GEC NEWS WIRECisco and Abu Dhabi Smart Solutions and Services Authority, ADSSSA are collaborating on a variety of initiatives to fast-track digitisation across sectors including business innovation and smart cities in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. The partnership aims to encourage diversification of technical skills and develop secure infrastructure to accelerate economic growth.
Abu Dhabi’s Smart Solutions and Services Authority has a legal personality and possesses the necessary legal capacity as well as financial and administrative independence in all matters. The Smart Solutions and Services Authority is aimed at developing smart systems for government services by focusing on the combined experience of all categories of customers, to improve and assist the work of the government services sector.
The Authority works with all government bodies to redefine services and offer them in a seamless, proactive and integrated manner, to meet the individual needs of each customer, through a multi-channel unified platform which provides customers with access to services anywhere and at any time.
The Authority is also supervising the establishment of customer service centres, which will offer smart and integrated services as per global best practices. Their creation is an important initiative and a deliberated step which will help reinforce Abu Dhabi’s position as a technological innovation hub.
The Authority’s tasks also involve drafting general policies, strategic plans and initiatives, and providing operational support in order to achieve government integration in terms of information and communication technologies. It also helps to enable government entities to manage their institutional and developmental tasks through innovative systems and legislations, which will contribute to the improvement of government performance.
One such initiative geared towards achieving this is the talent development programme. Forming part of Cisco’s Country Digital Acceleration programme for the UAE, it will focus on three main areas to stimulate job creation: cybersecurity, IT networking and digital skills.
The talent development programme will see a total of 600 people trained and upskilled in digital competency, including ADSSSA employees, Abu Dhabi government employees, UAE nationals and students. Developing talent locally is a key priority of the Country Digital Acceleration programme. Cisco’s collaboration with ADSSSA on the Abu Dhabi National Training Programme is amongst the first Country Digital Acceleration initiatives in the UAE.
Commenting on the partnership, HE Dr Rauda Al Saadi, Director General of Smart Solutions and Services Authority said: “In line with the strategy focused on enhancing government services in Abu Dhabi, ADSSSA is committed to launching and implementing various innovative initiatives that position the Emirate at the forefront of digital transformation. Our partnership with Cisco today reflects the Authority’s strength and technological capabilities in transforming government services through world-class digital technologies, including Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain, Data Management, Internet of Things and Infrastructure among others.”
Al Saadi added that the cooperation between ADSSSA and Cisco is a result of the Authority’s ongoing efforts to develop the government service sector and support digital transformation in Abu Dhabi. She emphasized the importance of training Emiratis as crucial towards realising the UAE’s mission of providing smart and effective government services. Through the programme, Cisco and ADSSSA will aim to spark economic growth and improve quality life for citizens of the UAE.
Shukri Eid, Managing Director, East Region, Cisco Middle East, said, “We are honored to partner with ADSSSA on these initiatives in line with Vision 2021 and support the UAE’s drive towards digitisation and economic diversification efforts. Through the training programme, we will help close the fast-growing skills gap and develop a sustainable knowledge-based economy.”
Key takeaways
Strategy
- Cooperation between ADSSSA and Cisco is a result of ongoing efforts to develop the government service sector and support digital transformation.
Execution
- Cisco’s Country Digital Acceleration programme for the UAE will focus on job creation in cybersecurity, IT networking, digital skills.
People
- The talent development programme will see a total of 600 people trained and upskilled in digital competency.
- Developing talent locally is a key priority of the Country Digital Acceleration programme.
- Cisco’s collaboration with Abu Dhabi National Training Programme is amongst the first Country Digital Acceleration initiatives.
