Mohammed Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs, has been honoured for his efforts to raise government standards and champion innovation by a leading business school in France.
Mr Al Gergawi received an honorary professorship in leadership, public policy and government from Skema Business School, in recognition of his achievements in the government sector, including advancing public-sector excellence at home and abroad. The ceremony was attended by Professor Alice Guilhon, executive president and dean of Skema, and Frederique Vidal, France's former minister of higher education, research and innovation, and a member of the board of trustees at the highly regarded institution.
Skema Business School specialises in business education and research and operates in seven countries, including the UAE, United States, China and Brazil. "This distinction reflects Skema's commitment to honouring visionary leaders who have made a lasting impact on public policy, governance, and institutional innovation," read a statement issued by the Executive Office of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai.
It is the latest international accolade for the leading minister. In May 2024, he was awarded an honorary doctorate by Georgetown University at a graduation ceremony in Washington. Mr Al Gergawi received a Doctor of Humane Letters, Honoris Causa for his significant contributions to the public and private sectors and wider society, the state news agency Wam reported at the time.
He also gave the keynote address at the graduation ceremony for 900 students at the university’s McDonough School of Business. Mr Al Gergawi also serves as chairman of the World Governments Summit Organisation. He gave the opening address at the latest global gathering earlier this month, in which he called on governments to keep pace with innovation and asked the richest nations to contribute more to eliminate poverty.
“The past 25 years have been nothing short of extraordinary,” said Mr Al Gergawi. “Marked by certain transformations and unprecedented shifts, the world in 2000 was optimistic, with globalisation seen as an unstoppable force for economic good and technological innovation. But the opposite has happened and we have given way to fragmentation, protectionism and populism.”