Happiness @ Work Unveils Secrets of Happiness and Positivity

The Center for Executive Development at the University of Dubai (CED-UD) held the first “Happiness @ Work Forumî on September 18, 2017 at UD’s campus in Dubai Academic City where three experts†discussed happiness empowerment and transformation at the workplace. The forum was attended by a group of specialists on happiness and positivity as well as representatives of government, private, and public institutions supporting the initiatives of happiness in the United Arab Emirates. Greeted by UD President Dr. Eesa Al Bastaki, the three panelists were Senior SVP People Happiness & Innovation at the Silicon Oasis Authority Mr. Haidar Ali, Chief of Happiness and Positivity Council at UD Mr. Hikmat Beani, and Executive Coach in Happiness and Emotional Intelligence Ms. Gihan Abu El-Ela. Dr. Al Bastaki welcomed the audience and said that UD has adopted the ideas and initiatives established by Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum. ìWe have designed a special, certified diploma to train employees and grant them the skills and tactics of achieving happiness in the workplace,î he said. Dr. Al Bastaki added that UD is aiming to contribute in†making Dubai the smartest and happiest city in the world. Mr. Ali spoke about the UAE’s strategies to achieve†happiness and positivity as he provided examples†of the programs established at Silicon Oasis to satisfy both employees and customers. He then shared with the audience how to create and spread happiness in the workplace focusing on emotional intelligence and positive psychology. Mr. Beani elaborated on the Happiness and Positivity Council at UD and said that it is important for†human resources departments to focus on†activating the principles of happiness and enable employees to apply them in their†work environments. During the Forum, CED has also launched its first certified ìHappiness @ Work Professional Diplomaî which will be starting in October, 2017. Happiness @ Work program aims to equip individuals with the necessary techniques to make happiness and positivity †integral parts of the workplace. It provides a framework that gives employees the knowledge and power to create, manage and lead happiness. It is a unique program designed to develop and embed positivity and happiness at the corporate level. The program is being taught by practitioners who have been at the forefront of happiness implementation. This Professional Diploma is made up of three certificates: Level 1: Empowering Happiness, Level 2: Transformational Happiness, and Level 3: Strategic Happiness. Upon completion of the program hours, students will be awarded a Professional Diploma certified by KHDA. All candidates are required to start at level one as the three levels are designed to be progressive modules with each module building upon the previous one.