Overview
The Mohammed Bin Rashid Centre for Government Innovation (MBRCGI), operating under the Prime Minister’s Officeat the Ministry of Cabinet Affairs, plays a pivotal role in advancing the UAE Government’s innovation agenda. Established under the vision of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, the Centre is dedicated to embedding innovation at the heart of government operations and policymaking. It empowers public-sector leaders and public servants to adopt innovative approaches, build capabilities, and drive transformation aligned with national priorities such as UAE Vision 2031 and UAE Centennial 2071.
MBRCGI develops and implements strategies, programs, and platforms that enable government entities to innovate effectively and sustainably. Through its pillars of innovation enablers, possibilities, and platforms, the Centre unlocks the potential of individuals and institutions to create lasting impact, positioning the UAE as a global hub for government innovation.
The background
Global knowledge
Beyond capability building, MBRCGI fosters global knowledge exchange and collaboration through its flagship initiatives and partnerships. In 2015, in line with its mission to build world-class innovation leadership, the Centre collaborated with Cambridge Judge Business School Executive Education (JBSEEL) to deliver the Public Sector Innovation Diploma (PSID) a program designed to equip UAE government leaders with the skills, mindset, and tools to drive innovation, adaptability, and resilience across the public sector.
Through such initiatives, MBRCGI continues to inspire possibilities, celebrate successes, and shape an ecosystem where innovation becomes a daily practice and a defining feature of governance in the UAE.
The requirement
Enabling transformative government leadership
To fulfil the UAE’s vision for transformative government leadership, Cambridge Judge Business School Executive Education worked with the Mohammed Bin Rashid Centre for Government Innovation to develop a programme that would cultivate innovation across government leadership. The MBRCGI envisioned a transformative and pioneering approach, blending Cambridge’s academic expertise with the UAE’s commitment to being a leader in government-led innovation. The collaboration required a deeply immersive programme, focusing on practical, research-driven learning designed to develop innovation within UAE’s public sector leaders and drive impactful, sustainable changes across government institutions.
The solution
The Public Sector Innovation Diploma (PSID)
Together, the MBRCGI and Cambridge Judge Business School created the Public Sector Innovation Diploma (PSID), a unique programme structured around in-depth, immersive modules offered both in the UAE and the UK. The diploma programme aims to support the UAE’s vision of becoming a global innovation leader. Participants collaborate in teams to design capstone projects that address real-world government challenges in innovative ways, equipping them with the knowledge and tools needed for effective leadership in the public sector.
The curriculum integrates theory with hands-on application through a blend of in-person and live online sessions, addressing key themes such as Concept Generation, Agile Innovation, and Pivot and Transformation. These modules are crafted to address real-world
challenges and guide participants through the process of generating, refining, and implementing innovative ideas.
Cambridge’s research-backed insights enable participants to integrate new methodologies that resonate with UAE’s evolving needs, making the learning immediately applicable within their professional environments.
The outcomes
Cultivating innovative government leaders
Participants trained
Ministries and departments represented in the most recent cohort
Innovative projects initiated
Hours of learning delivered
This programme is a testament to what can be achieved when organisations commit to innovation, and more broadly, to building a culture of innovation. Our collaboration with the UAE’s Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) and the Mohammed Bin Rashid Centre for Government Innovation (MBRCGI) is a model for how governments can achieve impact through innovation. This programme serves as a means through which the UAE instils a culture of innovation throughout their government and across society. This programme has been, and continues to be, an incredibly rewarding experience. It is a point of pride to have the opportunity to work with hundreds of senior leaders across the government and to work closely with our partners in the UAE PMO and MBRCGI to continuously adapt the programme to the changing needs of government within a dynamic landscape of technology and innovation.
The impact
Celebrating a decade of impact
PSID has played a significant role in shaping the next generation of innovative UAE government leaders. Through workshops, training activities and field visits, participants gain the tools and frameworks needed to advance the UAE’s goal of being one of the world’s most innovative nations.
Participants’ capstone projects exemplify the programme’s impact. For example, the Medical Systems Innovation project, developed by one participant, has transformed emergency care by improving communication between ambulances and hospitals, enabling faster and more effective responses. This initiative is now expanding to 17 hospitals across the UAE.
Similarly, the Virtual Community Scale-up project responds to post-pandemic needs for adaptive, accessible community resources. Piloted by the Ministry of Community Development, it demonstrates how PSID equips leaders to design forward-thinking solutions to pressing societal challenges, with potential for wider government adoption.
This year marks PSID’s 10th anniversary, highlighting the enduring partnership and shared commitment to innovation between JBSEEL and MBRCGI. To celebrate, all PSID alumni were invited to the Closing Ceremony of Cohort 8, where projects developed over the past seven months were showcased. The event also welcomed 19 Heads and Vice Presidents of the UAE Government Entities, the British Ambassador to the UAE and featured an inspiring keynote address from a Cambridge speaker; further reinforcing the programme’s reputation and continued relevance.
Key facts
- 4.9/5 – 2025 programme feedback score
- 8 cohorts delivered to date
- 444 participants trained
- 1,112 faculty teaching hours
- 376 innovative projects initiated
- 181 teaching days delivered
- 40+ ministries and departments represented in the most recent cohort