Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) organised its annual People of Determination event virtually. During the event, DEWA honoured the universities, subsidiaries, and community partners that contributed to the success of DEWA’s Inclusion People of Determination Innovative Incubator, which is the first of its kind in the UAE. This is part of DEWA’s efforts to include and empower People of Determination (POD) in society.

HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA inaugurated the event. DEWA officials and officials from local and federal organisations and universities attended the event.

In his keynote speech, Al Tayer said that DEWA is keen to share its experiences and the best practices it implemented through the Inclusion People of Determination Innovative Incubator, the innovative social model which empowers people of determination and enhances their inclusion in the work environment and in society.

“DEWA contributes to achieving the vision of the wise leadership to include and empower People of Determination. This supports the National Policy to Empower People of Determination, launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to create an inclusive society that ensures empowerment and a decent life for People of Determination and their families. It also supports the ‘My Community... a City for Everyone’ initiative, launched by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai, to transform Dubai into a city that is friendly to People of Determination. DEWA includes and empowers People of Determination through four pillars: Employees, Customers, Society, and Partners,” said Al Tayer.

“DEWA is committed to including and empowering People of Determination at work and in society by providing an inclusive and resilient work environment for DEWA’s Employees of Determination to unleash and prove their potential. DEWA also launches many inclusive community initiatives and accessible smart solutions that enhance the inclusion of people of determination in society, and provide the same easy access for Customers of Determination to DEWA’s smart services. From 2015 to 2020, DEWA implemented 58 social programmes and community initiatives to include and empower People of Determination in society, benefitting nearly 3.5 million people,” added Al Tayer.

“DEWA aligns its POD strategy with local and federal strategies for the inclusion and empowerment of People of Determination. To achieve this, DEWA has achieved all the strategic and operational indicators in including and empowering People of Determination in 2020. DEWA’s buildings and facilities fully comply 100% with the Dubai Universal Design Code. DEWA currently has 6,137 employees trained in dealing with People of Determination and 22 employees have earned a sign language diploma. DEWA currently has 29 Employees of Determination with various disabilities. Their happiness scored 99% and their families’ happiness reached 96%. Customers of Determination scored their happiness with DEWA’s inclusive services at 95% and society happiness towards DEWA’s support to People of Determination was 94%. DEWA’s website compliance scored 96% while the smart app was scored 10/10 by the People of Determination Accessibility Evaluation Report by Smart Dubai,” he added.

“As we celebrate our achievements in the inclusion and empowering People of Determination, I would like to thank you and commend your constructive efforts that supported the success of the Inclusion POD Innovative Incubator. I encourage you to continue your hard work so that together, we achieve the aspirations of the wise leadership to create a cohesive society that is proud of its identity and belonging by providing an inclusive environment that integrates all segments of society,” concluded Al Tayer.

Dr. Yousef Ibrahim Al Akraf, Executive Vice President of Business Support and Human Resources at DEWA and Chairman of DEWA’s Advisory Council for People of Determination, noted that DEWA launched the second phase of the Inclusion People of Determination Innovative Incubator earlier this year to encourage universities and colleges in the UAE to include and empower People of Determination according to best local and international practices. This achieves the government directives and enhances future collaboration and coordination in terms of partnerships and scholarships for People of Determination. The initiative includes other events and programmes on the side-lines such as Motivating Leadership, Training, Knowledge Transfer, Benchmarking Visits, and Success Stories.

Dr. Ansam Alnatour, Specialist - People of Determination at DEWA, gave a presentation titled ‘Inclusion People of Determination Innovative Incubator: Innovative Social Model and Key Achievements’ where she highlighted the initiative and its key results.

Organisations that were honoured included nine universities that participated in implementing the second phase of the Inclusion People of Determination Innovative Incubator. These are the United Arab Emirates University, Zayed University, Sharjah University, the Higher Colleges of Technology, the American University in Dubai, the American University of Sharjah, Khalifa University, University of Dubai, and Rochester Institute of Technology.

9 community partners that participated in implementing the Inclusion People of Determination Innovative Incubator were also honoured. These are: the Ministry of Community Development, Dubai Club for People of Determination, DASS solutions, Emirates NBD, Enable – Desert Group, Al Noor Training Centre for Persons with Disabilities, Senses Centre, Rashid Centre for People of Determination, and Dubai Rehabilitation Centre for People of Determination.

8 of DEWA subsidiaries that participated in implementing the Inclusion People of Determination Innovative Incubator were also honoured. These are: Data Hub Integrated Solutions (Moro), Mai Dubai, Emirates Central Cooling Systems Corporation (Empower), Noor Energy 1, Etihad Energy Services Company (Etihad ESCO), Shuaa Energy 1, Shuaa Energy 2, and Dubai Green Fund.