Deputy Minister Lootah meets graduates and hints at second programme |06 March 2024
Deputy Minister Lootah addressing the gathering
Following the successful completion of an intensive Executive Leadership Programme for 27 chief executives and senior officials, sponsored by the government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Deputy Minister Abdulla Nasser Lootah met with them on Monday at the National House.
In the meeting, Deputy Minister Lootah, also responsible for Cabinet Affairs for Competitiveness and Knowledge Exchange, announced a possible version 2.0 of the programme.
“This will entails rolling up our sleeves and further digging into the challenges that exist. We will find alternatives, substitutes that will transform your journey. Look at it as an exciting journey of the future that we will be creating together. It is not a one-way programme. We don’t cook and you eat. But we co-design the architecture of this programme and we celebrate the success,” said Deputy Minister Lootah.
He also spoke about the relationship between the UAE and Seychelles which dates more than 40 years and how the two nations have collaborated extensively to enhance their bilateral ties across various sectors.
“Seychelles' talents, its human resources, are you. We feel a sense of indebtedness to you. From the moment we initiated the programme, I knew it had to continue. I encourage you to collaborate with your peers to determine the focus areas for the 2024-2025 programme, how to address these challenges, which specific issues to prioritise, and who is willing to commit for six months or a year, either physically or through online knowledge sharing.”
“The reason I ask is because I want you to identify the top three priorities for us to address and to highlight any pitfalls to avoid,” noted Deputy Minister Lootah.
The Minister for Finance, National Planning & Trade, Naadir Hassan, noted that the programme stands as a testament to the strong and enduring relationship that exists between UAE and Seychelles.
“I want to express our sincere gratitude to the UAE government for this invaluable partnership. Your commitment to investing in our human capital has had a profound impact on the lives and careers of the talented individuals who participated in this programme.”
Minister Hassan shared that over the past four months, the graduates had embarked on a journey of learning and self-improvement, honing their leadership skills, expanding their knowledge base, and gaining valuable insights into best practices.
“They have delved into the intricacies of strategic foresight, navigated the complexities of policy and performance management, embraced the transformative power of digitalisation, and honed your skills in leading with agility and purpose in an uncertain world. It was a crucible, a testing ground where you tackled real-world challenges. The capstone project, a pinnacle of your learning experience, allowed you to apply your newfound knowledge to real-world challenges, fostering innovation and strategic thinking.”
On behalf of Seychelles, Minister Hassan affirmed commitment to sustaining this partnership and exploring new avenues for mutual benefit between the two countries.
The Minister for Investment, Entrepreneurship & Industry, Devika Vidot, also attended the exchange meeting.
Photos: Joena Meme
