The Dubai Department of Economic Development (DED) organised a workshop for new assessors involved in the Dubai Human Development Award (DHDA) 2008. The workshop, which took place recently at the DED’s headquarters, focused on improving assessors’ understanding of the Award Criteria and their ability to measure the performance of the organisations participating in this year’s award.
The workshop attracted more than 20 human resources specialists from large corporations in the public and private sector. They were trained on how to follow an agreed assessment process and understand the scoring method. Their task is to conduct site visits, measure performance, write feedback reports and assist the organisations involved to meet the standards and criteria of the award.
Dr Kanak Madrecha, Senior Manager - Quality, Business Excellence Centre in Dubai World, who led the workshop, said “The Dubai Human Development Award aims at honouring and recognizing businesses from the private sector, which participate in nurturing the talents of UAE nationals and encourage their contribution to the development of the emirate.”
“DHDA supports Dubai’s Emiratisation drive and is keen to provide UAE nationals with programmes that will help them identify their leadership skills and make extensive use of their potential in environments that promote their development. The workshop enabled the assessors of the award to gain more information on how to evaluate the performance of the participants this year,” added Dr Madrecha.
The Dubai Human Development Award is a key initiative by the DED to boost Dubai’s growth and encourage the contribution of UAE nationals to the development of the emirate. The DHDA recognises the long-term commitment of the private sector to the development of young nationals by offering them the chance to develop and build career paths.
The award covers nine economic sectors: trading, construction, education, professional, services, tourism, finance, manufacturing and semi-government.
Applications are evaluated by a team of assessors who conduct site visits and prepare detailed assessment reports highlighting the existing best practices and the areas for improvement in each company. The examiners evaluate applications on the basis of four criteria that include commitment (20 per cent), process (45 per cent), results (29 per cent) and contribution to society (6 per cent).
About Department of Economic Development (DED):
The Department of Economic Development (DED) was established in March 1992, with the objective to organise, regulate and boost trade and industry within the Emirate of Dubai. The DED has moulded its mission of building a futuristic establishment, in accordance with the vision of the Government of Dubai and in the light of globalisation and the requirements of a digital economy. One of its key functions is to encourage local and foreign investments in commercial and industrial projects, and create the appropriate environment for investors.
The DED’s other functions comprise a wide range of regulatory activities including the preparation and maintenance of a commercial register and the supervision of all organisations. The DED is responsible for regulating the affairs of commercial agents and brokers and commercial advertising offices, in addition to overseeing and controlling the insurance industry in the Emirate. Examining the participation of the government in the private sector and representing the government in companies where it has a stake, also comes under the purview of the DED.
