In brief
At a launch ceremony in Sharjah, Director Badr Al Ali announced the Innovation Month 2026 under the theme “We Are All Partners in Innovation.” The month‑long program, part of the UAE Innovates initiative, will feature practical workshops, interactive activities and AI demonstrations aimed at embedding a culture of innovation across the department.
The Sharjah Finance Department (SFD) opened its Innovation Month 2026 on Tuesday, 3 November, in Sharjah, announcing a month‑long program designed to embed innovation into daily operations. The initiative, part of the UAE Innovates initiative, will run throughout November and will include workshops, interactive experiences and AI demonstrations to encourage employees to devise creative solutions to workplace challenges.
“Innovation in government is no longer an option associated with specific initiatives or occasions,” Badr Al Ali, Director of the Corporate Development and Excellence Office, said while addressing the assembled staff at the launch. He added that the department’s commitment lies in giving employees the confidence to share ideas and experiment with new solutions, believing that these everyday ideas can drive significant improvements in performance and outcomes.
“Innovation in government is no longer an option associated with specific initiatives or occasions. It has become an institutional necessity, driven by the accelerating pace of development and society’s expectations for more efficient and effective services. At the Sharjah Finance Department, we are committed to creating a working environment that gives employees the confidence and opportunity to share their ideas and experiment with new solutions.”
He continued, “This year’s theme, ‘We Are All Partners in Innovation’, reflects our belief that creativity is a shared responsibility, bringing together diverse expertise and capabilities, with every employee playing a role in driving positive change. Through these activities, we aim to move innovation beyond a theoretical concept and establish it as an integral part of our institutional culture. We also seek to strengthen our employees’ ability to harness knowledge and modern technologies to improve working methods.”
The program, which the department describes as a “diverse agenda of practical workshops, interactive experiences and knowledge‑sharing initiatives,” will focus on building future‑ready skills and translating creative ideas into practice. The workshops will cover areas such as data analytics, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation, while interactive activities will allow staff to test prototypes and receive immediate feedback.
According to officials, the event’s activities will “encourage employees to think beyond conventional approaches, strengthening their ability to take initiative and adapt to change.” By fostering an environment that invests in human capital, the department hopes to open new avenues for creativity and excellence across its operations.
Employees who attended the launch expressed enthusiasm about the upcoming sessions. Several participants noted that the focus on AI demonstrations would provide them with hands‑on experience and insights into cutting‑edge technologies. Others highlighted the department’s emphasis on collective ownership of innovation, which they said would foster collaboration across departments.
The Innovation Month 2026 aligns with the broader UAE Innovates program, which aims to promote a culture of innovation within the public sector. By incorporating a month‑long series of events, the Sharjah Finance Department seeks to demonstrate its commitment to continuous improvement and to embed innovative thinking into the fabric of its daily operations.
As the first week of November unfolds, staff across the department will participate in the scheduled workshops and interactive sessions, with the aim of translating ideas into actionable solutions that enhance institutional performance and service delivery to the public.
