Women Leaders Shine at GCC GOV HR Awards 2016

At the recently concluded 4th annual GOV HR Summit organized by Dubai based QnA International, women leaders and corporate giants in the government and public sectors were honoured at the GCC GOV HR Awards for their outstanding contribution in creating a breakthrough in people performance across the GCC region.

The GCC GOV HR awards comprised of 13 categories and are designed to recognize, felicitate and honour outstanding contributions and achievements in the field of HR. Nominations for the awards which were open to the government and private sector organizations, and individuals were received online and adjudged by an esteemed panel of judges comprising of independent experts, analysts, HR experts, journalists, and academicians. Some of the most coveted awards included the best ‘Nationalization Initiative in the GCC’ applicable to both the public and private sector; ‘GOV HR Leader of the Year’ and the ‘Visionary Leader of the Year’ for individuals.

The Guests of Honour at the Awards Ceremony were Brigadier Obeid Al Ketbi, Abu Dhabi Police, and

Dr. Adel Khalifa Alzayani, the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf – Secretariat General.

Women leaders shone at the ceremony bagging the coveted ‘Organization of the Year for Women Empowerment’ and tied in the individual category for ‘GOV HR Leader of the Year’.  

Ms. Fatima Haider, Chief Human Resources Officer, Hamad Medical Corporation, Qatar tied for the ‘GOV HR Leader of the Year’. Upon receiving her award, Ms. Haider said, “I am honoured to have received the ‘GOV HR Leader of the Year’ award and at the same time I feel humbled because whatever has been achieved at Hamad Medical Corporation has been the result of the great effort and commitment of my dedicated team.  Each member is just like my extended family and I feel very lucky to work with them and be the facilitator to draw the best from them.’’

Receiving the award for ‘Organization of the Year for Women Empowerment’ on behalf of Emirates Women Police Association, Abu Dhabi Police, Major Amna Mohammad Khamis Al Beloushi, Leader Emirates Women Police Association said, “Being the proud winner of the ‘Organization of the Year for Women Empowerment’ is a thrilling moment for us at the Emirates Women Police Association. We will continue to strive as an organization to empower women and equip them with the required skills and knowledge. Thank you once again for the recognition."

In the organizational awards, the locally renowned Al Futtaim Group won the award for best ‘Nationalization Initiative in the Private Sector’. Receiving the award on behalf of Al Futtaim Group, Mr. Zuhair Al Haj, Director of HR & Localization – MENA, said “I am proud and honoured to represent Al-Futtaim and to receive this prestigious award, which recognises the significant investment that we are making as a group, in developing National talent into future leaders. Our internal ‘Talent for Growth’ agenda focusses on attracting the best National talent, whom we then engage and develop so that they may have a long and successful career within our diverse group. We are grateful that our efforts have had an impact.”

Regionally, Qatar General Electricity & Water Corporation –KAHRAMAA, grabbed the award for ‘Digital HR Award of the Year.’ Receiving the award on behalf of the organization, Ms. Najlaa Adel S A Al Buanain, Manager Human Resources said, “Kahramaa being accorded with such a prestigious GCC Government Award is a testimony of its professionalism, best HR digital services and practices in the region. Kahramaa is committed to providing better customer services through effective human resources strategies, systems and business processes aligned to meet its corporate objectives and accomplish Qatar vision 2030.’’ The Qatar General Electricity & Water Corporation (KAHRAMAA) is the sole provider of electricity and water under the Ministry of Industry and Energy, Doha, Qatar.

“Holding the GCC GOV HR Awards 2016 in conjunction with the 4th annual GOV HR Summit displayed the commitment and application already present in the HR fields in both the government and private sector, and amongst individuals. This existing foundation provides stable pillars on which HR functions can build on in the GCC region. We are glad to honour this outstanding work and to provide motivation,’’ noted Mr. Ackash Jain, Organizer, GOV HR Summit and Awards 2016.

The full list of winners of the GCC GOV HR Awards 2016 are as follows:

1. Visionary Leader of the Year: His Excellency Major General Mohammed Khalfan Matar Al Rumaithi, Commander-in-Chief of Abu Dhabi Police, UAE
2. Organization of the Year for Women Empowerment: Emirates Women Police Association, Abu Dhabi Police, UAE
3. Digital HR Award of the Year - Qatar General Electricity & Water Corporation –KAHRAMAA
4. GOV HR Leader of the Year – Two Winners
   1. Madiha Marzooqi, Group HR Director, Abu Dhabi Health Services Company- SEHA
   2. Fatima Haider, Chief Human Resources Officer, Hamad Medical Corporation
5. Nationalization Initiative in the Private Sector: Al-Futtaim Group
6. Outstanding Change Management Strategy:  Dubai Police
7. Innovation in Employee Engagement in Private Sector: Jumeirah Burj Al Arab
8. Organization of the Year for the Best Happiness Initiative: Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority
9. Excellence in Talent Management Award – Two Winners
   1. VIVA Bahrain
   2. Abu Dhabi Distribution Co.
10. GCC GOV HR Team of the Year: DP World
11. Innovation in Employee Engagement: Etisalat
12. Most Distinctive Learning & Development Strategy: Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank
13. Best Nationalization Initiative in the GCC: General Civil Aviation Authority

The high-profile award ceremony was held at the Emirates Palace Hotel, Abu Dhabi, on 26thOctober 2016.