The Department of Community Development - Abu Dhabi and Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) have signed an agreement that will enable knowledge transfer aimed at improving the quality of life of employees and providing advisory and technical support needed to implement research in the social field.

The agreement was signed by His Excellency Mazen Al Dahmani, Executive Director for Financial and Administrator Affairs at the DCD, and Saif Ateeq Al-Falahi, Senior Vice President, Group Business Support and Special Tasks at ADNOC, at the headquarters of the Abu Dhabi Energy Centre, in the presence of officials from both entities.

The agreement seeks to promote collaboration in exchanging experiences related to the quality of life of employees. This involves activating programmes that supports a balance between work and life, aligning with both DCD’s Abu Dhabi Family Wellbeing Strategy and ADNOC's Energy to Improve the Quality of Life strategy. The collaboration will include the exchange of studies and evaluations, as well as sharing supportive policies and best practices in human resources.

This collaboration further extends to joint efforts in developing scientific methodologies within the fields of social and academic research through the knowledge transfer, resources, and knowledge, with a shared commitment to contributing to the formulation and support of empowerment programmes. The focus of these programmes includes the integration of various groups, such as People of Determination, senior citizens, youth, women, families, children, and those without family care in the community through financial support, skills development, and employment opportunities.

His Excellency Engineer Hamad Ali Al Dhaheri, Undersecretary of the DCD, expressed appreciation for the collaboration facilitated by the agreement between the DCD and ADNOC, particularly in the societal context of Abu Dhabi. His Excellency elaborated that the agreement will enhance cooperation between the two entities through the development of scientific methodologies in social and academic research, with the help of knowledge transfer, resources, and knowledge. The agreement will also involve the exchange of reports on social monitoring, as well as joint efforts to propose and implement innovative social initiatives aimed at addressing observed social challenges and creating a positive social impact.

His Excellency added that the agreement will oblige the two entities to conduct seminars and workshops on social innovation aimed at exchanging ideas and developing methodologies to achieve social priorities. This cooperation will foster the establishment and support of emerging institutions with a social goal and third-sector entities in general. The cooperation will involve providing guidance and necessary resources, as well as creating targeted volunteer opportunities and motivating employees of both entities and society in general to engage in volunteer work by registering and directing volunteers towards specialised volunteer opportunities with social goals, all in accordance with relevant legislation and volunteering policies.

His Excellency Al Dhaheri said: “The DCD is keen to establish partnerships with government agencies, semi-government agencies, and the private sector to serve its societal goals. ADNOC is one of the leading entities that we can cooperate with and benefit from in training, academic courses and the experiences of those holding accredited professional certificates. This enhances the mission of the community sector in Abu Dhabi towards achieving a positive impact on the level of community development.”

Yasser Al Mazrouei, Executive Director, Upstream Directorate, Institutional and Commercial Support Department at ADNOC, said: “The DCD has immense expertise in the community sector, which supports our policies in developing our social field, both for employees and various segments of society. The signed MoU stipulates the exchange of consultative and technical support in implementing relevant research, and contributing to enriching experiences and developing skills and more.”

The agreement also stipulates working to provide social contributions to government priorities through corporate social responsibility and sponsorship, benefiting from third-sector suppliers, sharing any additional data related to activating social contribution, and benefiting from transferring the experiences of trainers working for both sides, and their knowledge in the areas of career guidance, partnership in community events and activities. In addition the agreement will also include the cooperation between the two parties regarding developing community plans and programmes directed to community members in the Al Dhafra Region.