DUBAI // Two government employees at the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) are among the first to be allowed - and even encouraged - to use Twitter and Facebook at work.
Their assignments are part of a long-term "eGovernment" project led by the TRA for all ministries and departments to provide more services and solicit user input over the internet.
"Social media needs to be part of overall communications and capacity-building strategies," said the TRA director general Mohamed Nasser al Ghanim, according to WAM, the state news agency. "It provides them with greater opportunities to share more information [and] helps them in obtaining the required feedbacks."
While other government bodies have built increasingly interactive websites, few have embraced social media, often fearing it could harm their reputation, said Fadi Salem, the director of the governance and innovation programme at the Dubai School of Government.
"Until today you have government departments that not only block social media tools but also ask their employees not to use them, especially in their professional capacity," he said.
Their concerns - that private information would be leaked, the department's reputation could be damaged, inappropriate content would be posted, or employees would be less productive - were addressed in a 24-page set of "Guidelines for Social Media Usage in UAE Government Entities" released in February.
"These risks can be mitigated by applying the proper controls," the document said.
The TRA said it guards against offensive posts by monitoring comments on its Facebook page and vetting comments on its YouTube page before they go live.
But most of the few posts so far have been mundane - such as questions about telecommunications law or directions to the office. "It is still a new field," a spokesman said.
The push for eGovernment reflects the popularity of the internet and social media. Forty-five per cent of residents use Facebook - the highest rate in the Arab region and the ninth highest rate in the world, the Dubai School of Government reported this year, citing official Facebook data.
Not all government websites perform well, however. An internal review in March found that, of 40 federal-level sites evaluated, 15 were "below par" and nine were "adequately compliant", scoring between 65 and 84 out of 100.
In a recent report by the World Economic Forum, the UAE ranked fourth out of 138 countries in using information and communication technology to improve the efficiency of government services, with a score of 6 out of 7.
However, in terms of the Government's delivery of online services, it came in at 96th between Nicaragua and Georgia. It placed 80th for its "quality, relevance, usefulness and willingness" to provide info and receive feedback.
This week, the federal Government relaunched its online portal. The site provides all sorts of services, from sending a message to Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to printing application forms to have a sample of fertiliser tested.
chuang@thenational.ae
Jigra
Starring: Alia Bhatt, Vedang Raina, Manoj Pahwa, Harsh Singh
Thank You for Banking with Us
Director: Laila Abbas
Starring: Yasmine Al Massri, Clara Khoury, Kamel El Basha, Ashraf Barhoum
Rating: 4/5
THE APPRENTICE
Director: Ali Abbasi
Starring: Sebastian Stan, Maria Bakalova, Jeremy Strong
Rating: 3/5
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
In-demand jobs and monthly salaries
- Technology expert in robotics and automation: Dh20,000 to Dh40,000
- Energy engineer: Dh25,000 to Dh30,000
- Production engineer: Dh30,000 to Dh40,000
- Data-driven supply chain management professional: Dh30,000 to Dh50,000
- HR leader: Dh40,000 to Dh60,000
- Engineering leader: Dh30,000 to Dh55,000
- Project manager: Dh55,000 to Dh65,000
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- Field engineer: Dh6,500 to Dh7,500
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Results
2pm: Maiden (TB) Dh60,000 (Dirt) 1,200m, Winner: Mouheeb, Tom Marquand (jockey), Nicholas Bachalard (trainer)
2.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh68,000 (D) 1,200m, Winner: Honourable Justice, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer
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4pm: Maiden (TB) Dh60,000 (D) 1,600m, Winner: Dark Of Night. Antonio Fresu, Al Muhairi.
4.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh68,000 (D) 1,600m, Winner: Habah, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson
Quick pearls of wisdom
Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”
Know how to fight: Shetty married his wife, Radhi, three years ago (he met her in a meditation class before he went off and became a monk). He says they’ve had to learn to respect each other’s “fighting styles” – he’s a talk it-out-immediately person, while she needs space to think. “When you’re having an argument, remember, it’s not you against each other. It’s both of you against the problem. When you win, they lose. If you’re on a team you have to win together.”
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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The specs: 2018 Audi RS5
Price, base: Dh359,200
Engine: 2.9L twin-turbo V6
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 450hp at 5,700rpm
Torque: 600Nm at 1,900rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 8.7L / 100km
The specs
Engine: Dual 180kW and 300kW front and rear motors
Power: 480kW
Torque: 850Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh359,900 ($98,000)
On sale: Now
Company%20profile
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
Eyasses squad
Charlie Preston (captain) – goal shooter/ goalkeeper (Dubai College)
Arushi Holt (vice-captain) – wing defence / centre (Jumeriah English Speaking School)
Olivia Petricola (vice-captain) – centre / wing attack (Dubai English Speaking College)
Isabel Affley – goalkeeper / goal defence (Dubai English Speaking College)
Jemma Eley – goal attack / wing attack (Dubai College)
Alana Farrell-Morton – centre / wing / defence / wing attack (Nord Anglia International School)
Molly Fuller – goal attack / wing attack (Dubai College)
Caitlin Gowdy – goal defence / wing defence (Dubai English Speaking College)
Noorulain Hussain – goal defence / wing defence (Dubai College)
Zahra Hussain-Gillani – goal defence / goalkeeper (British School Al Khubairat)
Claire Janssen – goal shooter / goal attack (Jumeriah English Speaking School)
Eliza Petricola – wing attack / centre (Dubai English Speaking College)
Brief scoreline:
Manchester United 2
Rashford 28', Martial 72'
Watford 1
Doucoure 90'
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
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Starfield
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