"The main idea behind government partnerships with the private sector is to create an adequate environment for initiatives that foster inspiration and happiness in society," asserted Ohood bint Khalfan Al Roumi, Minister of State for Happiness, at the graduation ceremony for the inaugural class of the Happiness and Positivity Programme for the Private Sector.

The course was organised by the National Happiness and Positivity Programme, in collaboration with the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, to train qualified Chief Happiness and Positivity Officers for the private sector. The programme was designed to meet the industry's needs. It equips participants with the right skills and tools to launch science-based initiatives that take a practical and pragmatic approach to spreading happiness and positivity.

Ohood Al Roumi explained that the programme reflects the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, who has asserted that happy people produce more, live longer, and drive better economic development in their communities and countries. "With that in mind, we are committed to establishing environments that are conducive to initiatives that spread happiness and positivity in society," she added.

The Minister of State for Happiness said, "A positive work environment is essential to spreading happiness and productivity among employees. This significantly improves the efficiency, the quality of services, and, consequently, the prosperity of an organisation. The National Happiness and Positivity Programme, and in collaboration with influential private-sector partners, seeks to promote social responsibility and train staff to design and implement initiatives and projects that spread happiness in the workplace and the community at large."

Al Roumi lauded the Wharton School and the Positive Psychology Centre at the University of Pennsylvania for offering the scientific and practical content of the course, as well as the private companies in the UAE that sent high-profile executives to take part in the unprecedented programme.

Graduates from the programme reported gaining practical experience and valuable knowledge they can implement in the workplace to spread happiness among employees, all the while boosting customer satisfaction.

The Happiness and Positivity Programme for the Private Sector targets mid-level and senior executives in private companies across the UAE. The first of its kind in the region, the course seeks to train qualified Chief Happiness and Positivity Officers in the private sector, who will not only launch happiness-focused initiatives but also transfer their newly acquired skills to the rest of the staff.

The programme addressed "institutional happiness" and its impact on productivity, where participants experimented with different approaches to designing successful initiatives, drive change and progress, create happy and positive work environments, and use emotional intelligence as a tool to strengthen employee relations and increase productivity.

Source: WAM