Dubai - MENA Herald: Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation (MBRF) – a member of Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives – concluded a national seminar to launch the Arab Knowledge Index in the Jordanian capital Amman.
The event, organised under the patronage of H.R.H. Princess Sumaya Bint El Hassan, President of Royal Scientific Society, and in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), discussed the results of the Arab Knowledge Index and its methodology. In the coming period, the seminar will take place in key Arab cities as well as other countries as part of plans to announce the results of the Arab Knowledge Index across the world.
The seminar was attended by H.R.H. Princess Sumaya Bint El Hassan, H.E. Jamal bin Huwaireb, Managing Director of MBRF, H.E. Zena Ali Ahmed, Director of the UNDP in Jordan, and Professor Hani Aldmour, Secretary General of the Ministry Higher Education and Scientific Research in Jordan. Heads of Jordanian universities and specialists in the field of knowledge were also present at the event.
Highlighting the relationship between universities and knowledge, the first session of the seminar stressed the contribution of university education in creating knowledge and transferring information. The session also pointed to the importance of developing the capabilities of universities to keep up with the digital revolution.
H.E. Zena Ali Ahmed said the Arab Knowledge Index reflected the state of knowledge development in the Arab region, taking into account the peculiarities of this region and its cultural aspects. Arab youth have a pivotal role in building knowledge societies, HE Zena Ali Ahmed added. She said the index represented a major leap in the efforts to monitor the development of knowledge in the region and attain sustainable human development.
Addressing the seminar, HE Jamal bin Huwaireb said the Arab Knowledge Index has succeeded in evaluating the current status of knowledge in the Arab region, and providing substantial findings and recommendations to establish a competitive environment. HE Bin Huwaireb urged governments and authorities to promote initiatives and programmes that contribute to the distribution and transfer of knowledge and help communities achieve sustainable development.
HE Bin Huwaireb pointed out that the Arab Knowledge Index is not designed to rank the countries or compare them in terms of knowledge but is aimed at creating a systematic mechanism to explain the status of knowledge in six key areas: Pre-university education; University Education; Vocational and Training Education; Research, Development and Innovation; Information and Communication Technology; and Economy.
Speaking at the seminar, Professor Hani Aldmour commended the Arab Knowledge Index project stating that the initiative supported the higher education field and enhanced knowledge management in various sectors. Professor Aldmour added that the Index was a major step towards addressing the needs of the higher education sector and supporting young people as well as entities involved in the management and dissemination of knowledge.
Addressing the event, H.R.H. Princess Sumaya Bint El Hassan said the partnership between the UNDP and MBRF represented a clear example on the importance of the integration of national and regional efforts to create a knowledge-based society.
“The index has a fundamental role in building a society based on justice and tolerance. It will offer qualitative and accurate diagnosis of prevailing knowledge situations to support decision-makers, experts, researchers and academics in preparing strategic plans and meeting challenges to contribute to the comprehensive and sustainable development of the society,” H.R.H. Princess Sumaya said.
The second session of the seminar discussed the results of the Arab Knowledge Index as well as its methodology and objectives. The session also highlighted the results of the Index related to each Arab country, particularly Jordan.
