The Arabian Gulf University (AGU) and the Bahrain Institute for Public Administration (BIPA) have jointly issued a Policy Brief (Crisis Driven Innovation: The Public Sector response during the Covid-19 Outbreak), which is the first guidance brief of its kind based on the results of a descriptive scientific study that examined how policy makers and executives dealt with the crisis.
The Director General of the Institute for Public Administration (BIPA), His Excellency Dr. Raed Mohammed Bin Shams said that combatting the Corona Virus (Covid-19) outbreak is a National responsibility shared by all institutions and individuals in the Kingdom of Bahrain. He stressed that the ideal way to face this worldwide health crisis in all its varying repercussions lies in employing the best scientific and applied methodologies and tools in order to come up with solid research and studies that expand the horizons of innovation and contribute to the prospects of future government strategies that meet the aspirations of the nation and citizens.
He confirmed that the strong partnership between the Institute for Public Administration and the Arabian Gulf University reflects the mutual visions of both sides in unifying the efforts and harnessing the scientific and administrative capabilities to serve and support the first line of defense in the face of the Coronavirus (Coved-19), explaining that highlighting innovation during crises and promoting the use of technology contributes to the development of solid foundations for dealing with the crisis and coming out of it with innovative solutions by following correct methodologies and mechanisms.
For his part, the Head of the Arabian Gulf University, His Excellency Dr. Khalid Bin Abdulrahman Al Ohaly said the Arabian Gulf university initiated the partnership with (BIPA), to adopt this study based on its role as a Gulf incubator for unique and rare researches and in order to strengthen the objectives for which it was established, including addressing and facing unique and rare issues.
At the same time, he emphasized the Kingdom of Bahrain’s excellence in managing the health crisis caused by the Corona pandemic with great success thanks to the directives of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa – May Allah protect him – and the great care that His Majesty gives to the people and society of the Kingdom of Bahrain citizens and residents.
And the directives of His Royal Highness Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, the prime minister, May Allah Protect him, as well as the efforts made by the Government of the Kingdom of Bahrain through the Coordination Committee led by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa – May God bless him – the Crown Prince, Deputy Commander-in-Chief – to deal with the Corona pandemic.
The Head of the Arabian Gulf University, Dr. Khalid bin Abdulrahman Al Ohaly, said the collaboration with the Bahrain Institute for Public Administration (BIPA) , to produces this qualitative and descriptive research regarding the Crisis Driven Innovation, is a genuine start in employing science and technological tools in the face of crisis and looking forward to future strategies based on sound foundations and concepts corresponding with the requirements of the times.
Furthermore, the joint research comprises interviews with high-level executives in the health sector of the Kingdom Of Bahrain, who were the first line of defense in facing the Corona virus outbreak. The research also sheds light on Seven (7) Administrative pillars on which the public sector focuses on, in its response to the crisis by following an innovative manner driven by the crisis. The Research also highlights means of adapting policies in the public sector and the Health sector to face the crisis assuring the importance of promoting flexibility in order to ensure quick response and ability to innovate in addition to shedding light on the importance of higher leadership with higher capabilities for innovation and farsightedness.
Finally, the research concluded with a call for the adoption of policies that stimulate response and institutional flexibility; the need for support for the political leadership for handling risks in times of crisis; the importance of cooperation between ministries and municipalities to harness global networks and organizational capabilities, flexibility and innovation, it also called for the digitalization of public services as an enabler for supporting new models of crisis-driven innovation. The results concluded the importance of building trust and empathy through the media to ensure compliance of citizens, and emphasized the need for social cohesion and value-based commitment in times of crisis, providing innovative and proactive solutions and actions based on the needs of society.
Participants in the research team that oversaw this release are Dr. Odeh Al-Jayyousi , Dr. Christopher M. Durugbo , Dr. Soud M. Almahamid, Dr. Lulwa H. Budalamah and Batoul BendiMerad
To view the research click on the link below:
https://www.agu.edu.bh/en/Research/University/Pages/Joint-Research.aspx