JEDDAH — The Mohammed Bin Rashid School of Government (MBRSG) — the first research and teaching institution focusing on governance and public policy in the Arab world — launched the ‘Professional Diploma’ program, which targets high-ranking officials in the public and private sectors.

As part of MBRSG’s executive education programs, the new diploma seeks to train and empower leaders of the future, hone their knowledge and expertise, enhance their ability to innovate and educate them about the latest best practices to improve government performance in the UAE.

The program comprises four professional diplomas, namely, ‘Professional Government Administrator ’, ‘Professional Public Policy Analyst’, ‘Professional Public Leader’ and ‘Professional Digital Leader’. It is designed around the concept of ‘Learning by doing’ and focuses on expanding participants’ knowledge and personal skills to enhance educational outcomes, introduce them to global governance practices, and encourage communication and the exchange of best practices. The program also includes coaching sessions that aim to transfer practical experiences, giving participants a comprehensive idea on managing various scenarios at the work place.

MBRSG’s executive president Dr. Ali Bin Sebaa Al Marri said: “The 'Professional Diploma' program reflects the directives of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the vice president and prime minister of the UAE, ruler of Dubai, who prioritized building national capacities to lead the government ecosystem and establish a work environment that encourages employees to innovate, find pragmatic solutions to challenges, and continue along the path of success.”

“We count on the leaders of the future to drive tangible progress in various sectors of government,” Al Marri added. “We, at the Mohammed Bin Rashid School of Government, are committed to establishing an integrated system of educational and training programs. By launching the 'Professional Diploma' program today, we strive to train government leaders, hone their expertise in line with global economic and technological trends, and ensure we are well prepared for the future by implementing the UAE’s various plans and strategies.”

For her part, Aisha Sultan Al Shamsi, director of executive education programs at MBRSG, asserted that the 'Professional Diploma' program is a step forward in the quest to train leaders and innovators in the government and private-sector work environment. “The program includes pioneering curricula and advanced academic courses that take current challenges into account and keep pace with local and global developments in administration and public policies. This, in turn, helps us ensure we are well prepared for the future,” she said.

“The executive education programs department at MBRSG is working to find innovative educational methods that help learners acquire skills and knowledge. We strive for an approach that considers the pragmatic applications of this knowledge, offering case studies and scenarios that introduce participants to experiences from around the world, which allows them to make better decisions and advance in their careers.”

The program and its courses were designed in accordance with modern curricula and innovative teaching methods based on academic lectures and administrative case studies from the UAE and the Arab world. The program is overseen by a training committee of experts including renowned local and international lecturers, highly qualified in various sectors, such as public policy, leadership and management, strategic planning, financial management, future foresight, and innovation.

The program enhances participants’ chances to make tangible progress in their career path; it opens multiple options for them in the areas of management and public policy. Upon completing the course, graduates would have developed the necessary skills to occupy advanced positions in the public and private sectors and various international organizations. — SG