MBR Library discusses shining traits of VP’s leadership

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

The Mohammed Bin Rashid Library organised a session to discuss the book “The Sheikh CEO: Lessons in Leadership”, to celebrate the birthday of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. The book delves into His Highness's inspiring principles of leadership.

The session was introduced by the book's author, Dr. Yasar Jarrar, Board Member at the Mohammed Bin Rashid School of Government. He presented to the audience the key leadership principles adopted by His Highness, which have contributed to qualitative transformations in government, economic, and social work in Dubai.

The session highlighted His Highness's forward-looking philosophy and his vision for anticipating the future. Dr. Jarrar cited His Highness's statement: "The future does not wait. The future can be designed and built today." He emphasised the role of leadership in transforming visions into tangible achievements and motivating individuals toward creativity and excellence.

The session discussed Dubai's transformation into a global model for future cities, and how His Highness adopted a policy of deliberate challenge and risk-taking to achieve qualitative accomplishments in record time. Jarrar explained that effective leadership, in accordance with His Highness's vision, relies on harnessing individual energies and unifying collective efforts to achieve major goals, while stressing the need for leaders to strive to make Dubai "number one" in multiple fields.

Furthermore, the session included an open dialogue with the audience, allowing participants to ask questions and share their experiences and ideas. In his closing remarks, Dr. Jarrar emphasised that the leadership lessons inspired by the experience of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum will remain a source of inspiration for future generations, calling on everyone to embrace His Highness's leadership philosophy and creating remarkable accomplishments.

At the end of the session, Dr. Jarrar signed copies of his book for the attendees.

The session, part of a programme to empower young minds and enhance the role of women in society, witnessed a remarkable turnout of youth and those interested in leadership and management. The attendees engaged with the inspiring ideas presented on transforming challenges into opportunities and creating positive change.

Recently, the Mohammed bin Rashid Library (MBRL) gifted 5,000 books in both Arabic and English to national service recruits in the armed forces, reaffirming its role in spreading knowledge and fostering a culture of reading as a way of life in society. This initiative, part of the "A World Reads" initiative, coincides with the Reading Month.

Dr. Mohammed Salem Al Mazrooei, Board Member of the MBRL Foundation, emphasised that this initiative reflects the library's commitment to promoting reading and intellectual development among the nation's youth, contributing to the creation of a creative and knowledgeable society capable of facing future challenges.

He stated that encouraging armed forces recruits to read helps empower them with knowledge and prepares them to become effective leaders in the future.

Since its launch in April 2023, the initiative has reached a quarter of a million beneficiaries, with the library donating 80,000 books to more than 200 institutions and schools. The library is also inviting publishers and cultural organisations to donate books in support of this initiative.

A report last year says many achievements have been logged by it and it has achieved many milestones during the period. They have contributed to consolidating its position as a prominent cultural and knowledge hub of the UAE. Since its inauguration, it has attracted nearly 1.5 million visitors of different age groups and nationalities. The library has also witnessed a significant increase in the number of books added to its collection, with more than 225,300 new Arabic books being included, with approximately 54,000 new books being in non-Arabic languages.

It has organised nearly 500 diverse events, including cultural, scientific, arts, and literary commemorations, for different age groups, in both Arabic and English. They included a series of workshops, seminars, literary evenings, and art exhibitions. MBRL welcomed more than 200 high-level official and diplomatic delegations from inside and outside the UAE. The visits were to foster cultural ties and knowledge cooperation between the UAE and other countries and to contribute to the exchange of expertise and knowledge.