UAE puts digital platforms to good use

The Federal Authority For Government Human Resources’ (FAHR) decision to activate the Remote Work System for all ministries, authorities, and federal institutions, effective Sunday, March 29, for a renewable period of two weeks, is timely.

According to the decision, which will be subject to revision and reassessment, a maximum of 30 per cent of the workforce of each entity concerned is allowed to be physically present in office while others whose jobs don’t necessitate their physical presence will be working remotely.

At a time when the world is advocating social distancing in order to tackle COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, the UAE’s early adoption of technology has proved very useful.

Digital embrace has been happening in almost all sectors and has helped boost confidence about the country’s ability to keep pace with technological changes.

For example, the Ministry of Interior, MoI, has announced that motorists may apply for the renewal of their driving licence, which expires over the next three months using the available smart applications.

The service comes into effect as of March 29, 2020, and allows for drivers’ licence renewal for up to one year, regardless of eyes’ test or fines and black points, in an effort to enhance health and safety, as part of the precautionary and preventive measures amid the widespread coronavirus pandemic.

The decision allows customers to fully process their transactions via the smart applications or the Ministry of Interior’s website, to ensure that all vital services are provided without interruption.

To ensure continuity of classes while schools remain closed as a precautionary measure against COVID-19, Lughati, a Sharjah-based initiative dedicated to empowering the national Arabic curriculum with smart learning tools, has tied up with the Ministry of Education’s ‘Distance Learning’ initiative.

A total of 13,000 smart tablets distributed to primary-level students in public schools in Sharjah by Lughati will be utilised to implement the Ministry’s distance learning initiative.

As Badria Al Ali, Manager of the Lughati Initiative, points out, “Lughati’s cooperation in the ‘Distance Learning’ initiative reflects our commitment to a national cause which requires the support of educational entities across the board to be successful in achieving our leadership’s goal to protect and safeguard our students, while ensuring the continuity of education during this difficult phase.”

Another initiative aims at supporting UAE-based SMEs to increase their share in the online marketplace. DubaiStore, a new UAE e-commerce marketplace platform created by Digital Economy Solutions, DES, has gone live.

The new e-commerce platform is an initiative that will facilitate small- and medium-sized businesses to sell their products online, offering healthy competition to big e-commerce players, which in turn will provide customers with a unique and pleasant online shopping experience.

DES is a joint venture between technology consulting company emaratech and the Department of Economic Development of Dubai.

More than 1.2 million school and university students across the country joined virtual classrooms recently to continue their lessons with the support of teachers and educators.

The Ministry of Education provided necessary technical and logistical support to ensure smooth implementation of the distance learning system.

As part of the preparation for the digital transition, the ministry worked closely with teachers and coordinated with parents and students to ensure a successful learning experience.

As earlier stated by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai: “Schools are closed, but education will never stop. The UAE is the most well-equipped nation for smart learning.”