University of Dubai highlights key role of smart leaders in establishing smart communities

Smart communities are driven by innovation, and innovation requires smart leaders capable of directing innovative efforts towards human development, said Dr. Eesa M. Bastaki, President of University of Dubai, while addressing a Smart Government Forum organized recently in Dubai by a Kuwaiti organization ‘New Frontiers’.

The Forum was attended by a number of Kuwaiti officials who were in Dubai to learn about the smart initiatives and achievements of local and federal governments in the UAE.

Pointing to the need to build smart communities to achieve a major leap in the quality of services provided to people, Dr. Bastaki said: “Smart cities are built on critical elements such as education, incubators, research and infrastructure. The success of these communities cannot be achieved without knowledge production. Any work based on advanced technologies is dependent on universities and scientific centres and the selection of human and knowledge resources,” Dr. Bastaki said.

He also highlighted the importance of legal institutions, investment banks, employment agencies, marketing and accounting institutions and other supporting entities in this area.

Speaking on the future challenges in the field of ‘Internet of Things’, Dr. Bastaki drew the attention of the audience to the need to identify ways to manage big data, calling for the designing of intelligent and secure systems and flexible infrastructure.

Earlier, welcoming the Kuwaiti delegation and representatives of international companies that participated in the Forum, Dr. Oruba Watar, President of New Frontiers, stressed the importance of intelligent interaction between smart community leaders to improve the chances of success of smart community initiatives.