The Office of the Sheikh Khalifa Excellence Award, an initiative by Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, has announced the launch of the 21st cycle of the Award introducing new categories. Registration will be open from November 2022 to June 30, 2023, with the final submission due in September 2023.

 

The new categories include: Best Organisation in Institutional Innovation, Best Organisation in Digital Transformation, and Best Organisation in Sustainability Management and Green Economy.

 

This was announced during a press conference at Abu Dhabi Chamber’s headquarters, which was attended by Saeed Abdul Jalil Al Fahim, Chairman of the Higher Committee of SKEA, and Committee Members: Dr. Mohamed Salim Al Dhaheri, Mohammed Omar Abdullah, and Mohamed Helal Al Mheiri, Director General of the Abu Dhabi Chamber.

 

Achieving objectives

In his keynote speech, Al Fahim said: “Twenty years following its launch, the Award continues to achieve its objectives through enhancing economic and social development, and raising the competitiveness of public and private companies and establishments on a local, regional, and international level. The Award has attracted several companies renowned for their professionalism and leadership, like the Saudi company Aramco, among others.

 

“The prestigious Award has received considerable interest, given that it is the representative of several international organisations. The Award represents the European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM), the International Association of Innovation Professionals (IAOIP), the Global Benchmarking Network (GBN), the American Society for Quality (ASQ), and the Asia Pacific Congress on Quality Control (APQO).”

 

He added: “The Sheikh Khalifa Excellence Award is the first Award that holds the name of the late Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. This gives the Award further importance and value, as it represents his values, virtues, and sayings. Despite the emergence of Covid-19 which hindered the launch of the previous edition of the Award, SKEA has reflected the highest levels of adaptation and flexibility to ensure its continuity by launching its 21st cycle.”

 

More participation

“The Award witnessed a remarkable increase in the number of participants, equivalent to more than 30%, and an increase in the number of assessors, equivalent to 20-25%. The increase in the number of participations, and the active contributions of the local, regional, and international judging committees, reflect the Award’s successful model which places a major importance on institutional excellence. 

 

“The Award has taken into account local and regional challenges, and urgent international issues of economic, social, and environmental significance. The key updates of the new approach will be announced at the beginning of January 2023,” he added.

 

Al Fahim thanked His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, for his patronage and continuous support for the Award. thanked the organisers and assessors for their utmost diligence, efficiency, and professionalism, and their institutions for giving them the opportunity to take part in this voluntary work, which aims to foster a culture of institutional excellence in the UAE and the world. also thanked the members of the Award’s Higher Committee, and the jury for their pivotal role in ensuring accuracy and impartiality in their evaluation.

 

Raising awareness

SKEA Office will organise workshops, seminars, and other activities to raise awareness about the Award, its participation guidelines, and required conditions.

 

The Award is set to receive applications from hundreds of companies in the UAE and the world. It will continue its leading role in spreading a culture of creativity, quality, and competitiveness by supporting and honouring pioneers of excellence in all fields. Over the course of twenty-three years, more than 1,000 winners from the UAE, and dozens of winners from the GCC, and the world, have been honored within the various categories of the Award.

 

Mohamed Helal Al Mheiri, Director General of the Abu Dhabi Chamber, said: “Since its launch in 1999, the Sheikh Khalifa Excellence Award has contributed to consolidating the value of excellence and supporting innovation. The Award has adopted a new approach to meet the present and future requirements, especially with the fundamental shifts that the world has witnessed. 

 

“The new approach centres on improvement, excellence, and finding innovative solutions to turn challenges into opportunities. With the launch of every new edition of the Award, we take a bigger responsibility to maintain its status and develop it further to keep up with best international practices.”-- TradeArabia News Service