SEDD, Shurooq organize Mutual Program to Prepare Leaders & Enhance Government Capabilities

Sharjah Economic Development Department “SEDD”, in cooperation with Sharjah Investment and Development Authority “Shurooq”, concluded “Promising Leaders” program, which lasted for six months, with the aim of developing leadership capabilities and empowering government competencies with the skills, knowledge and tools necessary to keep pace with the requirements of the changing work environment, and enhancing their ability to anticipate the future, innovate and make effective decisions.

The program was implemented in cooperation with Mohammed Bin Rashid School of Government “MBRSG”, with the participation of 16 employees from both sides, nine from “SEDD” and seven from “Shurooq”. Such partnership aimed at developing competencies and enhancing the exchange of experiences and knowledge, to support government development efforts in Sharjah.

Commenting on the program, HE Hamad Ali Abdalla Al Mahmoud, SEDD Chairman and Member of the Executive Council, said: “The ‘Promising Leaders’ program embodies SEDD’s commitment to investing in talent and developing leadership capabilities, enabling them to keep pace with rapid changes, anticipate the future, and turn challenges into opportunities for development and innovation. Also, the collaboration with "Shurooq" reflects the importance of institutional partnerships in unifying efforts, exchanging experiences, and creating a stimulating environment that contributes to preparing leaders capable of leading the development process efficiently and competently”.

He added: “We are proud of the level demonstrated by the participants during the program, and the ideas and projects they presented that reflect their ability to utilize the knowledge and skills they acquired to find practical solutions to institutional challenges. We believe that the true value of the program lies in the transfer of the impact of the training from the theoretical aspect to practical application, which was embodied in the projects presented by the participants in the fields of artificial intelligence, digital transformation, and service development.”

From his side, H.E. Ahmed Obaid Al Qaseer, CEO of the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), said: “Investing in talent is essential to strengthening institutions’ ability to evolve and create lasting impact. Leadership programs help prepare employees to take on broader responsibilities and apply what they have learned through practical initiatives and solutions that support the development of their organizations.”

He added: “As leaders, we have a responsibility to give employees the confidence and space to contribute and take ownership; while providing the guidance they need to turn learning into tangible results. Developing future leaders begins with giving them the opportunity to apply their ideas, learn through experience, and contribute meaningfully to their organizations’ priorities.”

On the other hand, HE Dr. Ali bin Sebaa Al Marri, Executive President of Mohammed Bin Rashid School of Government “MBRSG”, said “Preparing government leaders capable of navigating rapid changes is a cornerstone of the School’s efforts to support the development of future-ready institutions. The School plays a pivotal role by designing and implementing leadership programs that focus on building leadership capabilities, enhancing readiness to address opportunities and challenges, and enabling the effective application of strategic thinking and foresight. These efforts bolster leaders' ability to keep pace with change and achieve more agile and effective government performance.”

Likely, HE stated that “MBRSG” focuses on relating knowledge with application and providing practical methodologies that contribute to developing the capabilities of government professionals. Also, HE emphasized that the School works to empower participants to convert ideas into viable institutional initiatives and solutions, while enhancing their ability to address practical challenges and make decisions grounded in knowledge and experience. This, in turn, aligns with the UAE’s strategic direction of building governments that are more innovative and future-ready, and of enhancing government performance efficiency and service quality.

Additionally, Sheikha Al Muhairi, Director of Executive Education Department at “MBRSG”, said: "The 'Promising Leaders' program reflects the importance of executive education in talent development through a comprehensive learning experience that combines knowledge, practice, and direct engagement with organizational challenges. It also underscores the School’s commitment to providing learning experiences that enhance leadership capabilities, develop participants' skills, and empower them to effectively and efficiently apply the knowledge and expertise they gain to address workplace needs."

She added: "The program provided participants with the opportunity to apply the skills and knowledge they had acquired by developing practical projects that reflect workplace needs. This facilitates the transfer of learning into practice, supports the ability of professionals to translate knowledge into actionable solutions and practices, and contributes to creating sustainable value for organizations while enhancing their long-term institutional impact."

In details, the six-month program comprised five key training subjects that are management and organizational understanding; strategic planning; project and team management; digital leadership and the future; as well as public-private partnerships. It also incorporated self-learning initiatives, leadership twinning, "Meet the Leader" sessions, and field visits.

It should be noted that the program helped participants develop a range of skills, most notably problem definition and framework structuring; planning and feasibility study preparation; benchmarking; risk and challenge management; implementation planning; and the establishment of performance indicators and impact measurement. Furthermore, it enhanced presentation and public speaking abilities, boosted confidence in proposing and discussing ideas, and fostered a spirit of teamwork and effective role distribution.

The program featured the presentation of four innovative projects by participants, focusing on leveraging artificial intelligence to enhance services and improve organizational processes. Thus, teams from SEDD introduced a smart system for transaction auditing powered by AI. This project included an integrated suite for managing internal audit operations in accordance with global standards and specifications, alongside an interactive chatbot system designed to address customer inquiries and enable the execution of certain services directly through the chat interface.

On the other hand, “Shurooq” teams also presented a project featuring a comprehensive national digital system powered by artificial intelligence. This system aims to gradually cover government services, ranging from inquiries and guidance to the actual execution of certain services using AI. Additionally, they introduced another AI-driven smart system for facility booking, primarily targeting tourists and visitors. These projects reflect the practical dimension of the program, as the participants' outputs went beyond mere theoretical concepts to deliver implementable solutions.

Moreover, this mutual program reflects “SEDD” and “Shurooq” commitment to investing in human capital, enhancing the capabilities of Sharjah’s government workforce, and fostering a work environment that encourages innovation and strategic thinking. Therefore, this initiative aims to cultivate leaders capable of keeping pace with future transformations and actively contributing to Sharjah’s sustainable development journey.