Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

Dubai Future Foundation (DFF) announced 33 government entities in Dubai have proposed 79 project ideas in the third cycle of the Dubai 10X initiative.

Launched by Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council, Chairman of the Board of Trustees at Dubai Future Foundation, Dubai 10X, which is overseen by DFF, aims to develop government services and drive a shift in mentality among public sector employees. The initiative is in line with Dubai’s efforts to become the world’s most future-ready city.

Dubai 10X aims to encourage collaboration and promote experience exchanges, and some of the latest projects were the result of collaboration between up to 11 entities. Dubai Municipality participated in 16 projects, more than any other entity.

More than 25 workshops were organised as part of the third cycle of Dubai 10X. The sessions hosted teams from across government who discussed and developed ideas and projects based on the need to prepare for future trends, challenges and opportunities.

Khalfan Belhoul, CEO of DFF, said: “The third cycle of Dubai 10X marks a new milestone in government cooperation and supports its efforts to design the future of Dubai, in line with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and the directives of Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council, Chairman of the Board of Trustees at Dubai Future Foundation.

“This initiative has successfully promoted a culture of innovation and partnership among government entities, reflecting Dubai’s commitment to being at the forefront of shaping the future. These efforts are about keeping pace with evolving changes and leveraging new opportunities and technologies that serve society and further enhance our readiness for the future.”

He added: “The projects developed under Dubai 10X are based on unconventional ideas that lead to transformative initiatives within government. They are the result of cooperation between government teams who are committed to building the future of Dubai. This initiative has contributed to the development of skills and talents, equipping employees with the tools of the future and encouraging them to contribute to shaping the future of governance.”

The projects were evaluated according to a set of criteria relating to their potential outcome, the time taken to implement the project, the project’s ability to integrate with other government services, and their impact on the quality of life in Dubai. The approved projects will be announced at a later date.

Amer Abdulraoof, Director of the Dubai 10X initiative, said: “The third cycle’s projects focus on using partnerships to develop innovative government services that help us keep pace with and anticipate changes. These projects help consolidate Dubai’s leadership as one of the best cities for shaping the future of governments.

“These projects were developed by more than 120 government employees from across 33 government entities. Each participant drew on their experiences and skills to co-develop ideas on enhancing government services in sectors including transport, aviation, space, energy, sustainability, infrastructure, economy, trade, finance, health, security, civil defense, community services, and others.”

Launched in 2017, Dubai 10X has contributed to developing many future important projects in Dubai. Some of these have helped provide innovative government services and find solutions to challenges. They have helped Dubai to become a global destination for developing and exporting innovative models of governance. The projects have also encouraged government entities in Dubai to exchange experiences, skills, resources and ideas.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) has launched a back-to-school health awareness campaign from August 17 to 31 to equip parents and students with insights into the significance of adopting healthy lifestyles as they return to school, emphasising the benefits of physical activity, a balanced diet, regulated sleep patterns, and controlled electronic screen time.In collaboration with the Ministry’s representative offices across the UAE, six community events were held at Lulu Hypermarkets.

Additionally, an exclusive awareness session was organized specifically for MoHAP employees.These events involved a series of activities, including healthy cooking workshops for parents and children, guided by expert chefs, where they learned how to prepare nutritious school meals.

Nutritionists provided participants with tips on how to preserve food in school lunch bags during prolonged school hours.

They also introduced parents to the 5,210 health concept, which emphasises five daily servings of fruits and vegetables, an hour of physical activity, limiting screen time to under two hours, and avoiding sugary and energy drinks.Moreover, the events featured discussions with health educators on packing a balanced school lunch, body mass index (BMI) screenings, health counseling for parents, and engaging quizzes. To complement these activities, health prescription booklets were distributed, and virtual awareness workshops were conducted for students’ families and employers, underscoring the Ministry’s commitment to holistic health and wellness as students gear up for the academic year.