الشارقة 24:
The Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, through the Sharjah Training and Development Centre, has successfully concluded its executive programme on Leadership, Artificial Intelligence, and Digital Transformation held at prestigious academic institutions in the United Kingdom. This programme saw active participation from executives and digital transformation strategy managers from both government and private sectors, aimed at equipping national leaders with the skills necessary to navigate rapid digital transformations and foster future-focused decision-making.
Specialised Workshops
The programme commenced at the historic Harris Manchester College, University of Oxford, featuring a series of sessions and specialised workshops. These focused on the latest trends in leadership ethics, risk management, and decision-making in the age of artificial intelligence. Participants explored strategies to manage misinformation and digital risks, as well as harnessing AI and big data for smarter and agile executive decision-making, with insights from a distinguished roster of academics and experts from both Oxford and Cambridge universities, along with professionals from renowned UK institutions.
Strategic Leadership
Participants engaged in intensive sessions that blended future foresight with advanced leadership frameworks, digital transformation, and corporate trust-building. A highlight included a focused discussion on strategic leadership in the context of AI and digital disruption, addressing imminent challenges posed by the technological revolution and its direct effects on business models. Furthermore, the agenda included a field visit to the University of Warwick for Innovation, where attendees gained firsthand experience of cutting-edge global practices in innovation, technology, and effective knowledge transfer between academia and economic sectors.
Empowering National Competencies
Mariam Saif Al Shamsi, Deputy General Manager of the Sharjah Chamber for Support Services, emphasised the programme’s outstanding outcomes as a testament to the Chamber’s vision for quality investment in local talent. The intensive academic engagement at prestigious UK institutions showcased the capability of Sharjah’s leaders and workforce to effectively leverage AI tools in alignment with the economic priorities of the emirate. This investment is expected to enhance institutional efficiency and bolster the local economy’s appeal to advanced projects and innovations, while also enabling participants to anticipate market shifts and master the governance of emerging technologies. Al Shamsi stated that the Sharjah Chamber is committed to expanding its international partnerships and developing specialised training paths that meet the needs of executives amidst comprehensive digital transformation.
Leading Digital Transformation
Amaal Abdullah Al Ali, Director of the Sharjah Training and Development Centre, noted that the true added value of the programme lay in the initiatives and executive insights developed by the participants during workshops and simulation studies. She highlighted that lectures by international trainers and practical visits to innovation centres equipped participants with precise tools for risk management and data-driven decision-making. Al Ali expressed confidence in the participants’ ability to transfer their acquired knowledge to their teams, effectively leading digital transformation with agility and competence, thus enhancing Sharjah’s knowledge leadership position.
Artificial Intelligence Insights
Throughout the programme, key topics addressed included organisational leadership in the age of artificial intelligence, AI applications in the financial services sector, and the governance of modern technological systems to ensure sustained excellence and institutional competitiveness.
Participants also engaged in exploratory and cultural tours of Oxford, where they explored its historic academic legacy and visited prominent landmarks such as the University of Oxford, the Bodleian Library, Radcliffe Camera, and St. Mary’s Church. The experience extended to Cambridge, where they enjoyed a boat tour along the River Cam, providing a unique perspective on the city’s historic colleges, complemented by a visit to the Cambridge Central Mosque to appreciate its distinctive architecture—creating an enriching experience that combined knowledge, culture, and inspiration beyond the training halls.