanced Innovation, as an updated version of the National Strategy for Innovation. The new strategy focuses on goals and outcomes in seven areas: exploration, future skills, quality of health, living and life, green power, transport, and harnessing technology to serve humankind.

The authority has embarked on building an integrated strategy to create a culture of innovation within government work practices, one that represents the main elements of the National Strategy for Innovation, by focusing on:

• Establishing organizational frameworks to support innovation, such as the management of innovative ideas, management of creativity and innovation laboratories, preparation of scientific research and studies, and registration of intellectual rights
• Training and qualifying staff on the application and methods of innovation, specialized training on innovation for employees responsible for disseminating the culture of innovation, and assessment of innovations, proposals, and creative ideas
• Building partnerships with innovative institutions that would contribute to implementing innovations in the human resources system
• Motivating, honoring and encouraging innovators
• Using technology to support innovation, such as an ideas management and follow up system, activation of a project management system, as well as creating an online portal for innovation
• Establishing innovative initiatives to be executed at the level of the federal government in the area of human resources
• Preparing the authority to be the leading entity for innovation in human resources at a regional level