110 ideas from the outputs of innovation Labs at the GDRFA to address post-Covid-19 challenges

The General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai represented by the Creativity and Innovation center organized a series of remote laboratories under the title " GDRFA Operations and Services After Covid-19», there were 5 innovative laboratories with 277 participants chosen among the general manager assistants, deputies, directors and employees from various career levels. These laboratories aim to limit challenges with the Directorate processes and services which have arisen as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic and to find unprecedented innovative solutions for improvement and development processes to prepare for the post-Covid-19 phase. The number of challenges which were monitored in the laboratories reached 32 challenges. During the laboratories, the performance of all operations and services in the Directorate was reviewed in addition to the performance indicators and opportunities for improvement, reports of best institutional practices during the period of the Covid-19 pandemic were also reviewed. His Excellency Major General Mohamed Ahmed Al-Marri, Director General of GDRFA Dubai, said that the United Arab Emirates has capabilities and proactive solutions which enabled it to confront the Covid- 19 pandemic with all strength and solidity thanks to the precautionary measures taken by the State to limit the spread of the virus, in addition to the tireless efforts of our wise leadership which set future directives reflecting the goals of the UAE Centennial 2071 in promoting economic and social stability for future generations and raising the country's position to compete with the best countries in the world. Major General Al-Marri stressed that the aim of these laboratories is to learn about the Directorate work mechanism after Covid-19 and to develop proactive and immediate solutions in preparation for the next stage and how to employ them in governmental work. “This crisis imposed new rules and mechanisms of action compatible with the requirements of the next phase’’, he said. For his part, Colonel AbdullSamad Hussein, Deputy Assistant Director for Leadership and Future Affairs, affirmed that GDRFA Dubai created opportunities to study and monitor the challenges resulting from the repercussions of the Coronavirus (Covid-19) and suggested solutions for the requirements of the next phase. “Within the outputs of the innovation laboratories, 110 innovative ideas were created so far in all fields related to the work of GDRFA Dubai” he added, noting that the series of laboratories is on continuous effort as the best ideas will be adopted and applied. Colonel AbdullSamad said that the innovation laboratories have greatly contributed in establishing a culture of innovation and enhancing its concept among employees, in addition to motivating employees to participate in order to exchange experiences and benefit from their ideas in the comprehensive transformation of governmental work. This contributes in raising the efficiency of work and the services provided and satisfying the customers at most.