GCAA holds third Innovation Board Meeting

As an integral aspect of the aviation industry and UAE culture, innovation remains at the fore of GCAA’s working environment.  As a result ‘Brain Miners’ was created to act as a portal and reward programme for all GCAA employees, regardless of level or position, to submit their innovative ideas to the board for review and discussion.  The main objective being the implementation of all board approved innovative ideas, in order to make them a reality. 

The Brain Miners’ scheme also awarded the title ‘Distinguished Innovative Employee 2016’ to Dr. Nabila Al Awadhi for her idea to offer “Standardisation of First Aid training”.  The idea which was first submitted in January 2016 is now set to be implemented into mainstream activity with the main objective of achieving the ‘Standardization of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) throughout the UAE.  In addition, it will provide an improved standard of service to members of the public on board aircrafts, as well as being a world leader by being the first country to offer a standardised EMS system inflight and on board. 

As a further method of encouraging a nation of innovative thinkers, Innovation Boxes were placed at all event sites during Innovation Week 2016, which took place in November last year.  The boxes were available at a range of locations for members of the public to submit their own innovative ideas, which were discussed by the board today. 

In addition the meeting also gave all Section heads the opportunity to voice any challenges their department is facing in the field of innovation.  The topics were discussed and are now open to all employees to create innovative solutions to combat these challenges.

GCAA Innovation Framework 

Saif Mohamed Al Suwaidi, director general of GCAA today approved the updated GCAA Innovation Framework with regards to the upcoming 2017 Aeronnovation Awards.  This year’s awards will focus on ‘Improving passenger experience’, Improving aviation safety’ and ‘Improving aviation security’.  The award is based on the principal that the driving force behind innovative practices is people. This scheme will provide an opportunity for everyone in the UAE to showcase innovations they have designed, that can be implemented into mainstream practice and that can positively impact passenger experience, or safety and security in the aviation industry. The award prize is 100,000 AED for each of the theme. 

Saif Mohamed Al Suwaidi, Director General of GCAA stated that: “The objective of Aeronnovation Award Program is to give an opportunity to participate to all employees of the local department of civil aviation, national carriers, airports, manufacturing organizations and members of general public.” 

Laila Ali Bin Hareb Al Muhairi, assistant director general for GCAA Strategy and International Affairs, further added, “After the highly successful inaugural Aeronnovation award program in 2015, we are very much looking forward to seeing the new innovations that individuals develop and create this year.  We are excited to see changes implemented that will enhance the aviation industry in the UAE.”