Nigel baker
Strategic Adviser, Abu Dhabi Police
Problem
Nigel observed low impact on knowledge transfer, understanding, skills and attitudes among trainees in the Police and Security field throughout the UAE. He identified the need to improve policing and security related skills via technology enhanced interactive learning experiences, by introducing curriculum standards and by introducing an accredited structure for quality assurance. Innovation Nigel is leading the creation and implementation of the Academy of International Security (AIS), which is designed to teach and train participants at the highest standards, in collaboration with national and international universities and using an applied and hands-on philosophy. The three core activities of the AIS are: 1) Accredited Continuing Professional Development (CPD) training; 2) Research; 3) Consultancy. Impact The impact of this project is that a new partnership has been formed which will integrate both policing and security with an international and national group of highly regarded universities that will, for the first time in the UAE, offer a wide variety of accredited CPD courses, contribute to an international programme of security research and help to create a consultancy resource that will help to develop skills and the capacity of security landscape within the UAE. Skills Nigel exhibits many skills of an innovator. Once he identified the significant need for enhancing the knowledge and the skills of the Ministry of Interior (MOI) employees in the UAE, he started to ask questions - how to add value to the MOI and how to address problems at both national and international levels. He used the practice of observing to understand the current processes and structure, and to find the gaps that might exist within the current training. Also he has developed the capacity to keep looking forward when encountering obstacles to his vision of creating the academy. He focused on reflecting on the various possibilities and alternatives to address the identified gaps. His ability to think in a non-linear way allowed him to focus on developing the correct solutions. Nigel’s networking ability, such as his involvement in the International Security Conference as key note speaker, gave him the opportunity to interact with security practitioners and meet up with influential intuitional representatives. His passion and confidence helped bring his vision to a reality with the establishment of the Academy of International Security. |
Bio
Nigel Baker has worked within the security services for over twenty years. His experience as a police officer in Northern Ireland helped him recognize the demand for high quality education and training in the field of security within the UAE. Previously he played a role in creating a special operations school in Kosovo and Bosnia for the Organization for Security & Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). |