As part of its commitment to improving the government work environment, Tabuk Emirate has presented a unique model in developing open-source software¹, through its internally built Committees and Councils Management System, which has proven successful in enhancing decision-making mechanisms across government entities.
Enhancing Meeting Efficiency and Governance
The system was developed entirely in-house², without reliance on any external vendor, and offers integrated tools to:
- 1. Document meetings electronically to preserve all decisions.
- 2. Send automated notifications to members for easier scheduling.
- 3. Manage voting processes to ensure transparency in decision-making.
- 4. Automatically generate meeting minutes for efficient follow-up and implementation.
Reuse Across Government Entities
Thanks to its high efficiency, the system has been reused by two government entities³:
- 1. Tabuk Municipality
- 2. Al-Jouf Emirate
This reflects its success in meeting institutional needs and delivering measurable operational impact.
Commitment to Sustainability and Innovation
Tabuk Emirate ensured alignment with Software Governance Regulation No. 14⁴, relying on open-source software to promote:
- 1. Technical innovation through scalable and updatable solutions.
- 2. Enhanced digital security and full data ownership for government bodies.
- 3. Long-term sustainability with flexible systems that are easily reusable.
- 4. Reduced operational costs by eliminating the need for proprietary software.
Utilizing the jQuery Library in System Development
The Committees and Councils System was developed using the open-source jQuery library⁵, which enabled:
- 1. A dynamic, user-friendly interface.
- 2. Faster performance and responsiveness in a digital work environment.
- 3. Seamless integration with other platforms⁶, improving adaptability.
Well-Deserved Recognition at IGF 2024
In recognition of this technological achievement, Tabuk Emirate was honored at the Internet Governance Forum 2024⁷, for its success in accelerating digital transformation and supporting emerging technologies. This reflects its forward-looking vision to further expand and evolve the system.
Footnotes
1. Open-source software allows government entities to reuse and customize the source code to meet their needs.
2. Internal development reflects the capability of local teams to deliver sustainable digital solutions without relying on external vendors.
3. The reuse of the system by other government entities indicates its effectiveness and adaptability across different operational environments.
4. Software Governance Regulation No. 14, issued by the Digital Government Authority, provides a framework for managing and developing government software.
5. jQuery is an open-source JavaScript library used to simplify interactions with web pages and enhance user interfaces.
6. System integration ensures greater flexibility for future upgrades and interoperability with other digital platforms.
7. The Internet Governance Forum (IGF) is an annual event highlighting achievements in digital transformation across the public sector.
Electronic committees and councils
The Committee and Council Management System facilitates the documentation of meetings, sends electronic notifications to members, and manages electronic voting, with the capability to generate meeting minutes, enhancing organization and transparency in workflow.
