Driving the Arab World’s Networked Economy, the Mohammed Bin Rashid School of Government and SAP launched today the “Innovation Days” series.

 As Arab governments use technology to deliver innovation in Smart Government projects and Smart Cities, and support the ICT-fuelled knowledge-based economy, the monthly Innovation Days series will bring world-class thought leaders to Dubai for panels on best practices in the engines of technological innovation: Mobility, Cloud, Citizen-Centric Applications, Big Data, Social Media, and Analytics.

 The first Innovation Day on 29 October 2014 will focus on Mobility, while the final one on 25 March 2015 will focus on Analytics in sports, prior to Dubai World Cup. Talks will lead to “MENA Panel Briefs.”

 “Innovation Days enhances Dubai’s standing as a world leader in Smart Government, and provides best practices for the region’s governments to innovate in the Networked Economy,” said Dr Ali Al Marri, Executive President, MBRSG. “Dubai’s visionary leadership are paving the way for public and private sectors to capitalize on the connectivity era, and the game-changing ways that technology can enhance daily lives and jobs”, Dr. Al Marri added.
 The Arab World’s Smart Cities are confronting challenges in urbanization, socio-economics, budgets, and technological change. Navigant Research predicts the global Smart City technology market will grow from USD 6.1 billion in 2012 to USD 20.2 billion by 2020.

 “Dubai is one of the Arab World’s leaders in government services, driving collaboration and partnerships to accelerate the Networked Economy, with the Innovation Days series set to accelerate the process thanks to best practices from global experts on creating sustainable societies,’’ said Sam Alkharrat, President, SAP MENA.

 Arab government innovation has enhanced the fields of education, healthcare, job creation, and tourism. As a result, most GCC countries rank in the top 10 on e-government development in Asia and Africa, according to the United Nations Global eGovernment Survey 2014.

 Dr. Bassem Younis, Director, Business Development and Strategic Partnerships, MBRSG Said: “MBRSG has formed strategic partnerships with local and global technology leaders and innovators. Sharing and transforming knowledge between technology developers, innovators and decision makers is a primary objective”.

 Dr. Younis Added : “The Innovation Days series, organized in collaboration with our partners SAP, will host high profile speakers in a bid to spread knowledge and facilitate cooperation between technology specialists and decisions makers across all sectors. This initiative is aligned with our continuous efforts to share expertise, knowledge and best practices with all public sector leaders in Dubai, UAE and even abroad.”