Dubai School of Government hosts John Chambers

Chambers is currently on a visit to the Middle East.

Chambers is known for his great achievements at Cisco Systems growing the company from US$ 1.2 billion in annual revenues to approximately US$ 24.8 billion.

He has received a number of awards and recognitions, of which he most recently accepted the prestigious Award for Corporate Excellence from USA Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice for Cisco's co-sponsorship of the Jordan Education Initiative on which it has worked in partnership with his Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan and the World Economic Forum.

In his address, Chambers underlined the vital role internet is playing in business development worldwide. "However, governments will not be able to grow and develop by solely relying on the implementation of technology applications alone, but they must also be matched with a flexibility in changing the governmental processes which will further these development at a quicker pace".

Nabil Ali Alyousuf, Executive President of the Dubai School of Government, said "It is a great pleasure to have the head of one of the world's top 30 innovative companies speak to our government leaders, offering valuable insights to challenges facing the relationship between governments and a more globalised private sector".

The Dubai School of Government first established a working cooperation with Cisco Systems at the first OCED/UNDP Thematic Working Group reception for e-Government and Administrative Simplification in Arab Countries which was held in Dubai in September 2005.

"We believe that meaningful partnerships are the foundation for success and have been key in allowing The Dubai School of Government to work successfully and effectively in enhancing public governance and contributing to the intellectual advancement of the study of government", explained Al Yousuf.

"Cisco Systems understands the many complex challenges that face modern governments. We believe the next wave of transformation will have a dramatic impact on the public sector and on society. Cisco is committed to the public sector, to enable governments in the region and worldwide use the power of the company's networks as a catalyst for change and to build e-government strategies that support the needs of the people," said Samer AlKharrat, General Manager, Cisco Systems, Gulf Region.

The Dubai School of Government who continually organises high level forums for senior public officials and leading international thinkers has previously hosted many world leaders such as H.E. Lee Kuan Yew, founder and ex-Prime Minister of Singapore and Professor Klaus Schwab, Chairman of the World Economic Forum.