SBS Dubai graduate Alaa Al Amiry (Class of 2016) has been awarded the Conti Research Prize for Systems Thinking and Organisational Capability for her MBA thesis, 'An Exploratory Study on the Use of Mobile Apps & their Implications for Internal Business Processes in Healthcare Organizations in the UAE'. The award, bestowed by the Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University, recognises cutting-edge research in the Arab World.
Alaa received the award at the university's annual conference Innovation Arabia 10 in the presence of UAE leaders and key decision makers. The award was presented by H.E. Lieutenant General Dhahi Khalfan Tamim, Deputy Chairman of Police and General Security in Dubai and Chairman of the HBMSU Board of Governors.
Speaking about the award afterwards, Alaa, a lecturer at Ajman University, commented, "I am proud of this achievement and it's given me the confidence to strive for greater success. Standing out from the crowd is challenging nowadays with the intense competitive environment and access to excellent education. Winning this prestigious award distinguishes my work, and attaining my MBA from Strathclyde Business School has given me a distinct advantage in my career."
Alaa dedicated her thesis to her young daughter, Nuwar, whom she hopes to be a source of inspiration for in pursuing her own career and ambitions. She also dedicated it to H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, for his vital role in executing Dubai's vision to become the world's smartest city by 2021. Her thesis was supervised by Mr Benney Sweeney.
The Conti Research Prize for Systems Thinking and Organisational Capability was established by HBMSU in honour of Professor Tito Conti, an eminent scholar and consultant in the areas of quality and organisational excellence. The award recognises and supports research that focuses on the Middle East needs and addresses pressing questions related to systems thinking and organisational capability. The aim of the prize is to encourage and reward research that moves away from a mechanistic approach towards a systems approach in the context of organisations.