The General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai (GDRFA Dubai) and the Mohammed Bin Rashid School of Government (MBRSG) celebrated the graduation of the 1st cohort of “GDRFA Dubai Nudgeathon”, one of its innovative programs specializing in the application of behavioral insights and design thinking methodologies to develop government policies and services. The program was delivered in partnership with MBRSG, reflecting GDRFA Dubai’s institutional approach rooted in innovation, professionalism, and the enhancement of quality of life.
The graduation ceremony was attended by H.E. Lieutenant General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, Director General of GDRFA Dubai, alongside Mr.  Mohammed Al Khatib, Senior Director of Corporate Support Service at MBRSG, as well as a number of senior leaders and officials from GDRFA Dubai and MBRSG.
The event agenda included presentations of the graduates’ projects, during which participants showcased a range of innovative solutions and initiatives developed in response to real-world challenges within the government work environment. These projects highlighted the program’s outcomes and its ability to translate ideas into practical, applicable models. The ceremony also featured a project exhibition, allowing attendees to explore the proposed solutions in detail, learn about the applied methodologies, and review their anticipated impact on service development and customer experience enhancement.

The ceremony further included the recognition of outstanding teams, in appreciation of their efforts and contributions, reinforcing a culture of appreciation, teamwork, and institutional belonging. This moment reflected the values of happiness and positivity and showcased a work environment that fosters creativity and responsibility.
GDRFA Dubai affirmed that the “Nudgeathon” program embodies its vision of building a more flexible and proactive government ecosystem, one that is grounded in understanding human behavior and promotes innovation, empathy, and collaborative work. This approach positively impacts customer experience, contributes to strengthening community safety and security, and supports the development of integrated, innovative services that enhance Dubai’s competitiveness.
In his address during the ceremony, H.E. Lieutenant General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri stated:
“The GDRFA Dubai Nudgeathon was not merely a training program, but a practical experience that redefined how government services can be designed to be closer to people and more impactful in their daily lives. At GDRFA Dubai, we believe that true innovation begins with understanding human behavior, and that investing in national talent is the pathway to smarter services, more precise policies, and a better quality of life for both the community and our employees.”

He added that the program’s outcomes demonstrate the capability of national talent to develop secure, innovative, and seamless digital solutions that contribute to strengthening institutional governance, improving the efficiency of financial resource utilization, and ensuring sustainability, within a professional, proactive, and socially responsible institutional framework.
Mr. Mohammed Al Khatib, Senior Director of Corporate Support Service at MBRSG affirmed that "Nudgeathon Dubai Residency" marks a fundamental transformation in government operations. It strategically leverages behavioural sciences for enhanced decision-making, policy design, and service delivery. He further explained that the programme employs an evidence-based institutional approach, positioning individuals at the heart of development. This initiative elevates government performance efficiency, bolsters policy effectiveness, and addresses community aspirations and future demands, in line with the visionary leadership’s directives to cultivate a flexible, proactive, and sustainable government.

Al Khatib further noted that the distinction of the “GDRFA Dubai Nudgeathon” lies in its multidisciplinary approach, which enabled participants to transform ideas into practical, implementable solutions with sustainable institutional impact. He emphasized that the partnership between the General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai and the Mohammed Bin Rashid School of Government represents an effective model for integrating academic knowledge with government application, contributing to the development of national capabilities capable of innovation, policymaking, and leading transformative change.
This initiative comes within the context of GDRFA Dubai’s commitment to achieving its strategic objectives, foremost among them enhancing quality of life and employee well-being, developing proactive and innovative government services, strengthening institutional flexibility and governance, and improving performance efficiency and resource sustainability, further reinforcing its position as a leading entity that places people at the heart of development and looks confidently toward the future.