MBRSG Repository
Research Repository at MBRSG
Welcome to MBRSG Policy Research Repository
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- This community represents student dissertations and publications by the academic community.
- Policy research conducted by the Department of Policy Research that includes proceedings, reports, articles, and policy briefs on wide ranging contemporary issues.
Recent Submissions
How policies in the UAE support families with special education needs and disabilities children compared with global best practices
(2024-08) Amer abdulwahab almadani
This is the first study to examine policies supporting families of children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) or People of Determination as they called in the UAE compared with global best practice. The aim of the study is to explore the nature and range of services and support policies available to families with SEND children in the UAE and compare them with international best practice and standards for supporting SEND families. It analyses policies, issues and the UAE's performance compared to global standards. The report commends the UAE's inclusive policies but also points out gaps and limitations. Through a comprehensive analysis and relevant recommendations, the study aims to highlight the issues faced by families with special educational needs in the UAE, as well as highlighting significant gaps and contradictions. The study shows that families often face challenges such as financial stress, lack of awareness and inadequate healthcare coverage. In a comparative perspective, the paper evaluates successful international models such as Australia's National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and Sweden's Inclusive Education Framework. These benchmarks demonstrate effective strategies for inclusive support, ranging from financial assistance and health services to community awareness and inclusive practices. Based on these global examples, the document proposes short-term and long-term recommendations to improve UAE policies, with the aim of creating a more equitable and supportive environment for families with special educational needs.
Boosting Domestic Tourism: Unveiling the Hidden Gems of the UAE
(2024-09) Amira alhammadi
Tourism is a critical economic driver for the United Arab Emirates (UAE), significantly contributing to economic growth, cultural exchange, and sustainable development. This dissertation investigates the enhancement of domestic tourism within UAE, particularly in the less-visited emirates, by evaluating current tourism policies and benchmarking best practices from Zambia, Fiji, and Canada. The research employs a qualitative methodology, utilizing benchmarking and SWOT analyses to assess UAE's practices against international standards. The study is guided by two sub-questions: (1) What specific policy measures can the UAE implement to effectively promote domestic tourism in its less-visited emirates? (2) How does the UAE's current domestic tourism policy framework align with sustainable tourism practices advocated by international bodies such as the UNWTO?
Key findings indicate that while the UAE has made significant progress in international tourism, there is substantial potential for domestic tourism development. The study identifies critical factors for enhancing domestic tourism, including infrastructure development, destination enhancement, targeted marketing campaigns, and capacity-building initiatives. Additionally, the UAE's efforts in preserving cultural heritage and promoting sustainable tourism align with international best practices, but further improvements are needed to optimize domestic tourism. The research concludes with several policy recommendations for the UAE. These include investing in transportation and digital infrastructure, promoting cultural and heritage tourism, launching targeted marketing campaigns, and enhancing workforce training. Emphasizing sustainability, these strategies aim to preserve cultural heritage and natural resources while fostering economic growth and social cohesion. This dissertation provides a comprehensive framework for policymakers to enhance domestic tourism in the UAE sustainably. By balancing international and domestic tourism efforts, the UAE can ensure a resilient and diversified tourism sector, contributing to its broader strategic goals of economic diversification and sustainable development.
How Smart Ambulance Services Improve Patient Outcomes
(2024-07) Faris Bardan
The study "How Smart Ambulance Services Improve Patient Outcomes" explores the transformative impact of advanced technologies on emergency medical response. This research is critical due to the increasing demand for efficient healthcare delivery in urban environments. The primary problem addressed is the delay in emergency response times and suboptimal prehospital care, significantly affecting patient outcomes. The methodology involved a comprehensive review of current smart ambulance technologies, including GPS tracking, real-time traffic monitoring, wearable technology, telemedicine, IoT integration, and predictive algorithms. The results demonstrate that these technologies significantly reduce response times, enhance real-time monitoring and early intervention, improve coordination between emergency responders and healthcare facilities, and lead to more accurate triage and treatment decisions. The study highlights that investing in smart ambulance services can optimize resource allocation, improve patient outcomes, and enhance overall emergency medical services. The implications suggest that policymakers and healthcare authorities should prioritize integrating these technologies, address interoperability and data security challenges, and ensure continuous training for medical professionals to fully realize the benefits of smart ambulance services in enhancing patient care and saving lives.
Technology in the future of healthcare in UAE
(2024-08) Muna Alhammadi
This research investigates the transformative impact of emerging technologies on healthcare delivery in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), focusing on integration efforts across public and private sectors. The study explores how technologies such as AI, VR/AR, Blockchain, IoT, and robotics are reshaping patient care and operational efficiencies. The primary objective is to assess how these innovations enhance patient outcomes within the UAE's healthcare landscape. Using a qualitative desk research approach with content analysis, the study synthesizes data from diverse sources including reports, studies, and expert opinions.
Key findings highlight the proactive role of the Emirates Health Services (EHS) in pioneering technological adoption to elevate healthcare standards. EHS's strategic use of AI for predictive analytics, VR/AR for medical training and treatment, blockchain for secure health records, IoT for real-time patient monitoring, and robotics for precise surgeries exemplify cutting-edge applications driving systemic improvements. By integrating these technologies, EHS aims to optimize patient care, streamline operations, and ensure healthcare accessibility across the UAE.
The study identifies critical success factors such as strategic planning, collaborative partnerships, pilot projects, and ongoing training initiatives essential for effective technology integration. Insights from empirical studies underscore the benefits of digital transformation, including enhanced patient-provider communication, improved diagnostic accuracy, and operational efficiencies. Challenges such as data privacy, cybersecurity, and infrastructure readiness are also discussed, emphasizing the need for robust governance frameworks and stakeholder collaboration to mitigate risks.
Ultimately, this research contributes to understanding how advanced technologies can revolutionize healthcare delivery, offering insights to policymakers, healthcare providers, and technology developers aiming to optimize patient outcomes in evolving healthcare environments.
Rethinking sustainable urban mobility for Ras Alkhaimah
(2024-08) Raed Abounaga
The transportation sector in urban areas plays a crucial role in society's well-being, yet it simultaneously presents challenges that impede progress. This research addresses the lacuna in the literature by examining the application of sustainable transportation principles, focusing on stakeholders such as transportation planners. The primary objective is to harmonize transportation interventions and transform them into catalysts for development, environmental preservation, and meeting societal needs.
The study conducts a comprehensive review of existing literature and data analysis to assess the preparedness of rapidly urbanizing regions like Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for sustainable urban growth. Emphasizing the integration of various modes of transport, the assessment explores the environmental consequences of improving mobility infrastructure, highlighting benefits such as congestion reduction, emissions mitigation, and enhanced accessibility.
Drawing from global approaches, the research provides suggestions and a strategic plan for RAK to fortify its urban transportation system, aiming to balance growth with preservation and enhance the quality of life. The evaluation of RAK's current transportation system underscores its limitations, particularly in pedestrian accessibility and micro-mobility services. Recognizing RAK's ambitious goal of achieving a 30-40% public transport mode share by 2030, the study proposes realistic targets considering growth rates in neighboring cities: 3-5% by 2030, 15% by 2040, and 25% by 2050.
In conclusion, the thesis underscores the opportunity for RAK to strengthen its transportation policies and infrastructure, fostering smoother operations and coordination among systems. Strategic recommendations involve proposed projects, including improved transit frequency, passenger infrastructure, and active transportation corridors. Enabling policies focus on promoting public transport use, walkability, and private sector participation.
The proposed initiatives aim to meet sustainability goals and position RAK as a pioneer in creating a resilient and forward-thinking transportation ecosystem. Aligned with global best practices, these projects and policies ensure compliance and accelerate the transition to sustainable mobility by 2030.