Latest news with #SharjahDigitalDepartment


Sharjah 24
2 days ago
- Business
- Sharjah 24
Sharjah CP approves Sharjah Digital Integration Prog
Visit to Sharjah Digital Department This statement came during Sharjah Crown Prince's visit on Wednesday, accompanied by His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Salem bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, to the Sharjah Digital Department (SDD). The purpose of the visit was to assess the department's readiness to lead the digital future of the Emirate of Sharjah. Appreciation for efforts Sharjah Crown Prince praised the efforts made by the working teams and specialists to empower the digital sector within the Sharjah Government. During his visit, Sharjah Crown Prince approved the Sharjah Digital Integration Programme and its executive plan, which constitutes the foundation for building an interconnected digital system that enhances governmental efficiency and enriches the customer experience. Digital Integration Programme The programme includes a set of success factors that reflect reality and create the desired impact, primarily centered around the digital transformation strategy for the Emirate of Sharjah. This strategy is encapsulated in the vision of "Human-Centric Digital Creativity." It comprises over 50 digital initiatives that represent a qualitative leap in the emirate's digital future, as well as a digital cooperation charter, which is fundamental for integration between government entities and the SDD. Collaborative Development Methodology The program was prepared following a participatory and integrated development methodology, in collaboration with more than 250 representatives from government entities, the public, and the private sector. It aims to redefine digital work away from traditional models, targeting practical outcomes and clear roles, in harmony with the state's directions while placing the uniqueness of the Emirate of Sharjah at the heart of its vision. Accompanying delegation During his visit, the Crown Prince of Sharjah was accompanied by Sheikh Saud bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Director General of the Sharjah Digital Department; Asmaa Rashid bin Tali'a, Secretary-General of Sharjah Executive Council; Engineer Lamya Obaid Al Hosan Al Shamsi, SDD Director; and Ahmed Hamad Al Suwaidi, Assistant Secretary-General of the Executive Council of the Emirate of Sharjah.


Mid East Info
11-05-2025
- Business
- Mid East Info
Sharjah Digital Department enhances emirate's readiness for the future through 'The Era of AI is Here' leadership workshop
Saud bin Sultan Al Qasimi: With people at the heart of digital innovation, we firmly believe that investing in government capabilities in emerging technologies is fundamental to achieving sustainable excellence and enhancing the quality of life across our communities Sharjah,May 2025: In a strategic step that underscores the Government of Sharjah's commitment to digital transformation and the empowerment of national talent, Sharjah Digital Department, in collaboration with Microsoft and INSEAD, organised a specialised training workshop titled 'The Era of AI is Here, aimed at department heads and general managers across various government entities in the emirate. Designed for senior government leaders, including general managers and executives from various entities across the emirate, the workshop took place at the Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park, with 35 participants from both government and private sector entities in attendance. Organised as part of SDD's commitment to fostering a data-driven culture, the event aimed to enhance the government sector's preparedness for the future by embracing cutting-edge technological innovations. The workshop was designed to equip leaders with the knowledge and tools to harness the power of artificial intelligence to improve institutional performance, elevate the quality of government services, and drive innovation in decision-making. H.E. Sheikh Saud bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Director General of Sharjah Digital Department, underscored the workshop's significance in advancing Sharjah's digital transformation journey. He stated: 'This workshop marks a strategic milestone in our pursuit of a government driven by intelligence, data, and insight, where decision-making and service delivery align with the emirate's future vision. Artificial intelligence is no longer a distant possibility but an essential instrument for addressing today's challenges and shaping tomorrow's opportunities.' He added: 'We are not merely preparing for the future; we are actively shaping it. With people at the heart of digital innovation, we firmly believe that investing in government capabilities in emerging technologies is fundamental to achieving sustainable excellence and enhancing the quality of life across our communities.' He continued: 'We believe that meaningful partnerships are essential to building an advanced and future-ready government. That's why we prioritise collaboration with leading global organisations such as Microsoft, with whom we share a productive strategic relationship. This workshop reflects our commitment to transforming such partnerships into tangible opportunities for training and knowledge-sharing, accelerating digital transformation and ensuring innovation remains a driving force in government work.' The session also explored artificial intelligence's latest scientific perspectives and practical applications, offering a structured framework for evaluating its use in government work. It also addressed the stages of institutional maturity in adopting AI technologies and the associated challenges and risks. This workshop forms part of a broader series of strategic initiatives launched by Sharjah Digital Department as part of its mission to lead digital transformation. By designing proactive, human-centred solutions driven by modern technologies and data, the department aims to enhance quality of life and elevate service delivery across the emirate. The initiative also aligns with the Government of Sharjah's vision to future-proof the public sector and foster partnerships with leading international technology institutions.


Zawya
11-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Sharjah Digital Department enhances emirate's readiness for the future through 'The Era of AI is Here' leadership workshop
Saud bin Sultan Al Qasimi: With people at the heart of digital innovation, we firmly believe that investing in government capabilities in emerging technologies is fundamental to achieving sustainable excellence and enhancing the quality of life across our communities Sharjah: In a strategic step that underscores the Government of Sharjah's commitment to digital transformation and the empowerment of national talent, Sharjah Digital Department, in collaboration with Microsoft and INSEAD, organised a specialised training workshop titled 'The Era of AI is Here, aimed at department heads and general managers across various government entities in the emirate. Designed for senior government leaders, including general managers and executives from various entities across the emirate, the workshop took place at the Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park, with 35 participants from both government and private sector entities in attendance. Organised as part of SDD's commitment to fostering a data-driven culture, the event aimed to enhance the government sector's preparedness for the future by embracing cutting-edge technological innovations. The workshop was designed to equip leaders with the knowledge and tools to harness the power of artificial intelligence to improve institutional performance, elevate the quality of government services, and drive innovation in decision-making. H.E. Sheikh Saud bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Director General of Sharjah Digital Department, underscored the workshop's significance in advancing Sharjah's digital transformation journey. He stated: 'This workshop marks a strategic milestone in our pursuit of a government driven by intelligence, data, and insight, where decision-making and service delivery align with the emirate's future vision. Artificial intelligence is no longer a distant possibility but an essential instrument for addressing today's challenges and shaping tomorrow's opportunities.' He added: 'We are not merely preparing for the future; we are actively shaping it. With people at the heart of digital innovation, we firmly believe that investing in government capabilities in emerging technologies is fundamental to achieving sustainable excellence and enhancing the quality of life across our communities." He continued: "We believe that meaningful partnerships are essential to building an advanced and future-ready government. That's why we prioritise collaboration with leading global organisations such as Microsoft, with whom we share a productive strategic relationship. This workshop reflects our commitment to transforming such partnerships into tangible opportunities for training and knowledge-sharing, accelerating digital transformation and ensuring innovation remains a driving force in government work." The session also explored artificial intelligence's latest scientific perspectives and practical applications, offering a structured framework for evaluating its use in government work. It also addressed the stages of institutional maturity in adopting AI technologies and the associated challenges and risks. This workshop forms part of a broader series of strategic initiatives launched by Sharjah Digital Department as part of its mission to lead digital transformation. By designing proactive, human-centred solutions driven by modern technologies and data, the department aims to enhance quality of life and elevate service delivery across the emirate. The initiative also aligns with the Government of Sharjah's vision to future-proof the public sector and foster partnerships with leading international technology institutions.


Mid East Info
08-05-2025
- Business
- Mid East Info
Sharjah Digital Department organises ‘Sharjah GIS Forum' - Middle East Business News and Information
Enhancing Government Integration and Digital Transformation Saud bin Sultan Al Qasimi: Geospatial data has become an essential element to support decision-making, develop services and raise the efficiency of government performance Sharjah,May 2025: Sharjah Digital Department (SDD) organised the inaugural Sharjah Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Forum, bringing together government entities and leading technology companies in the field across the emirate. The forum forms part of SDD's ongoing efforts to advance digital transformation and strengthen institutional integration by leveraging the latest GIS technologies. The forum, held at Aljada by Arada in Sharjah, drew significant attendance, with around 172 participants. Among the distinguished attendees were several senior officials from Sharjah's government departments and institutions, including His Excellency Eng. Omar Khalfan bin Huraimel Al Shamsi, Chairman of Department of Municipalities Affairs, and His Excellency Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Director of Sharjah Publishing City. Strengthening joint action: His Excellency Sheikh Saud bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Director General of Sharjah Digital Department, emphasised the forum's role as a vital platform for exchanging expertise and expanding collaboration among government entities. He highlighted the growing importance of spatial data as a foundational element in supporting decision-making, enhancing service delivery, and improving overall government performance. His Excellency expressed his hope that the forum would foster greater cooperation in building an integrated digital environment grounded in accurate, reliable information towards serving the community and advancing the emirate's shared development goals. A Step Towards Digital Integration: In her opening speech, Her Excellency Eng. Lamia Al Hussan Al Shamsi, Director of SDD, emphasised the critical role of geographic information systems in urban planning, infrastructure management, environmental monitoring, and public services. She described GIS as a key enabler of sustainable development guided by clear visions and strategic planning. Her Excellency also reaffirmed SDD's commitment to strengthening this vital sector, empowering its workforce, aligning collaborative efforts, and investing in initiatives that improve quality of life and advance digital integration across the emirate. In this context, Her Excellency highlighted the Mada Geographic Data Platform, launched by SDD during GITEX 2024, as a key step toward advancing geospatial data sharing across the UAE. Mada is a centralised, continuously updated database that enables seamless exchange of geographic information between government entities. This facilitates more effective spatial planning, streamlines government processes, and enhances the quality of public services, ultimately supporting the emirate's economic growth. A Paradigm Shift: His Excellency Obaid Saeed Al Tunaiji, Director General of Sharjah City Municipality, affirmed that the Municipality's participation in the forum reflects its commitment to sharing its expertise and showcasing its projects in the field of geographic information systems. He noted that the forum also provides an opportunity to learn from other experiences to strengthen institutional performance and enhance operational efficiency, in line with the emirate's strategic direction. Al Tunaiji highlighted several advanced digital initiatives driven by GIS technology, including the 'Smart Inspection' system and the digital platform for issuing No Objection Certificates for sewage services. Urban Planning Support: Eng. Fatima Juma, Head of the GIS Department at Department of Town Planning and Survey, affirmed that the Department's participation in the forum aimed to highlight its key applications and strategic directions in the field of modern geography and urban planning. She explained that the presentation focused on core themes such as geospatial data and statistics, the integration of geographic artificial intelligence in future planning, and the development of smart cities. She also emphasised the role of geographic information systems in advancing urban projects and underscored the importance of strengthening partnerships to support the growth of this vital sector. Innovation for Sustainable Development: Khalid Abdullah Al Zarooni, Head of Information Technology at Sharjah Archaeology Authority, stated that the Authority's participation in the forum provided a valuable opportunity to showcase its pioneering project, the 'Archaeological Geographic Information System,' which reflects its steadfast commitment to preserving the cultural heritage of the Emirate of Sharjah. He noted that the forum served as an effective platform for exchanging expertise, fostering knowledge-sharing, and exploring avenues for enhanced cooperation in leveraging digital innovation to support sustainable development, aligned with the emirate's comprehensive strategic vision. Ambitious Goals: The Sharjah Geographic Information Systems Forum aimed to familiarise participating entities with the latest technical solutions and global best practices in the field of geographic information systems (GIS) and how these can be leveraged to enhance government performance through effective spatial data collection, analysis, and visualisation. It also sought to strengthen cooperation between government departments by promoting data and information sharing, thereby accelerating procedures, improving service delivery, and supporting informed decision-making based on sound scientific principles. The event further aimed to advance integration in executing joint projects and strategic plans across the emirate. Insights and experiences: The forum featured a series of specialised sessions highlighting the role of geographic information systems in predicting natural disasters, supporting urban planning, and building unified geospatial frameworks to enhance coordination between federal and local entities. Discussions also covered the application of GIS in protecting archaeological sites, streamlining inspection processes, and issuing no-objection certificates (NOCs), alongside a presentation of GIS implementations by the Sharjah Electricity, Water and Gas Authority. Other session topics explored integrating advanced technologies, such as digital twin models and artificial intelligence, to support smart geospatial solutions, particularly in areas like rainwater collection, flood management, and spatial data analysis to improve the efficiency of government operations. Honouring: The forum emphasised the importance of unifying efforts in exchanging geospatial data to enable greater integration and accessibility of information. This, in turn, contributes to more efficient planning and management, reduces time and effort, and supports the development of accurate, strategic decision-making that advances comprehensive development across the Emirate of Sharjah. The event concluded with a ceremony honouring participating entities in recognition of their valuable contributions to digital transformation and the enhancement of smart government performance.


Zawya
08-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Sharjah Digital Department organises ‘Sharjah GIS Forum'
Saud bin Sultan Al Qasimi: Geospatial data has become an essential element to support decision-making, develop services and raise the efficiency of government performance Sharjah: Sharjah Digital Department (SDD) organised the inaugural Sharjah Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Forum, bringing together government entities and leading technology companies in the field across the emirate. The forum forms part of SDD's ongoing efforts to advance digital transformation and strengthen institutional integration by leveraging the latest GIS technologies. The forum, held at Aljada by Arada in Sharjah, drew significant attendance, with around 172 participants. Among the distinguished attendees were several senior officials from Sharjah's government departments and institutions, including His Excellency Eng. Omar Khalfan bin Huraimel Al Shamsi, Chairman of Department of Municipalities Affairs, and His Excellency Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Director of Sharjah Publishing City. Strengthening joint action His Excellency Sheikh Saud bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Director General of Sharjah Digital Department, emphasised the forum's role as a vital platform for exchanging expertise and expanding collaboration among government entities. He highlighted the growing importance of spatial data as a foundational element in supporting decision-making, enhancing service delivery, and improving overall government performance. His Excellency expressed his hope that the forum would foster greater cooperation in building an integrated digital environment grounded in accurate, reliable information towards serving the community and advancing the emirate's shared development goals. A Step Towards Digital Integration In her opening speech, Her Excellency Eng. Lamia Al Hussan Al Shamsi, Director of SDD, emphasised the critical role of geographic information systems in urban planning, infrastructure management, environmental monitoring, and public services. She described GIS as a key enabler of sustainable development guided by clear visions and strategic planning. Her Excellency also reaffirmed SDD's commitment to strengthening this vital sector, empowering its workforce, aligning collaborative efforts, and investing in initiatives that improve quality of life and advance digital integration across the emirate. In this context, Her Excellency highlighted the Mada Geographic Data Platform, launched by SDD during GITEX 2024, as a key step toward advancing geospatial data sharing across the UAE. Mada is a centralised, continuously updated database that enables seamless exchange of geographic information between government entities. This facilitates more effective spatial planning, streamlines government processes, and enhances the quality of public services, ultimately supporting the emirate's economic growth. A Paradigm Shift His Excellency Obaid Saeed Al Tunaiji, Director General of Sharjah City Municipality, affirmed that the Municipality's participation in the forum reflects its commitment to sharing its expertise and showcasing its projects in the field of geographic information systems. He noted that the forum also provides an opportunity to learn from other experiences to strengthen institutional performance and enhance operational efficiency, in line with the emirate's strategic direction. Al Tunaiji highlighted several advanced digital initiatives driven by GIS technology, including the 'Smart Inspection' system and the digital platform for issuing No Objection Certificates for sewage services. Urban Planning Support Eng. Fatima Juma, Head of the GIS Department at Department of Town Planning and Survey, affirmed that the Department's participation in the forum aimed to highlight its key applications and strategic directions in the field of modern geography and urban planning. She explained that the presentation focused on core themes such as geospatial data and statistics, the integration of geographic artificial intelligence in future planning, and the development of smart cities. She also emphasised the role of geographic information systems in advancing urban projects and underscored the importance of strengthening partnerships to support the growth of this vital sector. Innovation for Sustainable Development Khalid Abdullah Al Zarooni, Head of Information Technology at Sharjah Archaeology Authority, stated that the Authority's participation in the forum provided a valuable opportunity to showcase its pioneering project, the 'Archaeological Geographic Information System,' which reflects its steadfast commitment to preserving the cultural heritage of the Emirate of Sharjah. He noted that the forum served as an effective platform for exchanging expertise, fostering knowledge-sharing, and exploring avenues for enhanced cooperation in leveraging digital innovation to support sustainable development, aligned with the emirate's comprehensive strategic vision. Ambitious Goals The Sharjah Geographic Information Systems Forum aimed to familiarise participating entities with the latest technical solutions and global best practices in the field of geographic information systems (GIS) and how these can be leveraged to enhance government performance through effective spatial data collection, analysis, and visualisation. It also sought to strengthen cooperation between government departments by promoting data and information sharing, thereby accelerating procedures, improving service delivery, and supporting informed decision-making based on sound scientific principles. The event further aimed to advance integration in executing joint projects and strategic plans across the emirate. Insights and experiences The forum featured a series of specialised sessions highlighting the role of geographic information systems in predicting natural disasters, supporting urban planning, and building unified geospatial frameworks to enhance coordination between federal and local entities. Discussions also covered the application of GIS in protecting archaeological sites, streamlining inspection processes, and issuing no-objection certificates (NOCs), alongside a presentation of GIS implementations by the Sharjah Electricity, Water and Gas Authority. Other session topics explored integrating advanced technologies, such as digital twin models and artificial intelligence, to support smart geospatial solutions, particularly in areas like rainwater collection, flood management, and spatial data analysis to improve the efficiency of government operations. Honouring The forum emphasised the importance of unifying efforts in exchanging geospatial data to enable greater integration and accessibility of information. This, in turn, contributes to more efficient planning and management, reduces time and effort, and supports the development of accurate, strategic decision-making that advances comprehensive development across the Emirate of Sharjah. The event concluded with a ceremony honouring participating entities in recognition of their valuable contributions to digital transformation and the enhancement of smart government performance.