Abu Dhabi School of Management, which is owned by the Abu Dhabi Chamber, held two webinars during UAE Innovation Month 2021 (Feb-23-28). The webinars addressed the impact of COVID-19 on innovation and the global economy along with wellness at work and responsible innovation were highlighted. Many academics, entrepreneurs, economists and those interested in developing Human Resources in the UAE and abroad attended the webinars.
On this occasion, HE Mohammed Helal Al Mheiri, Director General of the Abu Dhabi Chamber stressed that the Chamber has always been committed to supporting innovation and playing its vital role to stimulate the creative and innovative ideas for the Abu Dhabi private sector. Therefore, it holds specialized webinars and adopts a number of qualitative initiatives that target innovation and innovators as well.
Al Mheiri also praised the importance of the events of “UAE Innovates 2021”, which enjoyed a wide participation of federal and local government agencies, academic institutions, private sector companies and various segments of society. He also stressed that innovation events have become an integral part of the UAE's agenda, which has been characterized, since its foundation, by its ability to innovate. This has contributed a lot to enhancing its social and economic status making it a destination for the talented and businesses and an incubator for all innovations in a short period.
He pointed out that interest in digital innovations, research and technologies is one of the key pillars of shaping a competitive and sustainable knowledge economy. He added that the Chamber is always keen to be a major and active contributor to the development journey and to serve the private sector in the UAE. He said that the Chamber is one of the most important entities that adopt innovation and creativity as an institutional and systematic culture to support the Chamber's members, and to improve the business environment in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.
Professor Leonardo Leiderman, a visiting professor at the Abu Dhabi School of Management and Professor of economics at the Coller School of Management and the Berglas School of Economics (Emeritus), reviewed the latest findings on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on global business and markets. He explained that the pandemic, as it has often negatively affected, has also created new opportunities for innovation, as many companies have had to promote innovation in their systems in order to keep up with the new normal and the sustainability of their business.
Professor Leiderman addressed some important statistics from the analysis of the prestigious US management consultancy, McKinsey and Company, which stated that 90% of institutions and companies believe that the COVID-19 pandemic will fundamentally change the way they do business over the next five years. In addition, 85% believe that the pandemic will have a lasting impact on their customers’ needs and wants over the next five years.
On the other hand, Dr. Rommel Sergio, Professor of Management and the MSLOD Programme Director at ADSM presented the second webinar where he addressed the range of possible ways to achieve wellness at work and the positive reflection on the institutions as a whole. He highlighted the flexibility that the remote work system has brought in the Corona pandemic, and the reliance of many institutions on modern digital technologies to accomplish different businesses. He said that this has helped many employees better balance their work and personal lives.
