Google and Adsic push ICT efforts

Google and the Abu Dhabi Systems & Information Centre (Adsic), the government body overseeing the emirate’s strategy for information and communications technology, held a workshop on cooperation to help strengthen the emirate’s government-led innovation and digitisation efforts, the centre said yesterday.

“Adsic strives to forge strategic partnerships with the world’s leading organisations, in an attempt to achieve the goals of the Abu Dhabi Government, especially in digital innovation across all government entities working under its umbrella,” said Saeed Al Mansoori, the executive director of shared government services at Adsic.

The centre, set up in 2008, is tasked with the implementation of the e-government project in the emirate while ensuring a high level of efficiency, confidentiality and safety, among other responsibilities.

“In this digital age, it is critical to acquire the right skills and knowledge of all the tools available on the Web,” said Selim Edde, Google’s head of public policy and government relations for Mena.

“Consumers today are embracing different technologies, but it is more important than ever to integrate this digital-first approach across the board, including in business and government.”

The partnership with Google coincides with the launch of several projects, including an Innovation Lab, which promotes students’ scientific efforts through education-based activities and training, said Abdullah Al Neyadi, the head of the projects unit at the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince’s Court.

The UAE as a whole has made strides in its ICT ranking, which rose to 47 last year from 41 in 2015 in the Global Innovation Index, which is published by Cornell University, INSEAD and the World Intellectual Property Organisation, a United Nations body.