Global government development platform Apolitical has chosen Fadi Salem, Director of Research and Advisory at Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government (MBRSG), among the Worlds 100 Most Influential People in Digital Government.

Fadi Salem was recognised for his duties in leading research efforts at MBRSG to advance digital government rules and increase government revolution through scientific research and studies locally, regionally, and globally.

Bringing together government officials, specialists, innovators, and people involved in developing future governments, Apolitical aims to create a global digital movement and promote smart governments. It publicises the achievements of governments that developed smart solutions tailored to the needs of their communities.

The leaders included in the list were selected from hundreds of candidates from 160 countries around the world, based on scientific and academic criteria, and by a committee of 500 international experts in digital government. The judges assessed candidates based on their roles in driving digital transformation in their government entities.

MBRSGs Executive President His Excellency Dr Ali bin Sebaa Al Marri cheer this achievement, emphasize that it reflects MBRSGs vision to bridge the gap between scientific research and government operations, and train government staff to develop, first, their academic skills, which would positively impact the quality of education and scientific research, and second, their practical skills, in an effort to enhance the quality of government operations and decision-making, and to drive the development of forward-thinking public policies.

For his part, Fadi Salem asserted that his inclusion in the list of the Worlds 100 Most Influential People in Digital Government is a testament to the inspiring working environment that MBRSG has established, and the tremendous efforts it consistently undertakes.

MBRSG is equally determined to support research and studies into modern public policies to keep up with rapid technological developments and improve government functions in light of the digital transformation taking place in the UAE and around the world, H.E. added.

The School has more than 15 years of experience in policy research and digital governance, he said. It has become a leading regional and international research centre, and a credible reference for decision makers, public-sector institutions, and international organisations involved in digital government, public policy, and government innovation.

The Research and Advisory Department operates in accordance with a clear strategic scientific agenda that takes into account the challenges of future governments, and strives to improve the quality of government operations and services. This, in turn, helps ensure that governments are equipped to respond to the opportunities and challenges brought about by the global digital revolution, Salem concluded.

Fadi Salem played an effective role in setting digital economy policies while working for the Dubai Executive Office, in collaboration with senior government officials. In addition to leading the Policy Research Department at MBRSG, Salem was recently selected as a member of Smart Dubais AI Ethics Advisory Board.

The research and studies produced by MBRSG in digital governance around the region have addressed many topics and recent trends in the areas of digital services and the knowledge economy, as well as the effects of big data, social media, the Internet of Things, artificial intelligence and the Fourth Industrial Revolution on government work, smart-city policies and the future of governments.

Apolitical works in partnership with experts in government and policymakers, including the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the World Economic Forum (WEF), the Global Development Institute in the United Kingdom, Harvard University, and the Bernard van Leer Foundation in the Netherlands. The platforms main objective is to enable governments around the world to find innovative solutions to policymaking challenges and facilitating the design of government services.