Mouza Al Mansoori, first Emirati researcher to obtain a doctorate in cybernetics

Abu Dhabi / Emirates Business

Emirati researcher Mouza Al Mansoori obtained a Doctorate in Business Administration from the Business School at the University of Manchester, United Kingdom, which she attended on a scholarship from the Scholarships Department and External Cultural Relations Department of the Ministry of Education in the UAE. She has become the first Emirati Researcher to obtain a Doctorate in Cybernetics and Innovation.
It is considered that the thesis Al Mansoori is currently undertaking is considered to be the first of its kind at the global level, and that she has applied an academic scientific research methodology that addresses one of the areas set by the UAE’s National Innovation Strategy: the implementation of an electronic system with a digital platform providing smart health services.
Furthermore, the conceptual framework of Al Mansoori’s research in developing a new scientific methodology is considered to be the first of its kind at the global level. This novel methodology, in which Al Mansoori has adopted four
scientific theories, is based on evidence and was tested successfully in the governmental and private sectors in the UAE
in the knowledge that this methodology is considered to be a new global scientific contribution that is capable of being replicated not only in the governmental and private sectors in the UAE, but also worldwide.
The research considered the role of innovative governmental initiatives adopted by the UAE with the aim of achieving top ranking globally in online services through promoting efficiency and effectiveness in the performance of the governmental sector. In addition, the UAE adopts innovative concepts that aim at developing the manner in which services are provided in the UAE. This is to guarantee the provision of an integrated digital system that is flexible, as well as specialised, collaborative and secure, in addition to providing smart effective services that are designed in accordance with the needs and aspirations of consumers.
The academic scientific research presented by Al Mansoori discusses the study of a model for a major type of innovative project for eGovernment that is beneficial for governmental and private organisation. Bearing this in mind, this project is considered to be the first-of-its-type at the global level. The results of benchmarking, undertaken considering several large countries, affirmed that this innovative project has not yet been implemented in any other country.
The findings of the research have proved that the UAE is a pioneering country and that it, alone, has applied this innovative project, which was launched in 2012 in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. This innovative project covered the establishment of an electronic system in addition to a smart digital platform that works with a developed technology and a vast database that has been established on international evidence-based guidelines. This system has proved to have had clear beneficial effects when compared to the national economy and to the efficiency of the government and private organisations, in addition to the participating bodies in society. It has also improved transparency and compliance with quality standards.
The research objectives comply with the UAE Vision 2021, which establishes the cornerstone for the UAE Centennial 2071. In addition, they comply with the UAE Vision regarding the launching of the Initiative of UAE Smart Government in 2013. This enhanced the position of the UAE in the ranks of developed countries, as the aim of the UAE government, through its distinctive governmental system, was to foster governmental work on the basis of innovative foundations and advanced standards. This advanced standard was targeted at achieving the desired outcomes as bases of excellence in services. Also, it is aimed at developing and accelerating the mechanisms of smart transformation in the sector that provides electronic governmental services.
The main objective of the research has been the development and building of an advanced framework that includes an integrated work system and a database of smart knowledge to enable the pursuit of the best international practices. A further objective is to address the basic rules of governance that direct the relations between organizational departments, and is concerned with regulating the service and other relevant organizations. The purpose of applying this framework to the systems of eGovernment in the planning, developmental or operational stages is to measure the level of performance, and to assess these systems from the perspectives of policy-makers, customers and stakeholders.
This business framework, developed by Dr Mouza, covers three basic dimensions: efficiency, effectiveness and values. Efficiency is based on minimizing operational and transactional costs; effectiveness is based on the quality of public services, in addition to facilitating governmental operations and customers’ satisfaction; values deals with the enhancement of accountability, transparency and justice.
This framework will enable the sustainable improvement of electronic services by promoting understanding of the different components of the systems, and the means by which these benefits may be achieved. The framework also provides a comprehensive understanding of the general value of electronic services, in addition to studying the challenges that impede accomplishment of the potential benefits and how to control them. Moreover; this framework provides a number of significant features comprised within a considered strategy that accommodates the needs and realizes the challenges that exist in the current electronic systems for the purpose of reaching a unified solution for an integrated work system that takes security standards into consideration, as well as applies the concepts of effective digital governance. This is in addition to complying with governmental policies, and guarantees an effective management that is qualified to maintain assets and resources in order to secure commitment to the highest standards of transparency and integrity.
This theory requires approved standards in terms of key performance indicators (KPIs), a mechanism for monitoring and tracking variations, a response to the outputs of comparing actual performance against desired performance, variance analysis, and the ability to adjust system performance according to the desired objectives by means of a set of KPIs established during the planning phase for application during the first phase of the system.
The system may subsequently be adjusted in accordance with the approved standards and the desired objectives, as well as based on a review of the feedback loop data. This adjustment in system performance may be undertaken either by staff, or automatically by programming system algorithms based on the intervention of machine learning and AI.
In addition, this framework provides a feedback loop, which is covered by cybernetics theory. This is essential not only for the existence of sanctioned standards for KPIs, but also to provide a mechanism with which to follow up and control performance on the basis of the nature of these indications. This is necessary in order to measure the performance of the system, to compare the system’s performance with standards and to respond to the outcomes of the comparison between actual performance and desired performance. This is achieved by means of analysing the difference between desired and actual performance and applying the capacity to modify the performance of the system electronically, with the opportunity to match the desired objectives determined in the data base through a set of basic performance indicators put in place during the first stage of planning the establishment of this system. Following this, performance parameters are modified in accordance with the sanctioned standards, the desired objectives, and for the purposes of development and improvement of performance. The modification of system performance may be undertaken by means of either human intervention, or automatically through the application of algorithms based on machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI).
Al Mansoori is in line to achieve accomplishments discussed in her doctoral thesis, considered the first of its kind at the global level, having become the first Emirati researcher in cybernetics and having developed a novel evidence-based scientific methodology that is considered the first of its kind in the world.
Furthermore, in recognition of her academic performance, in 2018 she was the first person to be nominated by the cultural Attaché to the UAE Embassy of the United Kingdom in the UK for enrolment in the post-doctoral studies programme at the University of Cambridge, one of the UK’s most prestigious universities.
In connection with research aimed at developing governmental medical services in the United Kingdom, in 2018 Al Mansoori was invited by Cambridge University to join a British fellowship research project alongside elite researchers in the field of health and information technology. The objective of the research was the development of an electronic system to create an integrated common business platform.
In recognition of her academic achievement in the field of cybernetics, in 2018 Al Mansoori was nominated to become a member of the Global Board of SCiO, a non-profit professional body for systems practitioners operating in the UK and internationally with members worldwide. SCiO is involved with implementing the types of system that contribute to solving complications and enhancing integrity between organisations. Additionally, Al Mansoori was assigned to the position of Regional Director for the Middle East in this organization.
In addition, Al Mansoori has been offered many invitations from international conferences for the purpose of contributing as a keynote speaker and, in 2019, she was delegated to represent the UAE at the International Conference of the Operational Research Society (OR61) in the United Kingdom. During the conference, she presented a research paper on the UAE’s remarkable achievements in the fields of digital transformation and innovation. The core focus of the research paper was the nation’s e-government services, as manifested in the UAE’s government strategy to provide smart and interactive services based on modern digital technologies (AI) and best international practices.
In recognition of Al Mansoori’s distinctive student career, in October 2020 Manchester University (United Kingdom) broadcast a media news item covering the scientific excellence she had achieved.
Al Mansoori declared that she is proud to be the first Emirati researcher in cybernetics, and that she has always sought to fulfil the dream of our exemplary leader, Sheikh Zayed (may God have mercy on him).
She also affirmed that her success in becoming a member of the Global Board of SCiO is compatible with the main objectives for the UAE Centennial 2071, which aims to enhance the level of teaching of the sciences and advanced technology for the purpose of improving productivity and performance. In addition to accomplishing a sustainable economy, the UAE Centennial 2071 project intends to create a people that is knowledgeable and diverse. Al Mansoori confirmed that her involvement with the SCiO is compatible with the UAE’s preparation for the coming fifty years, lead by a sustainable system for occupational education through strategies that aim at being transformed into a global centre for knowledge and innovation.
She also confirmed that her success in achieving this global position and the scientific success that she achieved during the period of her scholarship could not have happened without the support and care of UAE students and Emirati scholars supported by HH Sheikh Khalifah bin Zayid Al Nahyan, the UAE President, (may God keep him safe); HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai (may God bless him); HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Price of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces; and the UAE government, which makes every endeavour to support UAE students by qualifying them and sending them abroad to gain the skills and education on which the knowledge economy is based so as to contribute to building the future UAE.
Al Mansoori added that the Doctoral programme has given her the opportunity to proceed with qualitative and comprehensive research, indicating that the recommendations of the research are compatible with the objectives of the UAE’s Vision 2021 regarding laying the foundations for a distinctive and sustainable governmental performance, in addition to using science and technology to support national policies, taking into consideration that the UAE will maintain a leadership position in the field of AI globally by 2031.
She clarified that these recommendations included the execution of several innovative projects, the most important of which is the establishment of a specialized research centre in accordance with international best practices, as well as the implementation of academic scientific research aimed at developing an electronic system that includes a smart platform and an integrated mutual work principle that are based on modern digital technologies and AI.