MBRSG launches ‘UAE Model Research Centre’

The Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government (MBRSG) has launched the ‘UAE Model Research Centre’ to document and study the UAE’s experience in governance, development, innovation, and economic transformation, and convert the expertise and practices into research outputs, case studies, and applied knowledge that support policymakers, leaders, researchers, and practitioners. The Centre seeks to enhance the use of the UAE’s experience and promote knowledge exchange around it regionally and internationally.

The launch ceremony was attended by H.E Abdulla Bin Zayed Al Falasi, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government,H.E. Dr Saif Saeed Al Muhairi, Assistant Secretary-General for Legislation and Oversight at the Federal National Council (FNC), and Dr Mohammed Salem Al Mazrouei, Board Member of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Library, alongside several officials, academics, researchers, experts, and individuals interested in the fields of government administration, public policy, research, and knowledge.

The launch of the Centre reflects nearly two decades of accumulated research and knowledge at the School in the fields of public administration, public policy, applied research, and capacity building, alongside its governmental, academic, and international partnerships. This foundation enables the School to channel its expertise into a specialised research and knowledge ecosystem dedicated to studying the UAE’s model of government work, analysing its practices and experiences, and transforming them into applied knowledge that supports leadership development, institutional advancement, and evidence‑based policymaking, while strengthening regional and global knowledge exchange.

H.E. Mohamed Bin Taliah, Assistant Minister of Cabinet Affairs for Government Knowledge Exchange Affairs, said that turning the UAE Government’s leading experiences into applied research and knowledge in the field of government administration provides an opportunity to share these experiences and success stories with governments around the world. He noted that this reflects the UAE’s broader approach to sharing knowledge and exchanging experiences, expertise, best practices and innovative solutions.

H.E. Mohamed Bin Taliah said that the UAE Government believes that sharing successful government experiences, programmes and practices with governments around the world can help drive the continued development of government, improve people’s quality of life, and create greater opportunities for future generations.

His Excellency Ali bin Sebaa Al Marri, Executive President of MBRSG, said: “We are proud to launch the ‘UAE Model Research Centre’, which represents a natural extension of the School’s accumulated expertise in research, public policy, and capacity building. It reflects our direction towards systematically documenting and studying the UAE’s experience, and transforming its accumulated practices and insights into knowledge that can be examined, analysed, and utilised.”

The Centre will develop a suite of initiatives and knowledge products, including the ‘UAE Model Knowledge Series’, comprising books, research publications, reports, and policy briefs for documenting UAE government practices, extracting lessons learned, and making them accessible to researchers, policymakers, and practitioners. The Centre's key initiatives also include the ‘UAE Case Study Platform’ for documenting UAE government experiences within rigorous and in‑depth case studies, extracting insights and lessons, and transforming them into knowledge and educational content that supports learning, research, and practical application.

On the sidelines of the Centre’s launch, the UAE Model Research Centre published an in-depth policy brief examining the UAE’s experience with Zero Bureaucracy Programme. The brief explores the evolution of the initiative and the institutionalisation of administrative simplification as a national capability, while drawing out key evidence and lessons from the experience. As one of the Centre’s research and knowledge outputs, the brief reflects its role in documenting and studying government experiences and practices and transforming them into knowledge that can be analysed and utilised.

Dr Yasar Jarrar, Member of the Board of Trustees at MBRSG, said: "The launch of the UAE Model Research Centre aligns with MBRSG’s vision of advancing applied knowledge and harnessing it to support the development of government practice. By transforming accumulated expertise and experiences into studies and knowledge tools that can be effectively utilised, the Centre represents a natural extension of the School’s role in building a research ecosystem that fosters continuous learning and enriches dialogue on government policies and practices. It also provides a platform for expanding partnerships and knowledge exchange, thereby helping to share the UAE’s experience with a broader audience of researchers, practitioners, leaders, and policymakers."

Eiman Al Marzooqi, Manager of the UAE Model Research Centre at MBRSG, said: “The Centre works to systematically and rigorously study and document the UAE government experiences, enabling a deeper understanding of the contexts, policies, practices, and decisions that have shaped its development. It transforms accumulated experience into research, case studies, and applied knowledge that help draw meaningful lessons and build a deeper body of knowledge around the UAE experience.”

She added: “Through the Centre, we aim to develop diverse research and knowledge outputs that contribute to building a documented body of knowledge around the UAE experience and making it accessible to researchers, policymakers, leaders, and practitioners, supporting research, learning, and evidence-based policymaking. This knowledge will also inform future capacity-building and executive education initiatives, while fostering knowledge exchange and collaboration.”

The Centre also plans to develop future initiatives, including the ‘UAE Model Ambassadors Network’, which aims to build a community of leaders, experts, and practitioners, and enhance communication and knowledge exchange around the UAE’s experience locally, regionally, and internationally. Other initiatives include specialised executive education and capacity‑building programmes based on the knowledge produced by the Centre, its case studies, and the experiences it documents. These programmes will address topics relevant to the Centre’s work, including documenting government practices and other related fields, alongside building partnerships with governmental entities and academic, research, and knowledge institutions within the UAE and abroad.

 The launch of the ‘UAE Model Research Centre’ represents an extension of MBRSG’s role as a specialised research and knowledge institution in public administration, public policy, and leadership development. It forms part of the School’s strategic direction to enhance research and produce applied knowledge, transforming its accumulated expertise into practical and knowledge‑based tools aligned with the UAE’s vision for strengthening the knowledge economy, enhancing innovation and competitiveness, and promoting knowledge exchange. The Centre supports leadership and institutional development and the building of a more agile government capable of keeping pace with future transformations.

For more information about the UAE Model Research Centre, its initiatives, and its research and knowledge outputs, please visit: UAEModelResearch.ae