Building Research Capacity in the UAE The Role of the National Research Foundation (NRF)

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Building Research Capacity in the UAE The Role
of the National Research Foundation (NRF)

• Presentation to
• Information and Communication Technology Research
  Forum
• (ICTRF2009)
• By Dr. Kenneth Wilson
• Director
• National Research Foundation, UAE
• Sunday, April 5, 2009

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Objectives
To enable the participants to better understand

• UAE research performance.
• The Knowledge Economy.
• The National Innovation System (NIS).
• National Research Foundation (NRF)

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UAE Research Performance

• The United Arab Emirates is the 66th ranked
  producer of scientific publications in the world
  in 2006, but 87th in publication impact as
  measured by the h-index.
• UAE experienced steady growth in output through
  2005, but its share of global and regional output
  is now in decline. UAE has not matched the
  exceptional growth experienced in Iran or Egypt.
• Source SRI International

Indicator Value Global Rank Regional Rank
Publication 7202 66 7
h-index 44 87 7
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MENA Scientific Publications
Source SRI International
Slide 4
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Source SRI International
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UAE Research Publications by Domain
Field Number of Publications 1996-2006 Field share of UAE Publications Field share of Global Publications Activity Index
Medicine 1998 27.74 28.64 0.97
Engineering 1430 19.86 16.06 1.24
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology 802 11.14 12.89 0.86
Computer Science 588 8.16 4.80 1.70
Agricultural and Biological Sciences 551 7.65 7.01 1.09
Mathematics 540 7.50 3.83 1.96
Physics and Astronomy 448 6.22 10.98 0.57
Earth and Planetary Sciences 410 5.69 4.53 1.26
Environmental Science 407 5.65 4.09 1.38
Chemical Engineering 393 5.46 4.40 1.24
Chemistry 359 4.98 7.45 0.67
Materials Science 333 4.62 7.40 0.63
Social Sciences 316 4.39 4.21 1.04
Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics 308 4.28 3.94 1.09
Energy 303 4.21 1.87 2.25
Immunology and Microbiology 271 3.76 3.69 1.02
Veterinary 256 3.55 1.05 3.40
Neuroscience 225 3.12 3.10 1.01
Business, Management and Accounting 166 2.30 1.95 1.18
Psychology 112 1.56 2.02 0.77
Decision Sciences 96 1.33 0.50 2.69
Economics, Econometrics and Finance 93 1.29 1.00 1.30
Source ICI Science Citation Index
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UAE Research Publications by Institution
University Publications 2000-2006 Average Impact Top Fields
United Arab Emirates University 1758 3.41 Biochemistry Molecular Biology Engineering, ChemicalCell Biology, Obstetrics Gynecology, Pediatrics
American University of Sharjah 252 1.88 Engineering, Electrical ElectronicMathematics, AppliedComputer Science, Interdisciplinary
University of Sharjah 197 2.37 Engineering, Electrical ElectronicMathematics, Applied Mathematics
Tawam Hosp 161 2.69 Medicine, General InternalPediatrics Surgery
Mafraq Hosp 68 1.65 Radiology, Nuclear Medicine Medical Imaging RheumatologyOphthalmology
Khalifa University (Etisalat College) 67 3.75 Mathematics, AppliedEngineering, Electrical ElectronicMathematics
Central Vet Research Lab 65 4.26 Veterinary SciencesReproductive BiologyFood Science Technology
Source SRI International
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UAE Research Publications by Sub-Discipline
Field 2006 Publications 2000-2006 Field Increase
Zoology 10 47
Automation Control Systems 18 44
Engineering, Multidisciplinary 18 44
Computer Science, Theory Methods 15 40
Microbiology 15 40
Infectious Diseases 15 40
Engineering, Electrical Electronic 49 35
Thermodynamics 11 33
Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence 16 32
Engineering, Civil 18 28
Mathematics, Applied 25 27
Immunology 18 24
Source SRI International
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Share of UAE International Co-authored Papers in
2000, 2003, and 2006
 Country 2000 2003 2006
USA 23 23 25
UK 19 15 15
Egypt 22 13 8
Canada 10 15 8
Jordan 7 7 4
Germany 2 8 9
France 2 6 7
Saudi Arabia 6 4 4
Kuwait 5 4 4
Australia 2 5 3
Source SRI International
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What is the Knowledge Economy?

• A knowledge-driven economy is one in which the
  generation and exploitation of knowledge play the
  predominant part in the creation of wealth (UK
  Department of Trade Industry, 1998).
• Economic prosperity depends upon knowledge
  creation and learning.

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What is Knowledge Economy? (Cont.)

• A companys intellectual capital is embodied in
  its employees knowledge, brainpower and
  processes. The ability to continuously improve
  these processes is a source of competitive
  advantage.

ICTs are
the enablers of knowledge creation
tools for releasing the creative potential and
knowledge embodied in people.
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Measuring the Knowledge Economy

• The World Bank Knowledge Assessment Methodology
  identifies
• four pillars of the Knowledge Economy

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Knowledge and Innovation Rank for GCC Countries
among world countries
Knowledge Rank among 140 countries
Innovations Rank among 134 countries
Country KEI KI
Bahrain 49 53
Kuwait 50 54
Oman 62 73
Qatar 45 49
Saudi Arabia 65 68
UAE 42 42
Country Quality of scientific research institutions University-industry research collaboration
Bahrain 100 101
Kuwait 54 73
Oman 59 39
Qatar 30 25
Saudi Arabia 47 37
UAE 74 58
Source The Knowledge Assessment Methodology
(KAM) 2008 rankings for 140 countries, The World
Bank Institute
Source The Global Competitiveness Report
2008-2009, World Economic Forum Executive
Opinion Survey 2007, 2008
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Education Rank for GCC Countries among 134
countries
Country Quality of Primary Education Secondary Enrollment Tertiary Enrollment Quality of the Educational System
Bahrain 65 19 64 56
Kuwait 92 60 88 94
Oman 43 62 77 51
Qatar 22 23 85 16
Saudi Arabia 75 39 70 70
UAE 39 56 79 38
Source The Global Competitiveness Report
2008-2009, World Economic Forum Executive
Opinion Survey 2007, 2008
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Source The World Bank (2006) Knowledge
Assessment Methodology Knowledge Index Innovation
Index and World Economic Forum (2006/7) Global
Competitiveness Report.
Source The Global Competitiveness Report
2008-2009-World Economic Forum
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Source The World Bank 2008 Knowledge Assessment
Methodology - Innovation Index
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What is Innovation?

Innovation is the conversion of knowledge and
ideas into a benefit, which may be for commercial
use or the public good the benefit may be new or
improved products, processes or services. Source
http//www.milmi.org/admin/uploadedPublications/1
296_Innovation_Indicator_Report_2007.pdf

According to Cutler (2008) Innovation is
commonly described as creating value by doing
things differently or doing something in a
novel way. Simply it is good ideas put to
work
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For UAE to position itself in the International
Innovation System, it is important that global
connections need to be created, supported by
active policy mechanisms, across a range of
levels

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What does NIS mean for individual researchers?
Categories of Innovation
Product Innovation Product Innovation Process Innovation Process Innovation
Science-Led Customer-Driven Technological Organizational
Radical Solar Panel Water Heating Internet Search Engines Genetically Modified Crops Toyotas Total Quality Management
Incremental More Efficient or Cheaper Solar Panels Home-delivered Pizzas Reducing Evaporation in Irrigation Systems A more Efficient Pay or Bonus System
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Source Terry Cutler, Venturous Australia, 2008
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What is a National Innovation System?
Innovation and Technology Development
Are results of
a complex set of relationships among actors in
the system, which includes enterprises,
universities and government research institutes.
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The Entrepreneur and National Innovation System

• The entrepreneur is the key organizer and
  agent within the innovation system.

• The entrepreneur depends upon the education and
  research system that accumulates and generates

Talented and creative people
knowledge and ideas
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Innovation is a Dynamic, Evolving and Learning
Process

• According to Cutler (2008) there are three
  highly interdependent functions within an
  innovation system
• knowledge production (the origination of new
  knowledge and ideas)
• Knowledge application (the deployment of
  knowledge and ideas in the real world) and
• Knowledge diffusion (the absorption of this
  applied knowledge and its adaptation in use).

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The Systemic Elements of the Innovation Process
What does NIS mean for individual researchers?
Origination or Adaptation
Knowledge Production
Creativity problem solving
Policies for a Robust National Innovation System
Productivity Competitiveness
Knowledge Diffusion
Deployment
Entrepreneurialism
Knowledge Application
Diffusion and Absorption
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Source Terry Cutler, Venturous Australia, 2008
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The National Innovation System (Cont.)

• Innovation is built on stocks of knowledge and
  capability, and the information flows of the
  innovation capital around these.
• Innovation Policy is a central part of Economic
  policy.
• A successful NIS invests in each innovation stock
  component as well as in the flows and linkages
  between them.
• A NIS incorporates regional and sectoral clusters
  of activity RIS and SIS. This is where Ankabut
  will play a key role.
• Within a globalized economy, a NIS also needs to
  be positioned within a global innovation
  ecosystem. This is also where Ankabut will play a
  key role.

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What does NIS mean for individual researchers?
Innovation Stocks and Flows
Stocks Flows
Human Capital Social Networks
Institutions Trusted transactions
Facilities (plant and equipment) Fitness for purposes access and Operability
Information and data Access freedoms to use and adapt
Source Terry Cutler, Venturous Australia, 2008
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What does NIS mean for individual researchers?
The Innovation Landscape
Governance Institutional Alignment
Information flows and Freedoms to Innovate
Entrepreneurial Firms and Innovative Workplaces
Sustainable National Prosperity and Wellbeing
Supporting Infrastructure
National Innovation Priorities
Human Capital and Social Networks
Global Integration
Market Design and Regulation
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Source Terry Cutler, Venturous Australia, 2008
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What is the National Research Foundation (NRF)
in the UAE?
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NRF Vision

• To support world-class research activities,
  and create an internationally competitive
  research environment and innovation system in the
  United Arab Emirates.

NRF Mission
To build an internationally competitive
research capacity for the economic and social
development of the United Arab Emirates.
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NRF will

• Fund research activity consistent with national
  priorities
• Boost research performance and create
  world-class research Centers in the country
• Encourage collaborative research activity
  between public and private universities, and
  industry
• Create new knowledge that leads to economic and
  social benefits in the UAE
• Facilitate the transfer of knowledge into
  economic and social activity
• Improve the UAEs international benchmarking on
  Research and Development.

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NRF Guiding Principles

• Excellence support high-quality and innovative
  research that is locally relevant and
  internationally recognized.
• Strategic direction support research in areas
  of national priority that delivers the greatest
  benefits to the UAE.
• Accountability use transparent processes
  consistent with international best-practice.
• Partnership Encourage partnerships among
  universities, research institutes and centers,
  government, and industry at the local, national,
  and international level.

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NRF at a glance

• Small organization focused and flexible
• Providing research leadership and advice
• Investing in research in UAE universities
• Facilitating research networks partnerships
• Helping to build an innovation culture and
  national innovation system
• Assisting industry and commerce grow its research
  activities
• Raising awareness of the importance of research.

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NRF Stakeholders

• The Federal Institutions
• UAEU,
• Zayed University,
• HCT
• CAA Accredited Institutions
• 58 heterogeneous Private universities and
  colleges

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NRF Awards

• Research Excellence Centers, 2008
• Four Centers established from 18 proposals
• Water the Environment
• Genes and Diseases
• NanoScinece NanoEngineering
• Bilingualism Bilingual Education
• Research Scholarship Awards, 2009
• 653 Pre-proposals submitted from 33 institutions.
  Expect to fund 100-150 proposals.

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NRFs 2009 Research Scholarship Awards Pre-proposal Submissions by Domain NRFs 2009 Research Scholarship Awards Pre-proposal Submissions by Domain
Domain Number of Pre-proposal Submissions
Agricultural Sciences 16
Biological Sciences 13
Business Management 57
Chemical Sciences 22
Computer and Information Science Engineering 88
Earth Sciences 10
Ecology and Environmental Sciences 26
Economics, Finance, and Accounting 48
Engineering 127
Humanities and Cultural Studies 33
Material Science and Engineering 22
Medical, Dental, and Veterinary Sciences 103
Physical Sciences and Mathematics 29
Social Sciences 59
Total 653
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National Research Priorities?Emerging Research
Opportunities

Environment - Water, soil/desert - Air pollution dust
Health - Genetic diseases - Diabetes and obesity
Energy - Petroleum extraction and downstreaming - Solar and other alternatives
Education - K-12 - Science Math
Transport, Logistics Tourism - Air, sea and auto - Risk management and distribution
Sustainable cities - Sustainable buildings - Sustainable roads and infrastructure
Innovation Entrepreneurship - Knowledge Economy - NIS, RIS, SIS, GI Ecosystem
Culture and Religion - Social change and cultural tensions - Religion and pluralism
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Conclusion

• Thank you for listening patiently
• Now for Questions!

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