The Emirates Centre for Government Knowledge (ECGK) – an affiliate of the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government (MBRSG) – has signed a strategic partnership with the Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation for Distinguished Academic Performance to improve performance across academic and educational ecosystems in Dubai.

The partnership was launched from the Foundation’s headquarters in Dubai’s Al Hudaiba Awards Building, in the presence of MBRSG’s Executive President His Excellency Dr Ali Sebaa Al Marri, and H.E. Suleiman Abdul Khaliq Al Ansari, Executive Director of the Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation for Distinguished Academic Performance, along with high-ranking members of both entities’ academic, administrative and advisory teams.

H.E. Dr Al Marri said: “Since its launch, the Emirates Centre for Government Knowledge has sought to develop initiatives and platforms to enhance institutional and Government operations at a wide range of local and federal Government agencies, foster stronger cooperation, facilitate the exchange of experiences, upgrade work systems, and improve the performance of key sectors to build a competitive and sustainable knowledge economy.”

“We are delighted to see the Centre enter such a strategic partnership with the Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation for Distinguished Academic Performance, which lays the groundwork for a new phase of outstanding Government operations, and facilitating the exchange of academic insight and expertise between the two entities,” H.E. added.

Meanwhile, H.E. Al Ansari said: “We, at the Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation for Distinguished Academic Performance, take pride in this partnership with the Mohammed Bin Rashid School of Government – one of the most prestigious academic institutions in the fields of research, consultations, and conferences. This agreement will certainly enhance our collaboration with the Emirates Centre for Government Knowledge, allowing us to benefit from its extensive expertise in improving institutional performance and implementing sound administrative and financial systems.”

“We are confident that this partnership will upgrade our performance to match our accomplishments over the course of the past 20 years, including offering our academic support services to the international community through partnerships with regional and international organisations,” H.E. Al Ansari added. “Consistent administrative competence is a cornerstone of our Foundation’s success in achieving the objectives and visions of our Foundation’s Chairman H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum.”

For her part, ECGK Director Sarah Talib said: “The strategic partnership with the Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation for Distinguished Academic Performance will be a golden opportunity to build up capacities within Dubai’s education system. The ECGK’s consultancy and services are rooted in our vast, accumulated academic knowledge and our integrated system of research and expertise in enhancing the efficiency of Government operations.”

Outstanding Educational Environment

The partnership agreement seeks to enhance performance and efficiency by creating an empowering institutional environment, capable of remaining on top of rapid transformations and addressing current and future challenges. This reflects the aspirations of the UAE’s wise leadership to highlight the importance of the education sector and promote talent, innovation, excellence and quality, as per the objectives of the UAE Centennial 2071 Plan.

Governance and Operation Models on Par with International Best Practice

As per the agreement, a team of ECGK experts and consultants will implement the outcomes of world-leading experiences that seek to strengthen institutional governance frameworks, which include setting up a governance system for the Board of Trustees. This requires a thorough review the Board’s current legislation, mandate and performance management systems, and developing them according to the latest systems and best practices in the field.

The development phase also includes studying and analysing the current situation, measuring the efficiency and effectiveness of the existing organisational structure, making reference comparisons, and presenting operational models that reflect the best systems and practices in this field, taking into account all professional standards and language requirements, in addition to developing job descriptions for 60 positions within the Board.

HR Systems that Drive Investment in Human Resources

The partnership agreement extends to existing human resources systems and updates them to meet the requirements, frameworks, and methodologies in place in the UAE. This, in turn, serves to develop national talent and empower institutions to better manage and utilise human resources, in addition to developing a system of rewards and incentives, upgrading performance assessment tools, creating professional and behavioural competencies guide, and develop career paths.