H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid launches Dubai School of Government

The Dubai School of Government, the first of its kind in the region - established with the assistance of Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government - is dedicated to enhancing public sector management in the region by developing talented leaders through the exchange of ideas and sharing knowledge.

'The leaders of tomorrow are our focus and the foundation of the future. Our duty is to advance their skills and knowledge to continually enhance the quality of public administration.' H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashed Al Maktoum said in a statement issued to commemorate the announcement.

The Dubai School of Government will aim to fulfill the vision of His Highness. It will further the study and practice of government by working with international scholars and cultivating regional expertise.
'This relationship represents an important effort between our schools and our countries. Both institutions and nations will benefit from the combination of scholarly thought and regional perspective that this effort will allow.' Dean David Ellwood, Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government.

'There is a need for governments and global institutions in the region to develop a higher level of efficiency and effectiveness in public service management. Officials in all governments are under increased pressure to produce results for their citizens. The challenge facing the leaders of any government institution is to ratchet up performance in a way which produces results that citizens value - and that generates the resources and flexibility needed to do even better in the future,' said Mr. Mohammed Al Gergawi.

'Citizens want results. Citizens crave results. Citizens expect better performance from their governments. The e-government initiative in Dubai is a clear example of achieving valuable results for our citizens,' he pointed out.

'But what are the strategies that government executives can use to motivate improved results?' he asked answering that: 'The Dubai School of Government, through its research, public policy conferences and executive education programmes, will provide key information that public executives can use to develop strategies for performance improvements in their respective countries.'

DSG, together with the Kennedy School of Government, will provide leading executive education programmes for regional decision makers, and advance public management through comprehensive research and analysis. Knowledge exchange on current public policy issues through forums and conferences and shared expertise of world leaders at distinguished lectures will also be an integral part of DSG's yearly programme.

'Our cooperation with the Kennedy School of Government, a leading international centre for scholarship and teaching on effective public problem solving and leadership, ensures the transfer of international talent and expertise and provides us with an opportunity to address pertinent policy issues in the region,' added Mr. Al Gergawi.

He confirmed that the DSG staff is dedicated to working with the governments of the region to help improve the public service infrastructure, which in turn will have a positive impact on the overall enhancement of public governance in the region, ultimately benefiting corporate development and citizens alike.

Founded in 1936 as the Harvard Graduate School of Public Administration, the school was renamed the John F. Kennedy School of Government in 1966. The variety of activities of the Kennedy School includes basic research on analytical methods and on the art and science of public management; applied research on major public programmes; degree programmes to prepare the next generation of public leaders; executive programmes to enhance the knowledge, skills, and perspectives of individuals already in positions of significant responsibility; and collaborative efforts that bring together scholars, public officials, and others concerned with public issues.