GCC’s biggest public sector knowledge-sharing platform for HR professionals is coming together once again, to discuss new trends and improve work standards post-pandemic. 

Dubai, UAE - October 24, 2021:  QnA International, the organisers for the Annual GOV HR Summit have announced the support of Dubai Government Human Resources Department as the endorsing partner.  Dubbed the region’s key public sector human resource event, the GCC Gov HR Summit celebrates excellence for the 9th consecutive year. The 2021 annual will focus on the key issues faced during the pandemic and the emerging trends in the sector to adopt for elevated employee experience. A platform where HR professionals network and learn from, the summit encourages adopting emerging technologies like AI, VR, AR, and more, to stay ahead in the market. 

The GOV HR Summit 2021 theme revolves around entering a new HR era with the involvement of emerging technologies. The summit will be the second hybrid HR event taking place this year, after the very successful HR Tech MENA Summit held earlier in June organised by QnA International.

Speaking about the Summit and sharing her thoughts, Alya Murad, Director – Finance & Human Resources, Ministry of Justice and Islamic Affairs, Bahrain says “GOV HR Summit brings together HR leaders to discuss and deliberate on key issues in the HR industry, which is a great opportunity for networking, sharing experience, and learning about successful HR programs and successful stories. It provides us with valuable ideas and takeaways to bring back to the office.”

Sharing similar sentiments about the summit, Abdulrahman Alsheail, Director General – Human Resources, Institute of Public Administration, Saudi Arabia adds, sharing similar sentiments about the summit.

When asked about the top trends for the future of work in the Middle East, HR Executive Manager Abdulaziz Al Tamimi from the Ministry of Investment Saudi Arabia stated - online and automated solutions, nationalization and staying competitive in the market, prioritizing employee health and safety, ensuring your contingency plan is regularly updated, and staying ahead by adopting the best technology. 

From the point of view of Sarah Al Bakeri, VP Human Captial at National Central Cooling Company DFM: Tabreed – “The Annual GOV HR Summit is a prestigious event recognizing both government and private entities in the GCC for leading the way in terms of innovative and best practices.” She recognizes the top trends to be focused around building critical skills, employee wellbeing and experience, diversity and inclusion, and new leadership benchmarks. She also adds that her contribution to knowledge sharing, benchmarking practices, and upskilling capabilities are her key reasons for her participation. 

H.E Mohamed Adel Abu Hassan from the Ministry of Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning also highlights the significance of adapting to a modern leadership mindset to help give employees the right environment to thrive and perform better. “Leaders are accountable to impose a new culture in their working environment and reconsider the outcomes they are aiming for.” 

' It is crucial to consider the mental and physical wellbeing of employees while also looking for opportunities to refine productivity, points Dr. Khalid Al Hamadani, CHRO of BankDhofar.

Looking at the new challenges for HR, Chief Human Capital Officer Mazen Khalefah from Riyad Bank gives us insights to help get a head start on finding innovative solutions for better results. In his words, “The evolution of HR Technology is exceeding all expectations and keeping up is our quest, not to mention adopting them is not an easy mission.” Apart from adapting to the fast-growing technology, Mazen points out a rising competitive talent market and people analytics; something HR experts need for making accurate, data-driven decisions in regards to hiring and retaining employees. 

Adding to this, Executive VP – TAQA, Saudi Arabia, Moutaz Mashhour tells us the importance of employers focusing on communication and showing support to the employees, in addition to accelerated automation and digital transformation, and long-term flexible work options. And sharing his advice along the same lines, Sadeq Abdullah from the Commercial Bank of Kuwait also talks about technology becoming a crucial pillar in our lives and how digital solutions are here to stay. 

Dr. Ghalib Al Hosni, the Chief People Officer at Omantel also supports this by emphasizing on people analytics, online learning, blockchain technology, and employee health and safety, as well as their digital engagement post-covid and talent sourcing. 

Not missing out on the brighter side of the pandemic world, H.R.H Lamia Al Saud of Alwaleed Philanthropies shifts the spotlight to creatives who have found ways to turn challenges into opportunities, highlighting Alwaleed Philanthropies’ support to Saudi female artisans to help empower and grow their talents by creating commercial opportunities. 

Abdulrahman Alsheial who is the Director-General of HR at the Institute of Public Administration, Saudi Arabia says that the post-pandemic future of work is rooted in flexibility, transparency, and accountability. 

“In the post-pandemic world, Human Resources across companies must prioritize guiding new joiners through the new era of the workforce and continuing to engage employees through this process. This includes offering the right courses to enhance employees’ skillsets, encouraging engagement during the hybrid generation, and remembering that talent is every company’s most important asset.” - Ameena Thabet, Executive Director of Human Capital and Emiratization, Mubadala Investment Company.

The Summit scheduled to take place next week is bringing together top CHROs from over 100 leading organizations in GCC to discuss the changing priorities of HR in changing times and will also host the prestigious GCC GOV HR Awards on 26th October to honor and recognize the best practices regionally in managing people in uncertain times.