Award Recognizes Partnership’s Initiative in Organizing Innovation Days Series

Mohammed Bin Rashid School of Government (MBRSG), a research and teaching institution focusing on public policy in the Arab world, and SAP, the German multinational software corporation that makes enterprise software, have been jointly awarded the distinction for ‘Best Government/Private Partnership’ at the ITP Technology .GOV Awards 2015.

The award was presented in recognition of the ‘Innovation Days Series’ of thought sessions co-organized by MBRSG and SAP. The series is designed as a platform that convenes public and private sector experts and leaders to discuss best-in-class practices in smart government.

Professor Raed Awamleh, Dean of MBRSG and Batoul Husseini, Government Relations Manager, SAP received the award at the gala dinner organized by ITP.

The .GOV Awards for Dubai & the Northern Emirates highlight the progress that government organizations in the area have made in smart governance and their use of information technology to drive progress and improve lives. Building on the success of the inaugural .GOV Awards for Abu Dhabi and the Federal Government in March this year, the awards recognize the outstanding work that has been achieved by the government sector in Dubai and the Northern Emirates across 15 categories such as online services, mobile applications and smart cities.

His Excellency Dr Ali Sebaa Al Marri, Executive President, MBRSG, said: “We are pleased to receive this award in recognition of our efforts to drive and develop public/private cooperation and collaborative synergies across industries. One of our goals is to make the two sides leverage experiences to improve the overall performance of government organizations. We aim to reinforce the leading position of government departments in the UAE in line with the vision of our leadership that prioritizes the happiness of its people.”

Al Marri added: “The Innovation Days Series has been launched at a time when the UAE is focused on innovation as a core priority across sectors. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has announced the Innovation Strategy that aims to make the UAE one of the most innovative countries by 2021. As an organization focused on advancing the knowledge economy in the Arab world, we work towards forming knowledge partnerships between public and private sector and offer a platform for discussion and dialogue that encourages growth through innovation.”

Dr Bassem Younes, Director, Business Development and Strategic Partnerships, MBRSG, said: “MBRSG is keen to establish strong synergies with the private sector in areas related to developing government organizations and their day-to-day operations. Through our excellent relations with leading companies like SAP, we contribute to sharing experiences and knowledge with the aim of enhancing the competency levels of government organizations and ultimately benefiting society and the nation as a whole.”

Tayfun Topkoc, Managing Director, SAP UAE, said: “By partnering with MBRSG in co-hosting the Innovation Days Series, we aim to support leaders, decision makers and government entities in keeping pace with the rapid advancements in technology, and demonstrate the benefits they can achieve through leveraging our expertise and cutting-edge innovations. We are proud of today’s award that validates the tremendous value that partnerships between the public and private sectors can provide.”