The Role of UAE National Research Foundation in Promoting Research Capacity

The Role of UAE National Research Foundation in Promoting Research Capacity National Research Foundation UAE Presentation to First International Platform on Integrating Arab e-infrastructure in a Global Environment (e-age 2011) 12-14 December 2011 Amman-Jordan By Dr Husam Sultan Al Ulama, Director & Maha Korttom, Senior Knowledge Management & Research Specialist

Overview Some UAE Context & figures UAE Higher Education Standards & Institutions (Federal & Non-Federal) 2011-2013 UAE Government Strategy Directions (7 Strategic Priorities & 7 Strategic Enablers) Innovation, Knowledge Economy and Competitiveness at a glance Why do research funding agencies exist? The Role of the National Research Foundation in Promoting R&D and Building Knowledge Economy in the UAE NRF Proposal and Award Process Concluding Remarks and UAE Up-lift Strategy

UAE Population at a Glance - At mid-2010 the population of the UAE was estimated to be 8.3 m, up from 5.1 m in 2009, up from 4.8 m in 2008 -Despite the rapid growth in the UAE population, the country has maintained its position as one of the wealthiest nations in terms of GDP capita income. - GDP capita income was estimated at Dh195,000 (US$53,134) at the end of 2008, second only to Qatar in the Arab world. - UAE Economy is much bigger than is needed to employ all nationals -UAE has a very young populations. 2010 UAE Yearbook www.uaeinteract.com

UAE Population By Age Group & Sex (UAE Nationals -2010) Age Group M F Total M (%) F (%) Total (%) <15 185,016 175,187 360,203 38.6 37.4 38.0 15 to <40 219,709 223,748 443,457 45.9 47.7 46.8 40 to <60 51,957 53,593 105,550 10.8 11.4 11.1 >=60 22,427 16,360 38,787 4.7 3.5 4.1 Total 479,109 468,888 947,997 100 100 100 Source: UAE National Bureau of Statistics Estimates UAE Population by Nationality & Gender (mid 2010) Estimates Mid 2010 M F Total Nationals 479,109 468,888 947,997 Non-Nationals 5,682,711 1,633,362 7,316,073 Grand Total 6,161,820 2,102,250 8,264,070 %Nationals 7.8 22.3 11 Source: UAE National Statistics Center (Estimates)

Emirates UAE National Population by Gender & Emirate (mid 2010) Estimates Mid 2010 Male Female Total Abu Dhabi 204,108 200,438 404,546 Dubai 84,245 83,784 168,029 Sharjah 78,818 74,547 153,365 Ajman 21,600 20,586 42,186 Umm Al Qaiwain 8,671 8,811 17,482 Ras Al Khaimah 49,181 48,348 97,529 Fujairah 32,486 32,374 64,860 Grand Total 479,109 468,888 947,997 Source: UAE National Statistics Center (Estimates)

UAE Higher Education Educating the Individual is the Most Valuable Investment HH Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan The late President of the UAE

Knowledge conveys power the power to shape our economy, the power to shape our society, and the power to shape our future. HE Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan Minister of Higher Education & Scientific Research The colleges & universities of the UAE, government-supported & private alike, play an essential role as we here in the U.A.E. seek to realize the tremendous potential of a knowledge-based future. the utmost importance that institutions in the U.A.E. offer the highest quality academic programs, programs that are recognized both within the country & internationally for their excellence.

UAE s Higher Education Standards and The Role of the Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA) The UAE Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA) is: The Federal Government's Quality Assurance Agency Charged with promoting educational excellence across diverse institutions of higher learning in the UAE the CAA strives to assure high quality education, consistent with international standards. The CAA uses two inter-related standards-based Quality Assurance Processes to assess educational quality: institutional licensure & program accreditation

UAE s Higher Education Institutions at a Glance In the UAE there are: 3 Federal Higher Education Institutions: United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) Zayed University (ZU) Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) 70 Non Federal Licensed Higher Education Institutions (licensed and with accredited programs by CAA) Other Higher Education Institutions (NOT accredited by CAA)

UAE University Facts & Figures UAE Federal Higher Institutions at a Glance (Cont.) http://www.uaeu.ac.ae/about/history/facts _and_figures.shtml Male & Female Students: There were 12,279 students registered at the University. Enrolled male students represented 25%, while female students represented 75% of the entire student population. The distribution of the enrolled students across the various faculties Faculty Male Female Students Students Total % Humanities & Social Sciences 259 2,629 2,888 23.5 Sciences 276 752 1,028 8.4 Education 0 750 750 6.1 Business & Economics 884 1,926 2,810 22.9 Law 366 436 802 6.5 Food & Agriculture 96 477 573 4.7 Engineering 756 1,098 1,854 15.1 Medicine & Health Sciences 105 247 352 2.9 Information Technology 105 454 559 4.6 Prof. Diploma in Teaching 0 96 96 0.8 Graduate Studies 206 258 464 3.8 Doctorate 29 74 103 0.8 Total 3,082 9,197 12,279 100

UAE Federal Higher Institutions at a Glance UAE University (Cont.) http://www.uaeu.ac.ae/research UAEU is now ranked as: #1 Research University in the GCC Countries #2 Research University in the Arab World #9 Research University in the Muslim World #384 in the Research Universities of the World.

UAE Federal Higher Institutions at a Glance UAE University (Cont.) Research at UAEU has contributed significantly to the development of many research areas in the UAE ranging from: -the development of water resources, -petroleum resources, -solar and other forms of renewable energy, -medical developments; and -development of significant economic activities. UAEU s Grants for Research In the last ten years UAEU Faculty members have been granted in excess of 230 million AED in Research Funds.

UAE Federal Higher Institutions at a Glance (Cont.) Higher Colleges of Technology (HCTs) HCT is the largest higher educational institution in the UAE Over 19,000 students attend 17 men s & women s campuses in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah, Sharjah, Fujairah and Madinat Zayed/Ruwais. 13

Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030 UAE Vision 2021 UAE R&D at a Glance Historically limited funding for research in universities & no funding on a competitive basis Little research currently undertaken in the UAE universities; Focus has been on undergraduate teaching. Little postgraduate research Economic diversification strategies traditionally linked to infrastructure & property development, and services Recent shift to include the Knowledge Economy in economic diversification strategies: UAE Government Strategy 2011-13

What is Innovation, Knowledge Economy and Competitiveness?

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/1296_innovation_indicator_report_2007.pdf 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 According to Cutler (2008)

Innovation is a Dynamic, Evolving and Learning Process 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). According to Cutler (2008)

The Systemic What does Elements NIS mean of for the individual Innovation researchers? Process Origination or Adaptation Knowledge Production Knowledge Diffusion Policies for a Robust National Innovation System Deployment Diffusion and Absorption Knowledge Application Source: Terry Cutler, Venturous Australia, 2008 20

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.

Measuring the Knowledge Economy The World Bank Knowledge Assessment Methodology identifies four pillars of the Knowledge Economy: Pillar1 Pillar2 Economic and institutional regime Education and skills Innovation system ICT infrastructure Pillar4 Pillar3

UAE & the International Innovation System 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 the following levels: Level 1: Internationalization through Talent & Mobility Level 2: Internationalization through Business & Enterprise Level 3: Internationalization through Institutions & Infrastructure

National Innovation System is the network of institutions in the public & private sectors whose activities & interactions initiate, import, modify and diffuse new technologies (Freeman, 1987) Innovation & Technology Development Are results of A complex set of relationships among actors in the system, which includes: Enterprises, Universities Government research institutes.

The National Research Foundation (NRF) in the UAE

About NRF On March 7th, 2008 HE Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, UAE MoHESR, signed a decision creating the National Research Foundation (NRF). NRF is established to make a difference in the growth & development of research activity in the UAE.

NRF Vision To support world-class research activities, and create an internationally competitive research environment and innovation system in the UAE

NRF Mission To build an internationally competitive research capacity for the economic and social development of the UAE

NRF s Functions Provide research leadership in the country; Advise the Minister of HESR on all research matters; Recommend the funding of research centers, programs, institutions and individuals; Administer the research initiatives, schemes and funding programs for which it has responsibility.

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 UAE s international benchmarking on Research and Development.

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.

So NRF at a Glance is: 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; and Raising awareness of the importance of research. 34

The NRF Stakeholders The Federal Institutions UAEU Zayed University HCT CAA Accredited Institutions 73 heterogeneous Private universities & colleges 35

NRF Programs & Awards Research Excellence Centers, 2008 Four Centers from 18 submitted 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. 36

NRF s Main Criteria Assessment Research Proposals How important/significant is the research or scholarship described in this proposal? How novel/original is the work being proposed? What is the benefit & impact of this work on the field or other fields?

The challenges to building a National Innovation System in the UAE Lack of understanding of what are the requirements to build a competitive knowledge economy. Lack of an understanding of innovation and a national innovation system. Lack of research funding and research degree programs in the universities of the country. Little understanding of the importance of home-grown R&D for economic development.

The challenges to building a NIS in the UAE Little history of research collaboration between industry and universities Little understanding of the triple helix; industry, university and governments as R&D partners Over reliance by governments on consultants for policy advice Lack of experience in technology transfer & commercialization of IP developed within the country Little culture of entrepreneurship and risk taking with respect to IP commercialization

Why do Research Funding Agencies like NRF Exist? 1- Public goods argument; overcome underfunding of research where many returns are social, not private and come many years into future. 2- Key contributors to NIS; particularly with respect to knowledge production and knowledge application. 3- Research priorities can be identified; top down versus bottom up. 4- National interest versus self interest (provide a method to direct the research activities of university researchers) 5- Tangible & measureable contribution to the Knowledge Economy. 6- To emphasize that research funding is an investment.

Why competitive funding? Competitive Research spending is an investment: a. Competition delivers better returns a. Competition delivers more efficient a. Competition is more transparent and fairer

Domain NRF s 2009 Research & Scholarship Awards: Pre-proposal Submissions by Domain # Pre-proposal Submissions Agricultural Sciences 16 Biological Sciences 13 Business Management 57 Chemical Sciences 22 Computer and Information Science Engineering 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 88

NRF RSA Proposal and Award Process PHASE I PRE-PROPOSAL PREPARATION AND SUBMISSION 1. Call for EOIs; 758 EOIs received by NRF 2. Pre-proposal submission 3. Pre-proposals received; 653 pre-proposal submissions PHASE II PRE-PROPOSAL REVIEW AND PROCESSING 1. Panelists / Reviewers Selected; 61 Panelists / Reviewers selected 39 accepted 2. Panels assemble in Dubai to consider reviews; 39 Panelists / Reviewers meet in Dubai 3. Panels identify pre-proposals most likely to become competitive proposals; 179 pre-proposals identified 4. Rejection notifications to most PI s; Invitations to others issued; 179 invitations issued PHASE III FULL PROPOSAL PREPARATION & SUBMISSION 1. Full proposal submission 2. Full proposals received; 173 full proposals received PHASE IV FULL PROPOSAL REVIEW & PROCESSING 1. Panelists / Reviewers selected; 81 Panelists / Reviewers selected 54 accepted 2. Panelists / Reviewers provide written reviews of full proposals; 54 Panelists submitted reviews 3. NRF Senior Advisors create rank order by Panel; 62 proposals highly competitive, 38 competitive, 73 not competitive 4. Minister receives lists of competitive proposal for approval PHASE V AWARD PROCESSING 1. Budget evaluation of winning proposals 2. Award Finalized

Some R&D Funding Bodies in the Gulf Country Research Foundation Website Bahrain - - Kuwait Oman Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development (AFESD) Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED) www.kfas.com http://www.arabfund.org/ www.kuwait-fund.org Oman Scientific Research Council c/o Ministry of Higher Education http://www.mohe.gov.om The International Research Foundation (IRF), Sultanate of Oman www.irfoman.org Qatar Qatar Foundation www.qf.org.qa KSA Qatar National Research Fund King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), KSA http://www.qnrf.info/s2/index.php www.kacst.edu.sa 44

R&D Funding in the Gulf (Cont.) Country Research Foundation Website UAE National Research Foundation www.nrf.ae Mohamed Bin Rashind Al Maktoum Foundation Emirates Foundation The Arab Science and Technology Foundation (ASTF) The ICT fund of the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority www.mbrfoundation.ae/englishww.n rf.ae www.emiratesfoundation.ae www.astf.net www.tra.ae 45

Concluding Remarks & Policy implications

Reform UAE education systems to move away from rote learning to creative thinking pedagogy Help develop entrepreneurial spirit and risk taking behavior Develop national innovation systems by investing in knowledge production (increase competitive research funding for universities), knowledge application (expand university-industry research collaboration), and knowledge diffusion (expand venture capital and improve intellectual property protection)

Policy implications (Cont.) Diversify UAE economies coherently & in complementary ways Adjust UAE incentive systems to encourage nationals to participate in higher education and become knowledge workers Link their education systems much more closely to the workforce needs of the productive sectors, particularly knowledge-based sectors

UAE Up-lift Strategy 1. Create a National Innovation System: Increase investment in university research via competitive funding agencies such as NRF Create major collaborative research centers between industry and university researchers (using competitive processes) Create a system of intellectual property rights protection and commercialization Support entrepreneurial research & innovation endeavors Create a VC fund for commercialization of university created IP 49

UAE Up-lift Strategy (Cont.) 2. Embed a system of competitive grant allocation to support university research (fund NRF appropriately) Competition delivers better returns Competition delivers more efficient outcomes Competition is more transparent and fairer Competitive funding helps create a competitive knowledge economy 50

NRF Recent Program Announcement (6 Competitions) In November 2011, NRF announced the launch of the following six (6) research funding competitions to: help build research capacity in the country, reward research excellence & contribute to the National Innovation System. Four (4) of these funding competitions are open for UAE Citizens only. 1. Emirati Faculty Research Mobility Award; 2. Young Emirati Postgraduate Research Students Mobility Award; 3. Young Emirati Innovators Prize; 4. Young Emirati Researchers Prize 5. the University-Industry Research Collaboration Award 6. the Patent Filing Award

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