Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum on Sunday attended the launch of the first Diploma in Government Innovation.

H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, was present at the event.

The programme, which will be conducted by the Mohammed bin Rashid Centre for Government Innovation in partnership with the University of Cambridge in the UK, supports the government plan to groom a generation of innovation CEOs in the government entities. Fifty executives from 36 federal and local government departments have joined the first batch of the programme which features intensive training, overseas trips and hosts international experts.

Sheikh Mohammed was keen to attend the first day classes, saying,' We need, more than at any other time, to build specialised cadres and leaders in innovation to sustain our successes.' 'Innovation is the key to revival of life and progress of humanity. It is in our interest in the UAE to pursue our development, progress and renew our march,' HH added.

Speaking to those participating in the programme, with Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister for Cabinet Affairs, also among the attendees, Sheikh Mohammed emphasised the paramount importance that the UAE attaches to innovation, adding that President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan's designation of 2015 as the year of innovation came out of 'our firm conviction that we are living in a rapidly changing world with ever-increasing developments but full of huge opportunities that need professional government leaders who can steer our future in the innovation sector."

Addressing the participants, Sheikh Mohammed said, 'I don't want you to spend the whole year amidst papers and theories ... we want a practical government innovative project from each one of you..... I and Sheikh Mansour will review these projects with you after six months before implementation. The goal is to develop the government, promote the culture of innovation and improve government projects and services. We no longer have time to wait.' The diploma aims to promote concepts of government innovation and build specialised national innovation capacities and foster a new government culture to practice government innovation on daily basis.

In 2014, the government launched the National Innovation Strategy that aims to make the UAE among the most innovative nations in the world within seven years.

The strategy will stimulate innovation in seven sectors where innovation is key to excellence: renewable energy, transport, education, health, technology, water and space. Its first phase includes 30 national initiatives to be completed within three years. These include new legislation, innovation incubators, investment in specialised skills, private-sector incentives, international research partnerships, and an innovation drive within government.