Dr. Adnan Shihab-Eldin Director General Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences (KFAS)
Strengthening STI system to support building Knowledge-Based Economy (KBE) in Kuwait: The Role of KFAS Dr. Adnan Shihab-Eldin Kuwait Investment Forum Courtyard Marriott 9 March, 2016
Talking Points Context Why Kuwait needs investments in KBE for future growth History, Status and Outlook of STI in Kuwait STI indicators Map of STI system in Kuwait The Role of KFAS: a unique private public partnership (PPP) Concluding Remarks KFAS Dr. Adnan A. Shihab-Eldin
Context Kuwait 5-year development plan (2015-2020) allocates $103 billion to : Develop infrastructure Iincrease competitiveness (oil, power, water, transportation and communication sectors) Building knowledge economy Strengthening the economy against market instability (resilience) Developing the financial market Enabling private sector (to lead growth) Encourage FDI through legislation allowing 100 % foreign ownership KFAS Dr. Adnan A. Shihab-Eldin
Why Kuwait needs KBE for future growth? Socioeconomic Challenges to Sustainability Structural Economic Challenges Oil Price challenges Diversification challenges Energy Challenges (subsidy reform) Labor market challenges The Education Challenge (quality) Analysis & plan provided in 2009 by KFAS-sponsored LSE study,
Robust STI is a prerequisite for successful knowledge based economy Universal, quality education, with good S&M base Strong R&D base led by Govt. policy, leading to 2-3% GERD (2/3 business) Enabling environment for technology development: tech. Parks, VC funding, etc. KBE STI STI ecosystem KFAS Dr. Adnan A. Shihab-Eldin
History of investments in STI in Kuwait Kuwait invested heavily in education, even prior to oil exports Following oil export, Kuwait embarked on visionary plans to build modern education infrastructure in the 1950s and 60s. Investments continued throughout Higher education and research institutions started 1966 & is represented by KU and KISR which continued to be strengthened and expanded: PAAET, Private Universities, etc KFAS Dr. Adnan A. Shihab-Eldin
STI indicators R & D Expenditures [%] 5 3.75 4.2 4.1 2.5 3.3 2.8 1.25 0 2 1.2 1.1 0.8 2 0.7 0 0.3 0.2 0.5 0.07 0.5 KFAS Dr. Adnan A. Shihab-Eldin
Map of STI system in Kuwait National Council for Science, Technology & Innovation (NCSTI) STI Institutions Funding Agency Ministries Research Facilities Private Research facilities Legend National Organization KISR K. comp KU PAAET P. Uni. KFAS CRS GCTR ECC WRDC HRC ERC GE KTC IBM Lab Type of institution individual institution Govt. Organizations (PAI, EPA, PAAFR, HPC), Enterprises (e.g. KPC), NGO & Kuwait Society Planned / Proposed Existing Organizations Source: KISR 2015 KFAS Dr. Adnan A. Shihab-Eldin
Kuwait University KU 1966 Research Sectors priorities focused on four key goals: Enhancing Scientific Research at KU Investing research outputs Exploring New Frontiers Center for Research in Environmental Radiation Biotechnoly Center Globalizing KU research Developing scientific research culture Semiconductor Research Facility Electron Microscopy Unit SAF Nanotechnology Research Facility Center of Excellence in Management Petroleum Fluid Research Center
Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research KISR (1967): A national applied RD Laboratory established by PPP (Kuwait & Japanese Arabian Oil Co.) Some other facilities: Techno-Economic studies National Scientific & Technical Information Centre (NSTIC) Remote Sensing Lab. Satellite Imaging National Siesemic Network
KFAS - A unique vital PPP agent to advance STI in Kuwait KFAS has been incorporated in 1976 Upon a visionary initiative by late Amir and in cooperation and support private share holding companies KFAS Board 2015 Stimulate, support & invest in initiatives & human resources that contribute to the building of a strong STI system, culture & fostering an enabling environment KFAS Dr. Adnan A. Shihab-Eldin
Relationship between KFAS & Key Stakeholders Policy Institutes Private Sector Adjustment of Policies and Strategies Funding Performance Contracts Collaborate Educational Youth & Public at Large KFAS Oil Sector Domestic & Intl R&D & Academic Institutes
KFAS strategy 2 1 Linking Kuwait institutions & Government Entities with international centers of excellence through the Office of International Program KFAS is a catalyst partnering along with other national entities and mentoring the transition of Kuwait from a rentier state to a sustainable knowledge based economy Stimulating Science, Technology & Innovation with emphasis on national development priorities via the Research Directorate and 3 Major programs 1) Research Grants 2) Water & energy 3) Environment Dissemination of information at all levels of Society including Public Outreach via the Kuwait Scientific Centre 4 3 KFAS Dr. Adnan A. Shihab-Eldin
Science & Math Education S & M teachers training with MOE Adapting& dissiminating best S & M online material. Publicizing & Dissemination of Science &Technology Al Oloom Magazine, launched 1980; The launch of e-oloom magazine (2014). The publication of 145 books to date. The launch of e-al Taqaddum Al Elmi magazine (2015). The establishment of Digital Library, Kuwait Scientific Advancement Gate (KSAG) in 2015 launch in February 2016. Engagement in Science & Technology 25 20 15 10 5 0 300 250 200 150 100 50 0 16 6 3 23 12 9 9 8 7 7 5 4 22 11 1 17 2013 2014 2015 conferences and awareness campains siminars and simposium festivals and fairs 2013 2014 2015 scientific missions 4 4 workshops and forums training courses scintific competitions
Engaging the Youth & public in Science stablished 2000 It received 9 Million visitors since 2000. Awarded ISO 9001 in JAN 2016 It houses 3 main attractions: AQUARIUM DISCOVERY PLACE IMAX Expansion project construction 2016 (Dolphinarium open science exhibition)
Total value of Grants, KD No. of funded projects/% of Management cost STRATEGIC THRUST (ST2): Enhancing R&D Capacity in Kuwait Scientific Institutes Supported over 1000 research projects (76 in 2015), focus: Energy, Water, Environment, national problems, etc.. Intl. collaboration with centers of excellence (MIT, Harvard, LSE,..) Support mega elaborative research and demonstration projects: Total Value of grants KD No. of Funded projects %Mangment costs 7,000,000 80 6,000,000 6,444,991 76 70 60 5,000,000 63 62 50 4,000,000 40 3,000,000 44 38 40 30 31% 33 2,000,000 20 24 22% 1,000,000 21% 10 14% 10% 0 5.9% 6.5% 6.8 0 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 Energy Efficiency and Photovoltaic Systems Pilot for Homes & Coops Water Conservations Pilot Sustainability of Kuwait s Built Environment New Generation Brine Desalination and Management for Efficiency, Reliability and Sustainability KFAS Dr. Adnan A. Shihab-Eldin
Dasman Diabetes Institute Established 2006 (Research Treatment Awareness) Research: Over 57 ongoing research projects 120 Research Papers Treatment: TOTAL DDI REGISTERED PATIENTS 7831 KFAS Dr. Adnan A. Shihab-Eldin
Jaber Al Ahmad Center for Molecular Imaging Established 2012 Research, Diagnostic, Treatment
ST3: Catering for the Gifted & Innovators Sabah Al Ahmad Center for Creativity & Giftedness Established 2010 140 Inventions with Patent Certificates 137 120 100 80 60 86 83 85 101 68 90 54 62 New applications Inventions that obtained a registration code Inventions that obtained patent certificates * 40 20 0 2013 2014 2015 *The number of inventions that obtain patent certificates includes those of previous years
Sabah Al Ahmad Center for Creativity & Giftedness Established 2010 Number of Giftedness Classes in each Governorate Governorate 100 50 0 15 Number of classes of grade 6 Number of gifted students 26 Number of classes of grade 7 Asema 3 2 Ahmadi 2 2 Jahra 2-50 40 30 20 10 0 2012-2013 2013-2014 2014-2015 2015-2016 # Gifted students (Boys) # Gifted Students (Girls) 29 30 63 NUMBER OF TEACHERS IN GIFTEDNESS CLASSES 45 2013-2014 2014-2015 2015-2016 87 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 Training of Teachers, Inspectors and Specialists 50 6 45 60 48 48 45 Giftedness programs: FABLAB Kuwait FABLAB Art Math Club Smart Brain 2 TOT programs Psychologis training program on observation methods Purdue training of enrichment curricula
Number of Applications Number of Applications Inducing expanded R&D Expenditure in Private Sector through cost sharing support 6 5 5 Innovation 4 4 #. Of Companies Applied 4 Research 3 Vouchers 2 2 2 (IRV)- P3 1 1 Co-Funding In- House R&D- P4 0 12 10 8 6 4 2 0 2014 2015 2016 No. of Companies No. of applications 6 5 10 2014 2015 6
KFAS Financials: (Revenues & Expenditure) KFAS Annual Revenue & Expenditure (2014) KFAS Annual Revenue & Expenditure (2015) KFAS Dept. Contributions KFAS Dept. Contributions 20,517,457 28,356,457 18,900,874 25,924,175 SAC DDI 12,175,992 Other Income Investment Return 14,833,743 3,269,106 2,559,187 SAC DDI 9,295,109 Investment Return 9,515,825 3,222,855 Other Income 2,560,000 cash expenditure Revenue cash expenditure Revenue * بيانات عام 2015 غير مدققة Annual Revenues: Contributions 20-25 million K.D (~ 70 %) Return of Endowment Investments 10-15 million K.D (~30 %)
KFAS Innovation Challenge KFAS is committed to the development of Kuwait s private sector capacity in Science Technology & Innovation, we have dedicated a range of activities that facilitate this development. KFAS Innovation Challenge, a team based program that takes teams through 6 month innovation journey. We worked with world class universities to help engage companies in institutionalizing innovation. KFAS Open Enrolment Programs 2016 We bring in a vast network of leading training providers, offering the latest approaches to innovation. Our goal is to further advance the Private Sector knowledge and capabilities.
International Programs Kuwait Program SciencesPo in France Kuwait Program at London School of Economics (LSE) Kuwait MIT CNRE Kuwait Programs at Harvard Kennedy School Harvard Business School ICTP
KFAS Prizes Kuwait Prize 1979 (+120) Scientific Production Prize 1988 (+145) Al Sumait Prize 2015 Al Nouri Prize 2016
KFAS Engagements for SME (Collaboration with Markaz) Four case studies (FDI in Kuwait, Healthcare, Media and Retail) To be leveraged in case study based workshops Policy report on Fostering Innovation in Kuwait The recommendations to be moved from theory to application Kuwait Researchers Network (KRN) and Kuwait Research Collection (KRC) Database [Ongoing] National unified database that supports a knowledge economy Source: Markaz Presentation 2016 KFAS Dr. Adnan A. Shihab-Eldin
Concluding Remarks Kuwait has built a sizable STI (institutions, HR) that can provide support to private sector investments in KBE But the base needs to be strengthened and expanded through: increased government funding of R&D to at least ~ 1% of GDP increased private sector investment in RD to improve their high value added, BB, service and products (2/3 of total GERD) KFAS to expand its support to private sector STI capacity building & induce private companies RD/STI to increase RD investment through seed funding & cost sharing. Government to speed up establishing the National Council for STI (NCSTI) and empower it to work with KFAS to increase support to RD/STI and bring to international levels. KFAS to expand its role to support: Demonstration projects to promote commercialization of results of RDT (i.e. RTPV) Collaboration between Kuwait STI institutions and international centers of excellence KFAS to cooperate with KDIPA and others (KU, KISR, KPC), lead and coordinate efforts to attract and incubate establishment of investments in international R&D/ S&T centers in Kuwait
Thank You KFAS Dr. Adnan A. Shihab-Eldin