‘Design Gov’ Selects 40 Talents from 25 Dubai Government Entities for ‘Lead & Design’ Program

The Dubai Future Foundation has announced the participation of 40 government employees from 25 entities in the "Lead and Design Program," part of the ‘Design Gov’ initiative. The program seeks to empower Emirati talent with advanced, specialised skills that drive innovation in the design of government services and operations. The program provides participants with the essential tools to foresee and shape the future of government operations, ensuring that these services are crafted to enhance quality of life and solidify Dubai and the UAE's position as leaders in human-centered government design.

The 14-week program focuses on instilling a culture of creative design and proactive planning within government entities, and empowering national talent with leadership skills and tools through human-centered design. This will upskill the government employees to design high-impact services, initiatives, and future-oriented projects that enhance Dubai and the UAE’s readiness for the future in vital sectors, such as media, housing, tourism, welfare, technology, economy, health, education, culture, transportation and more.

Hybrid Training
The ‘Lead and Design’ Program features a series of training workshops that combine theoretical insights with practical, hands-on experiences, both within the UAE and internationally. The program also leverages hybrid training methods, allowing participants to explore promising future technologies in design, innovation, and foresight. These experiences aim to transform opportunities into impactful, human-centered government services, policies, and strategies that serve the UAE community.

The program began with an introductory day, followed by a week-long leadership immersion in Amsterdam, Netherlands. This hands-on approach emphasises the development of leadership skills through practical experiences, prioritising human welfare and ensuring a positive impact on society.

Two Phases of Practical Application
The first phase of practical application will follow with five weeks of virtual group training providing an opportunity to strengthen new skills and turn ideas into reality. This is followed by a week of in-person workshops and lectures in Dubai focusing on human-centered design, where participants will practice and apply their learnings to forward their missions.

The second phase of practical application will involve real-world design challenges. The program will culminate in December 2024 in Dubai with a three-day event where participants will present their projects, each aimed at driving tangible, positive future transformations.

World-Class Practices
The program was developed in collaboration with various UAE government entities, as well as leading knowledge centers, research institutions, and academic organisations worldwide. The goal is to adopt cutting-edge global practices and successful strategies to advance government operations.

Notably, the UAE government launched the ‘Design Gov’ Initiative in 2019 to promote a design-centric culture in developing and implementing human-centered initiatives, policies, and programs. This initiative also seeks to harness the power of design in both social and economic contexts, with the ultimate aim of achieving the objectives of the "UAE Centennial 2071".