Government Innovation Award named after late President Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahayan

"The Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Award for Government Innovation" will encourage innovation in public sector organizations and inspire a modification of organizational missions and the best means for those missions to be carried out in ways that better serve the stakeholders.

"We named this award after the late Sheikh Zayed in recognition of the part he played in inspiring the innovation that has led to the development of the UAE and driven its progress to become a modern nation. Sheikh Zayed ensured the Government actively encouraged innovation through a variety of programmes and incentives," said H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

"Applicants will benefit tremendously from this Award in terms of stimulating improvement in their organizations' performance with respect to innovation. Through a self-evaluation process that is an integral part of the application procedure, applicants will share and learn from best practices and experiences of other organizations," he added.

This prestigious award will reward creative and effective problem solving and is expected to play a crucial role in driving performance in the government. Organizations from federal ministries, statutory federal bodies, local government departments/agencies, and all humanitarian organization based in the UAE can apply for the Award.

The introduction of the Award reflects the UAE's progress and emergence as an outstanding model of development in the region. The UAE Government continues to drive innovation in its own operations to match the progress made elsewhere across the public and private sectors. The Award will be linked to the International Innovation Award and the UNPAN Innovation Award in the public sector.

To qualify for the Award entrants will need to demonstrate original thinking and implementation of change in management, processes or policy that has led to a fundamental change and improvement in their organizations. Qualifying programmes must show tangible results in improving efficiency and effectiveness.

Within the scope of the Award, any innovation programs that tackle all policy areas will be considered. These include but are not restricted to justice management, civic engagement, management of debt, public health, e-Government, and quality improvement.

The Ministry of Finance and Industry along with the University of California, Berkley and Zayed University have agreed to consider four selection criteria in order to meet the general purpose of the Award. The innovation programs which will be eligible to win the Award would need to demonstrate some aspects of novelty that represents a fundamental change in governance, management, process improvement, or policy application. Applying programs should also display more effectiveness in the application of processes and procedures and demonstrate concrete results.

The scope of the innovation program and its significance is another criterion that will be scrutinized by the Award administrators. The program has to reveal the degree to which it successfully addresses an important problem or a public concern. Lastly, the transferability of the program is another factor that will be into consideration. The innovation program that would apply for the Award should have enough elasticity to be replicated in other government departments with a scope of work different from where the innovation program emanated.

Late last year, MOFI signed a Memorandum of Understanding with University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley) and Zayed University to design and administer the Award. The aim is to drive fundamental change across the UAE federal ministries and bodies.

The MoU will lead to a three-phase collaboration with UC Berkeley. The first phase involves a strategic review that will look at existing processes and best practices, develop UAE-specific case studies and create the awards programme.

The second phase will focus on developing the awards programme after identifying any gaps or weaknesses. The awards will provide an incentive for the staff to strive for excellence in these areas and will act as a vehicle for the UAE government to increase understanding and awareness.

The third phase involves the actual programme delivery where a series of custom-made executive education programmes focused on strategy will be conducted. A "market" orientation will be developed, and integration of technology and strategy, leadership, human resource management, measuring processes, change management, and communication of new innovative initiatives within the context of UAE ministries and culture will take place.

The Ministry of Finance and Industry will in collaboration with the two academic institutions conduct a review of every government department to advise and execute executive training programs and develop incentives, such as Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahayan Government Innovation Award, to drive through innovation and change.

"In the world governed by the forces of globalization, it is important that we maintain our competitive edge through incentive programs such as this Award," said H.E. Dr. Mohammed Khalfan bin Kharbash, UAE State Minister of Finance and Industry. "Problem solving and creativity should be both important and essential elements of the skill sets of our government officials and employees.

"This Award will go to those who are keen and proactive about bringing in new ideas that can be turned into efficient and effective procedures that lead to better services and world-class organizational systems," Dr. Kharbash added.