Lt. General HH Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, attended on Wednesday in Abu Dhabi, the graduation ceremony of staff members who completed the second ‘Creativity Development’ programme, organized by the Creativity and Leadership Development Center at the Ministry of Interior, and the inaugural ‘Innovation Diploma’, implemented by the ministry, in cooperation with the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT).

Sheikh Saif was briefed on six new innovative projects that have been shortlisted from a wide range of innovative projects submitted by the Ministry of Interior’s staff members, which aim to promote policing and security work.

Sheikh Saif indicated that this accolade is in response to the directives of the country’s civilized leadership, which strives to encourage creative and innovative people, by choosing innovation as a top priority at this time. He lauded the government's efforts to spread knowledge, and emphasize its significant importance in the process of construction and progress.

He said: "We rely on the flurry of smart innovative projects submitted by the MoI’s staff members, designed to further promote policing and security work. Talent, creativity and innovation cannot flourish proper care and development, in a suitable environment."

Sheikh Saif urged the graduates to pursue work and development, to show appreciation for and to return kindness to this generous country and its wise leadership.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior and the audience were given a graphic overview on the innovation process, and the support granted by the UAE leadership to creative and talented people; as a well as a briefing about the ‘Innovation Diploma’. His Highness also honored the Innovation Department at the Mohammed bin Rashid Center for Government Innovation; the Centre of Excellence for Applied Research and Training (CERT); and the Ministry of Interior's Innovation Center. He also recognized the work team in charge of the diploma program and top-achieving creative and innovative graduates, and handed them their certificates.

The ceremony was attended by Lt. General Saif Abdullah Al Sha’far, Undersecretary at the Ministry of Interior; Major General Dr. Nasser Lakhrebani Al Nuaimi, Secretary General of the Office of HH Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior; Major General Khalifa Hareb Al Khaiaili, Acting Assistant Undersecretary of the Ministry of Interior for Naturalization, Residency and Ports Affairs; Major General Mohammed bin Al Awadhi Al Menhali, Assistant Undersecretary of Resources and Support Services at the Ministry of Interior; and Major General Ahmed Nasser Al Raisi, Inspector General of the Ministry of Interior. Also attending were Major General Salem Mubarak Al Shamesi, Director General of Finance and Services at the Ministry of Interior; Major General Jassem Muhammad Al Marzouqui, Civil Defense General Commander-in-chief; Colonel Mohammed Hamid bin Dalmouj Al Dhaheri, Strategy and Performance Development Director General; Dr. Hasan Al Jafri, CEO of the Centre of Excellence for Applied Research and Training (CERT); Shatha Hamid Hashemi, Executive Director at Mohammed bin Rashid Center for Government Innovation; and a number of senior officers.

Major Muhammad Ismail Al Harmoudi, Director of the Innovation Center at the General Secretariat of the Office of H.H Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, highlighted the center's role in encouraging the culture of innovation, and providing a suitable work environment conducive to innovation that would improve police services. He praised the police leadership’s support to provide the necessary information and knowledge using modern cutting-edge technologies, to help creative and innovative people develop their abilities and innovative skills, which would positively reflect on the various areas of policing and security work.

Lieutenant Colonel Mohammed Ahmed Butti Al Shamesi, Head of Relations and Guidance Section and Faculty Member at the Police College, delivered a speech on behalf of the graduates. He hailed the unlimited support of both, His Highness, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Interior, as well as the Creativity and Leadership Development Centre, to the graduates. He said: "This kind of support has contributed to achieve the innovation strategy mechanism at the Ministry of interior; develop services; manage projects; and encourage the culture of innovation and the innovative leadership."

Sheikh Saif reviewed a number of projects, notably, the smart inspection checkpoints used at the gates; and the inspection checkpoints for venues of major events. Lt. Colonel Salem Ahmed Al Afrit explained that the project aims to support the transition from the traditional methods towards an integrated system, which includes a camera to count the number of the attendees at big gatherings and events, and provide an accurate estimate of their attendance pattern as they enter the events, exhibitions, and conferences sites. The project also sheds the light on future plans and future leadership, whereas the security checkpoints project can be utilized in the future.

The checkpoints provide the event organizer with accurate numbers on the number of guests and visitors; they feature a 360-degree camera to monitor and document the inspection checkpoints data and material, which may be reviewed if and when necessary. The camera is also designed to supervise staff members and ensure that they are providing optimum levels of service. The checkpoints also include a face recognition feature for security situations, as well as a time and attendance system, to automatically track attendance and absence for the security authorities and inspection teams. There are three types of security checkpoints; one for the internal smart inspection checkpoints; one for the external mobile inspection checkpoints; and one for sport facilities. The terminals are linked through an integrated security system to the event’s operations room; which in turn, is linked to the police operations room, which ensures follow-up, and takes the proper decisions, if necessary.

The new innovative projects also include the ‘fingerprint identification project’. Major Jaber Saeedat Al Nasoori, from the Traffic and Patrols General Directorate at the Abu Dhabi Police, said that the project allows fingerprints recognition for cases of fake identities. This system is also used to prove the identity of ladies whose appearance changes due to plastic surgery, or individuals who went through severe weight loss, which may cause a change in their facial features, and make them difficult to recognize; and in cases of claims of identity theft or loss. The device is linked to the criminal system, which will be linked to the EIDA identity database, to provide the fingerprints when necessary.

Major Abdulla Mohammed Al Sammahi, from the Fujairah Police, gave a brief overview of his project, which includes an electronic system capable of estimating the number of people inside a building and their exact location. The system uses a smart card with tracking features, to save security authorities’ time and effort during fire and disaster evacuations. The system also includes a smart map, which provides accurate data on the number of people present, as well as their whereabouts.

Captain Abdulrahman Abdulla Al Shamesi, from the Traffic and Patrols General Directorate at the Abu Dhabi Police, said that the project he presented, in cooperation with his colleague Eng. Mohammed Hanafi includes a LASER-powered signage board. The system will contribute to enhance traffic awareness via a smart screen installed inside the traffic patrol car, which broadcasts footage from accurate cameras that covers the area of jurisdiction of the patrol car, and send laser-powered messages to alert motorists of traffic accidents.

Captain Mohammed Hamad Al Darmaki, from the Creativity and Leadership Development Center at the Ministry of Interior, explained that the project he prepared with his colleague Mubarak Al Hashemi from the General Directorate of Residency in Abu Dhabi is a smart simulation patrol. The idea aims to prepare for the EXPO 2020, to handle the growing numbers of visitors to the UAE expected to attend the event. He explained that the patrol will enhance road control and monitoring, and can be linked to the operations room at the Abu Dhabi Police. It includes cameras; radars; and a remote control feature.

Captain Al Darmaki also gave an overview on his project, the smart airport cart "Go Easy". The cart includes a scale to weigh the luggage and a screen linked to the passport system, and an e-Boarding system, linked to the ports’ system, to facilitate the early check-in for passengers, to save time and effort. The cart also features a GPS system to locate passengers within the airport, as well as passengers’ services, such as ambulance, rescue, and duty free. It also provides hotel reservations, and car rental services, as well as information about the allowed and prohibited substances in the UAE. The cart was chosen by the Department of Economic Development, to feature in an international exhibition to be held in Hanover, Germany on April 24th.

The Innovation Diploma Program plays a major role in qualifying graduates to become lecturers in the field of innovation in the future, which would spread and promote the concept of innovation based on advanced scientific criteria.

The Ministry of Interior, through the second Creativity Development Program, strives to leverage human resources in order to achieve its strategic goals. It also aims to deliver institutional standards by sponsoring and developing creative individuals, as well as nurturing creative competition among employees. The centre embodies the firm belief of the police leadership in the vital importance of discovering and sponsoring creative people in order to develop a young leadership that is capable of excelling.

It is worth mentioning that the Innovation Diploma program spans over 9 weeks, during which students affiliated to the Ministry of Interior will take part in theoretical and practical lectures that focus on innovation, innovation methods, and ways to create educational and training programs.

Source:WAM