In a scientific cooperation between Bahrain Institute for Public Administration (BIPA) and the Arabian Gulf University (AGU), a joint research team was recently formed, in coordination with the Supreme Council for Health (SCE), to study the concept of crisis-based innovation amidst the Coronavirus pandemic
The study aims to set a theoretical framework for dealing with crises basing on measuring the awareness of people with regards to dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic and determining its impact on different sectors.
AGU President Dr Khalid Dr Al Ohaly said, “These three elements are, in fact, an empowering essence and spirit that reflect the main features of wise leadership, and it is what the concerned government authorities are implementing in their battle against the Coronavirus pandemic.
“The efforts devoted by the Government of Bahrain through the Coordination Committee, led by the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, is considered a pioneering, brilliant and creative model and on the highest levels of excellence in crisis management; a matter that attracted the attention of international organisations, which praised the efficiency of Bahrain in managing this crisis.”
He added that the strategic partnership with BIPA is derived from AGU’s leading role to combat strategic issues in the GCC, based on its specialisations in innovation management and crisis management, and comes in implementation of HRH the Premier’s directives to coordinate with the Institute and SCE to prepare a study on the creative and innovative aspects that characterised the efforts made by the Government Bahrain through the Coordination Committee to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.
BIPA Director General Dr Raed Mohammed Binshams asserted that the wise handling of the crisis by the kingdom resulted in the protection of citizens and residents, while at the same time safeguarding the economic life and ensuring its continuity.
The study has several objectives, such as measuring the public sector’s ability to respond to crises, developing a flexible administrative system so that it generates institutional knowledge through which a deeper understanding of people’s response to government directives is drawn, measuring the efficiency of senior management in the public sector in utilising social media platforms and sending informative media messages that change the knowledge, behaviour and attitudes of citizens and residents.
