Latest news with #GovernmentBureaucracy
Hi Dubai
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Hi Dubai
Ministry of Sports Launches 'Sportifai' to Drive Digital Transformation in Sports Sector
The Ministry of Sports has launched Sportifai, a new digital platform aimed at revolutionising sports governance and athlete development across the UAE. Unveiled during the "Driving Digital Transformation in the UAE Sports Sector" workshop, Sportifai will serve as a centralised, AI-powered ecosystem to streamline operations, support talent identification, and enhance performance monitoring. The platform aligns with the UAE's National Sports Strategy 2031 and is part of the government's broader push toward smart governance. Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of Sports, described Sportifai as a 'major leap forward' for the sector, highlighting its ability to boost efficiency and innovation. He noted the platform simplifies access to services for sports federations in line with the Zero Government Bureaucracy programme. 'By integrating data analytics and artificial intelligence, Sportifai allows early detection of promising athletes and supports evidence-based decision-making,' Al Falasi added. The platform will be adopted by all sports federations and clubs, according to Ghanim Mubarak Al Hajeri, Undersecretary of the Ministry. It includes advanced systems for athlete data management, talent scouting, and performance analysis. Sheikh Suhail bin Butti Al Maktoum, Assistant Undersecretary for Sports Development and Competitiveness, revealed the platform's brand identity and thanked federation leaders for their collaboration. He stressed the need for continued cooperation to ensure successful implementation. The workshop featured two sessions: one for federation presidents introducing Sportifai , and another for technical and administrative staff focusing on key digital projects. The launch of Sportifai marks a critical step in building a more connected and data-driven sports environment in the UAE. News Source: Emirates News Agency
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Business Standard
06-05-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
UAE cuts paperwork, speeds up degree nods for international students
Less paperwork, faster processing and a lower rejection rate. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has simplified the process of recognising foreign degrees, offering a smoother path for international students and graduates. The UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MoHESR) has introduced a new law cutting the number of documents required from 14 to just four — a 70% reduction. The move forms part of the UAE's wider Zero Government Bureaucracy programme to simplify public services, according to Emirates News Agency (WAM). 'The reduction in documentation is a 70% decrease compared to the previous system and has already shown promising results following its successful pilot launch,' said Ahmad Ibrahim Alsaadi, Acting Assistant Undersecretary for the Higher Education Operations Sector at MoHESR, speaking to Gulf News. Pilot project shows early success Testing of the updated system revealed a sharp improvement. The number of recognised qualifications nearly doubled, jumping from 5,780 to 12,180. Meanwhile, the rejection rate for applications dropped from 8.3% to 3.5%. The updated system will integrate with local scholarship providers and will apply across all academic fields and institutions. 'This system streamlines the recognition process, helping students and graduates move towards employment or postgraduate studies more easily. It supports our commitment to creating a seamless and proactive educational experience,' said Alsaadi. Expansion of digital services The Ministry is also expanding its digital services to cover the entire student journey — from admission through graduation and into the workforce. Officials said the changes will help the UAE bring its educational processes closer to global practices, improving access and reducing waiting times. Students and graduates have been invited to visit the MoHESR website for full instructions on using the revised recognition service. Zero Government Bureaucracy programme targets The Zero Government Bureaucracy programme, launched to improve government efficiency, focuses on three main goals, according to UAE: Eliminating 2,000 unnecessary government measures Reducing procedure timeframes by at least 50% Removing all duplicate and redundant requirements Second phase of certificate recognition system Last year, the Ministry of Education (MoE) rolled out the second phase of its "University Certificates Recognition" system. It brought additional changes to simplify procedures for graduates of foreign universities: < An 85% reduction in the number of documents needed < A 50% cut in transaction execution time < Halving of the steps required for certificate recognition The Ministry encouraged students to use the new online system to complete their applications more quickly. Fields with relaxed recognition rules Recognition requirements have been relaxed for specific specialisations, including: Architecture and built environment Computer science and information systems Data sciences Natural sciences Education and training Law and legal studies Dr Hassan AlSayegh, Advisor to the Minister of Education, said user feedback and ongoing monitoring led to the decision to ease the rules for top-ranked universities. 'This approach encourages students to pursue high-quality education and supports better educational outcomes overall,' said AlSayegh. Impact for Indian students and graduates The changes are particularly relevant for Indians, who make up the largest expatriate group in the UAE. According to India's Ministry of External Affairs, as of 2025, approximately four million Indians live in the UAE. In terms of annual migration, over 130,000 Indians move there for work opportunities every year. For Indian students and professionals, the new system offers several advantages: Faster degree recognition: Those graduating from universities in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada or Europe will find the process much quicker. Fewer documents required: The reduction to just four documents will ease the burden on applicants. Lower risk of rejection: The fall in rejection rates means a better chance for Indian qualifications to be accepted without hurdles. Support for popular fields: Many Indians work in fields such as IT, law, education and architecture — all of which now have relaxed rules.
Gulf News
29-04-2025
- Business
- Gulf News
UAE revamps foreign qualification recognition process, cutting bureaucracy by over 70%
Abu Dhabi: In a major step towards simplifying the recognition of foreign higher education qualifications, the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MoHESR) has announced an updated system under Ministerial Resolution No. (34) of 2025. This new framework drastically reduces the documentation requirements from 14 to just four, marking a 70% cut compared to the previous process. The move, which aligns with the UAE's Zero Government Bureaucracy programme, is set to enhance the educational journey for students by making the recognition process more seamless and efficient while maintaining the integrity and authenticity of foreign qualifications. Key step Ahmad Ibrahim Alsaadi, Acting Assistant Undersecretary for the Higher Education Operations Sector at MoHESR, said that the decision is a key step in supporting the UAE's Zero Government Bureaucracy programme. The revamped system drastically reduces the required documents from 14 to four, offering students a more efficient and flexible process. According to Alsaadi, this reduction in documentation is a 70% decrease compared to the previous system and has already shown promising results following its successful pilot launch. Pilot project The pilot phase demonstrated the system's positive impact, increasing the number of recognised qualifications from 5,780 to 12,180, and reducing declined requests from 8.3% to 3.5%. Alsaadi also noted that the new system integrates seamlessly with local scholarship bodies, allowing for the efficient recognition of foreign qualifications across all specialisations and universities. 'This system streamlines the recognition process, helping students and graduates navigate the path to employment or postgraduate studies with ease,' Alsaadi said. 'It embodies our commitment to creating a seamless, proactive, and excellence-driven educational experience, ultimately supporting students' academic and career goals.' Digital services As part of the broader efforts to improve the student journey, MoHESR is also enhancing its digital services to support students from enrolment through to graduation. This includes integrating these services to facilitate smoother transitions into the workforce, further advancing the UAE's educational landscape in alignment with global best practices.
Khaleej Times
28-04-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
New UAE resolution to ensure validity of qualifications from foreign universities for recognition
A new resolution has been issued regarding the recognition of qualifications issued outside the UAE by foreign higher education institutions, the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research announced on Monday. Under this, key conditions are set in place to ensure authenticity of the qualification and to make sure that the university is legally established, licensed and accredited by the relevant accreditation body in its home country. These will also ensure the validity of qualifications while reducing the time, effort and documentation required during the process. Students and graduates coming from foreign higher education institutions can apply for the recognition service by visiting the service page on the authority's website. The decision falls under the Zero Government Bureaucracy programme which saw the number of requirements being reduced by over 70 per cent compared to the previous system, and the number of students with recognised qualifications rise from 5,780 to 12,180 compared to last year. The number of required documents was reduced from 14 to four, improving access to recognition data and lowering declined requests from 8.3 to 3.5 per cent, according to pilot launch data. The Ministerial Resolution No. (34) of 2025 will integrate with various local scholarship bodies to streamline the recognition of foreign qualifications, using two unified standards across all specialisations and universities. This will enhance the graduate experience, simplifying certificates recognition for employment or continuation of postgraduate studies.
Zawya
07-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Etihad Water and Electricity drives transformation under the UAE's Zero Government Bureaucracy Programme
Dubai, UAE: Reinforcing its commitment to customer-centric innovation, Etihad Water and Electricity (EtihadWE) continues to enhance service efficiency, implementing nearly fifty initiatives to streamline processes, eliminate bureaucracy, and improve customer satisfaction. In alignment with the UAE's Zero Government Bureaucracy (ZGB) programme, EtihadWE has introduced strategic measures to accelerate approvals, simplify applications, and integrate digital solutions, ensuring a seamless customer experience. Enhancing Service Connections with Digital Efficiency EtihadWE has restructured its service connection process, cutting the approval steps from 13 to just eight, significantly reducing waiting times. Key improvements include automated invoice issuance following surveys, eliminating manual intervention, and AI-powered approvals for Land Clearance Certificates (LCC) and drawing submissions. Integration with Civil Defence and Free Zones has further expedited approvals, facilitating smoother access for commercial and infrastructure projects. Advancing Customer Services Through Innovation EtihadWE is driving digital transformation to enhance customer convenience. Smart meters now provide real-time consumption tracking, proactive leak detection, and faster service restoration. Customers benefit from expanded digital payment options, including Apple Pay and Tabby. The company is currently working on a new route tracking system that will allow customers to monitor the arrival of emergency technical teams. Additionally, the AI-powered customer support system will offer multilingual assistance, while a revamped online appointment booking system will improve service accessibility. Strengthening Strategic Partnerships EtihadWE continues to expand collaboration with key governmental entities. New agreements enable electronic integration with the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, expediting residential approvals. The company has also partnered with local municipalities and TAS'HEEL, streamlining documentation processes. In line with national sustainability efforts, EtihadWE is supporting the agricultural sector in the Northern Emirates, optimising water and electricity distribution. The launch of the early connection initiative further enhances flexibility and accelerates access to essential utilities for new developments. A Vision for the Future Eng. Yousif Al Ali, CEO of EtihadWE, stated: 'These initiatives mark a significant transformation in how we serve our customers. By embedding efficiency, innovation, and digital transformation across our operations, we are delivering a more agile, customer-focused service in line with the UAE's progressive vision.' He added: 'Our commitment to continuous improvement reflects our responsibility to the communities we serve. Through strategic partnerships and cutting-edge technology, EtihadWE is reshaping the utilities sector for the better.' With nearly fifty initiatives in progress, EtihadWE remains at the forefront of utility innovation, ensuring faster, more efficient, and customer-centric services across the UAE.
