Human resources conference attracts more than 30 world’s best speakers in strategy and expertise

The International Human Resources Conference and Exhibition (IHRC 2011), hosted by the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources (FAHR), will bring more than 30 world's best known thought leaders and innovators in human resource development and organisational reforms to the UAE.

The conference and exhibition, to be held in Dubai from Jan. 19 to 20, will set the stage for a global exchange of knowledge and ideas on integrating efficient HR management into the strategic plans and policies of governments and organisations across the world.

Over 300 HR practitioners, heads of states, and experts are expected to attend IHRC 2011, held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai.

Speakers at the conference will analyse regional and international trends and challenges in education, job creation and talent management, linking the debates to the central theme of the conference, "Human Resources: the Sustainable Capital for the New Era."

The conference has already attracted academics, strategists, trainers and consultants from world-leading centres of excellence in knowledge, innovations, leadership and management and from trend-setting public and private sector organisations worldwide.

The list of eminent academics and researchers confirmed to address the conference include Peter Capelli, Professor of Management at the Wharton School and Director of Wharton's Centre for Human Resources; Dr J. Edward Kellough, Professor and Head of the Department of Public Administration at the University of Georgia (USA); Christopher Peterson, Professor of Psychology and Organisational Studies and Director of Michigan Positive Psychology Centre at the University of Michigan, USA; Nansook Park, Associate Professor of Psychology and Co-Director of Michigan Positive Psychology Centre at the University of Michigan, USA; and Paul Sparrow, Director of the Centre for Performance-led HR and Professor of International HR Management at the Lancaster University Management School, UK.

Prominent HR strategists and consultants attending the conference include Haig R. Nalbantian, Senior Partner and Director at Mercer; Dr Julia Sloan, Principal of the New York-based executive development firm Sloan International; and Dr Klaus Kessler, Senior Partner and Head of Boston Consulting Group (BCG) in the Middle East.

The conference will also witness distinguished organisational leaders from the GCC sharing their insights on HR development as well as social and demographic concerns with the international experts.

Lieutenant General Dhahi Khalfan, Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police, will be a keynote speaker at the conference. Dr Khalid Othman All-Yahya, Professor and Director for the Governance and Public Management Programme at the Dubai School of Government; Ahmed Al Nuseirat, Co-ordinator General of the Dubai Government Excellence Programme; Ali Al Ketbi, Assistant Secretary General for Public Administration at the General Secretariat of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council; and Mohamed Aljishi, Senior HR Consultant to the Vice President of HR in Saudi Aramco will also address the conference, enriching the debate with the regional perspective.

The exhibition accompanied with the conference will also witness participation of organisations that have designed and led reforms in education, training, talent management and governance. Abstracts on such transformational initiatives will be presented by the Pacific Rim Consulting Group, Australia; London School of Economics and Political Science, UK; Institute for Employment Studies, UK; Australian Business Volunteers; University of St. Gallen, UAE; Workforce Planning Australia; Ramco Systems Limited, India; Qatar Finance and Business Academy; The ICLIF Leadership & Governance Centre, Malaysia; Dubai Knowledge Village, Sensitisation Centre, Ghana; and Hewitt Associates.

Dr Abdul Rahman Al-Awar, Director-General of the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources, said IHRC 2011 will strive to establish a strong platform for regular exchange of knowledge and networking among HR practitioners worldwide.

"Human capital development ultimately means the intelligent management of a critical resource that is abundant and capable of serving as the best conductors of knowledge. IHRC 2011 seeks to create a dynamic idea exchange for the strategic management and deployment of this valuable resource," said Dr Al-Awar.

IHRC 2011 will also position FAHR as a vehicle of positive change and demonstrate the UAE's commitment to promote sharing of best practices in human resources

development. The conference is supported by the Dubai School of Government and the International Public Management Association for Human Resources (IPMA-HR).