In 2007, the Abu Dhabi Systems & Information Center (ADSIC) initiated the Spatial Data Infrastructure (AD-SDI) Program in collaboration with 9 government stakeholder entities. Within a relatively short period of time after five years of implementation, the AD-SDI program was successful in reaching a pole position internationally with a vision to empower government and society with open and timely access to up-to-date geographic information and spatially enabled e-government services. At present, the AD-SDI program portfolio includes a suite of services ranging from policy & strategy, organizational and technology infrastructure. At present, the AD-SDI Community has reached 55 stakeholder entities with representation from all sectors i.e. urban planning & local government, utilities & infrastructure, natural & cultural heritage, safety & security, businesses, information agencies, and others.
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In celebration of the AD-SDI program 5th anniversary, the AD-SDI Community organized a major outreach event in Dec. 10-12, 2012 in Abu Dhabi in collaboration with the Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI) who is conducting a user conference for the MENA region. The event, which was expected to attract more than 1,000 participants from around the globe including government representatives, technology vendors, service providers and subject-matter-experts, was endorsed by the Abu Dhabi Government. The event hosted an exhibition area featuring the Abu Dhabi Government, ESRI and other technology companies in addition to a plenary session, and several technical workshops organized by themes e.g. spatial data infrastructure, utilities, government, defense, etc.
During the event, ADSIC signed with ESRI, on behalf of Abu Dhabi Government, a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with a three-year licensing agreement comprising technical support and training to the stakeholder entities. The MOU is an integral component of the GIS capacity building strategy for Abu Dhabi that has been endorsed by Government. The GIS capacity building strategy, which was an outcome of the AD-SDI strategy update 2010-2014, comprises the following components: spatial education, planning and performance management.
Since 2007, GPC GIS has been supporting ADSIC starting with the inception of the AD-SDI Program through the entire lifecycle of implementation, institutionalization and adaptive management. This comprised the development of a comprehensive master plan, provision of support for implementation and operation, technology development and release management, GIS capacity building strategy development and execution in collaboration with the stakeholder entities. One of the innovative developments included the geo maturity assessment and GIS roadmap frameworks as cookbook elements to support the GIS capacity building process at the entities, and to empower the transformation of government services.