TRA Employees Receive Special Training at the ITU

Mobilk - A group of employees from the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) have completed a special training program at the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Headquarters in Geneva for two and a half months. The training program aimed at qualifying young national cadres capable of representing TRA in international ICT forums, especially those relating to the ITU. It aimed at introducing them to international trends in this field, giving them the necessary expertise for effective participation in the development of policies and standards at the international level, to protect the interest of the UAE, highlight its efforts, and strengthen its global position.

On this training program, H.E. Hamad Obaid Al Mansoori, TRA Director General, said: "TRA is keen to develop and implement plans to qualify young national cadres to participate actively in international forums in general, and ITU meetings in particular, to reflect TRAs vision of strengthening the UAEs global leading position in the ICT sector, and to achieve the wise leadership directives. Our positive participation in the international frameworks and events related to the global telecommunications sector is an expression of the UAEs openness to global knowledge, trends, experiences and positive and effective engagement in shaping a global future based on sustainability and well-being. In this regard, TRA is keen to train its national cadres with focus on the youth category to qualify them optimally, to possess the skills and experience needed to attend these meetings and represent the UAE in the best way possible. "

H.E. the Director General emphasized that this special training program comes in response to the countrys needs as one of the Member States of the ITU Council, which includes 48 elected states.  He added: "In its meetings, the ITU Council discusses the most important issues and developments in the ICT sector. Given this important role, it was highly necessary to qualify national cadres to deal and participate effectively in these meetings, in order to reach decisions that meet the interests of the UAE in particular and the region in general. This is TRAs goal for participating in this training program, which is part of the framework of empowering Emirati youth in the ICT sector, in line with the wise leadership directives, to invest in the energies of the youth and motivate them towards learning and acquiring expertise in all fields, most importantly technology and artificial intelligence, which are they key towards a promising future that guarantees future generations well-being and stability."

The program included topics aimed at introducing trainees to the ITUs mechanisms, objectives, scope of work, organizational structure, methods of effective participation in committees, meetings and conferences, as well as how to prepare and present the countrys contributions of interest, methods of discussion, and lobbying to reach international adoption. During the training program, trainees participated in the study committees, according to their fields and the departments they represent, to be aware of the studies topics, highlight the efforts of the country in these committees, and defend its interests therein.

The trainees also participated in a number of practical tasks that facilitated communication with the ITU bodies. Through their active presence in the ITU, the trainees contributed to raising the UAEs ranking in the Global Cybersecurity Index (GCI) from 47 to 33. Additionally, one of the trainees, Abdelaziz Al Zarooni, was elected to the post of Vice Chairman of Study Group 2 in the Development Sector, related to cybersecurity and smart communities. The trainees also participated in a recommendation on the OTT Collaborative Framework.

The training program is designed to combine theoretical lessons with direct practical application. Moreover, choosing this period of the year for the implementation of the program was due to the large number of major meetings and conferences taking place at the ITU in this time, and thus reaching maximum benefit.