UAE to include biometric data of school students in the population registry

The procedure is carried out through on-site visits, eliminating the requirement for students to visit customer happiness centers.

The Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (FAIC) and the UAE Ministry of Education have jointly launched the second phase of the 'Closer to You' initiative. This initiative aims to integrate the biometric information of school students aged 15 and above into the FAIC's population registry system.

To accomplish this, field visits are conducted through a collaboration between the General Directorate of Identity and Passport Affairs and the Emirates Foundation for School Education. These visits eliminate the need for students to visit customer happiness centers. Specialized teams are assigned to perform biometric operations and ensure the collection of student data within the scheduled timeline.

Parents are encouraged to motivate their children to participate in the initiative by registering through the provided mobile platforms during these field visits.

Major General Saeed Saif Al Khaili, the Director-General of the FAIC, underscored the commitment of the authority to enhancing comprehensive and integrated services. He further explained that the second phase of the 'Closer to You' initiative is a continuation of the collaborative efforts between the FAIC and the UAE Ministry of Education.

The initial phase of the initiative took place during the months of February and March in the 2022-2023 academic year, encompassing schools nationwide. The primary objective was to facilitate communication and interaction between government institutions and various members of the community. Additionally, it aimed to simplify the process for parents to include their children's biometric information while they were present at school.

Al Khaili emphasized the significance of enhancing government service portfolios and their active role in improving service quality in an integrated manner. This initiative aligns with the UAE Government's strategy for government services from 2021 to 2025.

He also highlighted the successful outcomes of the first phase's field visits, which exceeded expectations. The initiative achieved an actual inclusion rate of 192 percent within the first month, with 1,923 students from 91 different schools across the country participating.

News Source: Khaleej Times