24 Nov 2006
Al Ain: Scientists are worried about the lack of investment in the Arab world's knowledge economy, saying the region has been lagging behind with disappointing performance in the non-fuel sector.
Focus on modern knowledge-based economy is critical and Arab countries must start producing technology to reduce their dependence on the foreign sources for future development and economic progress, said Dr Mohammad Baka, Adviser to Shaikh Diab Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Authority.
Similar views were shared by a panel of experts that was formed to review the situation and make recommendation at the recently concluded Innovations'06 conference in Dubai.
The panel included Peter Freeman, Assistant Director of the US National Science Foundation, Jay Mitra, Director of the Centre for Entrepreneurship Research at the University of Essex, and Dr Mohammad Baka.
Dr Rafic Makki, Dean of the College of Information Technology at the UAE University, the organiser of the Innovations'06, said the present situation in the Arab world is seriously viewed at the highest level in the UAE.
He quoted Shaikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, as saying: "There is no doubt that future of our country is rooted in the building of a knowledge society where education, research, innovation, and modern technology are important."
Gulf News 2006. All rights reserved.
