LIVE FROM GSMA MOBILE 360 MIDDLE EAST: The GSMA has teamed up with the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) telecoms regulator to establish a ‘Centre of Excellence’ in Dubai, offering 10 courses covering policy topics including spectrum management, mobile sector taxation, competition, mobile privacy and socio-economic development.

“The Centre of Excellence will provide regulators and policymakers from across the region with practical tools and best practices with the goal of creating an environment that encourages competition and investment in telecommunications in the UAE and across the Middle East,” noted a press release.

The centre will be located at the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority’s (TRA) headquarters and courses will begin in the first quarter of 2015. Delivered onsite or online, the courses plan to expand coverage areas into the Internet of Things, mobile identity, mCommerce and mGovernment. A one-year Masters course with an UAE academic institution is also in the works.

“Mobile is one of the most dynamic sectors in technology and regulatory authorities face a growing skills and knowledge gap as they work to keep pace with new developments in the industry,” said Anne Bouverot, Director General, GSMA, in a press release. “Together, we will leverage insights and knowledge of the market to develop a structured and scalable capacity building programme that will help inform regulatory decision making.