Dubai Customs launched an integrated training program initiative, which builds on the thorough review of Flashes of Thought (Wamadat Min Fikr) by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice-President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai. The book, which features a rich and diversified train of thoughts, represents an important reference and a must-read guide for public service employees seeking to develop themselves.

The program was launched in the presence of His Excellency Ahmed Butti Ahmed, Executive Chairman of Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation and Director General of Dubai Customs, along with a number of executive directors, department directors and other staff.

Mr Butti accentuated the significance of His Highness’s book on employee performance at Dubai Customs: “This distinguished initiative of materializing ideas contained in Flashes of Thought by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum into a training program, shall have remarkable impact on achievement. The book serves as a comprehensive course of action for attaining success and a practical guide for employees pursuing self-development and unique performance” He continued by asserting that “turning the book’s content into a training material will surely inject positive energy into employees and help promote their skills and capabilities.”

Dubai Customs’ Director General stressed the importance of positive energy on a person’s life, and its favourable implications on his/her happiness and development. He also indicated that one of Dubai Customs’ top priorities is to provide a stimulating work environment for its employees, and noted that it is essential that employees themselves be infused with this spirit of positive energy. Butti emphasized that employees of all government departments are welcome to take part in the program.

On his part, the Director of Corporate Communication Department – Dubai Customs, Mr. Khalil Saqer, presented a review of the book and affirmed that, in accordance with the Department’s leadership team directives, the initiative was to be adopted as a scientific approach for all Dubai Customs’ employees. A training program was designed in collaboration with the Customs Training Centre. It contains values that add a broad spectrum of knowledge and skills, and identifies actual priorities that lead to positive results. The course material comprises several key topics, which enrich the employee’s abilities regardless of his/her career level. “With this program we are targeting all management levels,” said Saqer. “Flashes of Thought is a valuable guidebook for knowledge and achievement for all of the Department’s career levels, as well as for other government entities eager to benefit from the Dubai Customs’ designed program, and those desiring to make the best out of the book to motivate innovation and reflect on Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid’s thoughts, and translate them into tangible reality, whether in personal or professional life,” he added.

Moreover, Khalil Saqer noted that it is important to draw lessons from His Highness’s leading experiments, especially considering that the book provides an eclectic collection of reflections on diverse and important experiences, and contains directives that stem from His Highness’s leadership philosophy, life experiences, and unique vision which led the development and advancement of Dubai, and secured for it an international leading position in all fields. The book is divided into chapters representing a dense course for success and a thoroughly-calculated approach to self-development for those seeking excellence. The book focuses on main topics: leadership, personal life, success and its drives, future government and comprehensive development priorities.