Arab Knowledge Report 2014Youth and Localisation of Knowledge
United Arab Emirates
Empowered lives.Resilient nations.
Arab Knowledge Report 2014Youth and Localisation of KnowledgeUnited Arab Emirates
Empowered lives.Resilient nations.
Empowered lives.Resilient nations.
This Report has been produced through joint sponsorship and support of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation (MBRF) and The United Nations
Development Programme / Regional Bureau for Arab States (UNDP/RBAS)
Printed at Al Ghurair Printing and Publishing, Dubai – United Arab Emirates
on Chlorine – Free paper and using plant-based ink manufactured according to environmentally-friendly technologies.
Cover Design:
Layout and Production: Al Ghurair Printing and Publishing – Dubai
Printed in Dubai - United Arab Emirates
of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation or the United Nations Development
an independent team of authors jointly sponsored by the Regional Bureau for Arab States at UNDP, and the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation.
shall take precedence.
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key pillars of a nation’s development and advancement, and critical to the society’s
the change of relationships in the developed societies and perceptions about of the
have contributed to enhanced standards of
helped speed up development and industrial
plays a major role in sustaining economic
By projecting the mobilisation of global
gap in the level of education and curricula and the volume of investments in education and research. Distinctions are evident in terms of the number of patents, and the volume of community participation, as
societies to productive societies. Together, these issues form an integrated system for
school and university curricula, promoting
universities, and supporting researchers in specialised centres. We need a comprehensive vision based on a series of factors such as:
freedom of thought, promotion of creativity
translations into Arabic, experiments, methodical research, exchange of expertise,
of the situation to help those in charge to evaluate performance and implement
societies capable of facing challenges, and contributing to comprehensive and sustainable development. The third Report focuses on the importance of integrating youth in the transfer and localisation
political and environmental dimensions.
There is no doubt that the United Arab Emirates has made great progress in the development of dissemination and
of initiatives, programs and projects. These together have helped the country overcome
ensure the sustainability of development and prosperity.
Foreword
Chairman of the BoardMohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation
Arab World’s Transition to Knowledge Society
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threats and strategies in the successful integration of the Emirati youth in the
on the national level, this UAE version
the effectiveness of the youth and their
sustainable human development.
We present before you the “Third Arab
present a clear and comprehensive picture
exploit them, and identify the areas that need further development. We believe
for decision makers, providing them an
Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al MaktoumChairman of the Board
Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation
E
The publication of this special report on
partnership and the shared vision that brings together the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation and the Regional Bureau for Arab States at the UNDP in
Report 2014.
This report presents a comprehensive
its capabilities and cognitive effectiveness,
environments. Similar to the previous
characterised by studies and surveys
in all public universities in the country. The report also highlights the opinions of young people and various stakeholders on the status of the youth today and the
the report. As such, the report has become,
opinions are expressed and solutions proposed, and it explores several aspects
course of avoiding obstacles or capitalising on achievements.
The UAE has had remarkable achievement in development, and in record time. Since
the beginning, building and enabling the UAE citizen have been among the adopted
UAE represents one of the most important manifestations of these trends and policies.
and mechanisms proposed are not only applicable, but also enjoy the availability of most, if not all, conditions for their success. The UAE enjoys a developed information infrastructure and a strong
society and actively engaging the youth in this central development process.
in this great endeavour, including experts,
the UNDP and Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation teams. My thanks also go to the UAE youth and everyone
main material for this report.
respect, appreciation and thanks to H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum for his sponsorship and continuous support for the initiatives to
in the UAE, but also in the Arab region
Preamble
Regional DirectorRegional Bureau for Arab States, United Nations Development Programme
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the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation and our dedication to develop it further, to achieve our common vision
sustainable development for the people in the Arab region and beyond.
Sima Bahous Assistant Secretary General
Regional Director - The Regional Bureau for Arab StatesUnited Nations Development Programme
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Readers GroupSoliman Al-Jassim, Ali Said Al-Kaabi, Kaltham Al-Majid, Mona Juma Al-Bahr.
Core Team
(Researcher).
Najoua Fezzaa Ghriss.
Report Director/CoordinatorGhaith Hamdi Fariz (UNDP)
Authors of Background Papers
Abderrahim Al-Maslouhi, Kamal Abdellatif,
Questionnaire Design/Tools and Statistical Analysis
Najoua Fezzaa Ghriss (Questionnaire Design
Hany Torky (Statistical Analysis)Faculty of Commerce - Alexandria University (Data Entry)
Implementation of Field SurveysReport team and the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation (MBRF) in collaboration
Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation (MBRF)
Faisal Bujesaim (Executive Director), Saif Al-Mansoori (Corporate Affairs Advisor – MD
Harry.
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)Sima Bahous (Assistant Secretary General, Regional Director - The Regional Bureau for Arab States), Adel Abdellatif (Chief, Regional Programmes Division, RBAS), Ghaith Hamdi Fariz (Report Director and Coordinator), Tala Khanji, Dima Al-Khatib, Sara Bittar, Stephanie Boustany, Saif Pederson, Tarek Khairallah,
Beris. Administrative operations: Regional Programme Support Unit
EditorsArabic: Fayiz SuyyaghEnglish: Christina Curran
TranslationGMTranslations.me
Cover Design
Report Team
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Contents
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CONTENTS
CHAPTER 1: Preamble
General MethodologyAnalytical Studies Field Study
Structure of the Report
CHAPTER 2: The Knowledge Status and Challenges of Localisation in the UAE
The Educational Challenge-The Status and Challenges of University Education
The Human Resources ChallengeThe Economic Challenge
CHAPTER 3: The Enabling Environments and the Transfer and Localisation of Knowledge in the UAE
The Educational EnvironmentHigher Education in the UAE
-Study-abroad Scholarship Programmes-Foreign Universities in the UAE
Research and Development EnvironmentThe Economic Environment
J Arab Knowledge Report 2014: Youth and Localisation of Knowledge
E-CommerceThe Social Environment
The Social Dimensions of ProgressThe Challenges of Language and CitizenshipThe Political EnvironmentThe Demographic Environment
Cultural EnvironmentTechnological Environment
Supporting the Legislative and Regulatory Structure in Technology
E-Government
Conclusion
CHAPTER 4: Results of the Field Study
Study and Field SurveysDescription of the Representative Sample
Overall Result on Cognitive SkillsDetailed Results
-Problem-Solving Skills-Written Communication Skill in Arabic
-Skill of Using Technology-Skill of Using Foreign Language (English Language)
Values
Citizenship and BelongingOpenness and Global CommunicationAnalysis of the Results According to Gender
EnvironmentsEnabling Environments in the UAE
Criticism of the Successive Educational Plans
Activating the Role of the Private Sector Outcomes of the UAE Workshop
Clear Perceptions on the Subject of the Transfer, Localisation and Employment of
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and Hesitation in Practice
Enabling and Motivating EnvironmentsResearch Enabling EnvironmentThe Weak Role of Civil Society
Conclusion
CHAPTER 5: Strategies for Motivating the Emirati Youth To Effectively Participate in the Transfer and Localisation of Knowledge
Facing ChallengesFacing the Educational Challenge
Facing the Challenge of Research and DevelopmentFacing the Human Resources ChallengeFacing the Challenge of Economic Structure
References and Background Papers:
Statistical Annex
Table A1: Population Distribution in the UAE According to Age Group (Mid-2010 Estimates)
Table A2: Distribution of the National Population per Emirate (Mid 2010 Estimates)Table A3:
Countries (2012)Table A4:
Gender and SectorTable Table A6:Table A7: Vocational Education Enrolment in the UAE, the Arab Region and the
World (2012)Table A8: Number of Students in Higher and University Education (private and Public)
Table A9: Number of University and Higher Education Graduates (Public and Private)
– 2011/2 012)
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Table A10: Number of Scholarship Students in Higher Education and University According
Table A11: Table A12:Table A13: Table A14:
Arab Countries (2012)
Table A16: Table A17: Table A18:
(2012)Table A19: Table A20:
List of Boxes
Box 1.1: Box 1.2:
Box 1.3:Box 2.1:Box 3.1:Box 3.2: The National Research FoundationBox 3.3:Box 3.4: The UAE Vision 2021
UAE: The E-Commerce HubBox 3.6: The Community Development Authority: An Example on Social Work
Box 3.7: Models of Leading Media Organisations in the UAEBox 3.8: Dubai Museum of Contemporary Art (DMOCA): A Valuable Cultural LandmarkBox 3.9: The Strategy of the Ministry of CultureBox 3.10:Box 3.11: E-Government in the UAEBox 3.12:Box 3.13:
Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum FoundationBox 3.14:Box 4.1:Box 4.2:
of Their Abilities and Able to Work in the World of the Future Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation
List of Figures
Figure 1.1:Enabling System
Figure 2.1Figure 2.2: Figure 2.3: Figure 2.4:
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(2000-2012)Figure 2.6: Figure 2.7:Figure 2.8: Figure 2.9: Figure 2.10: Figure 2.11: Figure 4.1: Field StudiesFigure 4.2: Results for Students' Cognitive SkillsFigure 4.3: Comparison of Student Scores on EffectivenessFigure 4.4: Student Access of Translated Books Related to Their Disciplines (%)
Research and Presentations in University (%)Figure 4.6:
Figure 4.7:
Global Education Trends
List of Tables
Table 2.1: Table 2.2:Table 2.3:Table 2.4: Table 3.1: The Number of Students in Higher Education and University in the UAE
Table 3.2: Enrolment in Higher Education and University by Subject and Gender for
Table 3.3: Distribution of Emirati Students, Holders of the Secondary School Diploma,
Table 3.4:
Table 3.6: The Contribution of Oil and Non-Oil Sectors to the UAE GDP in Fixed
Table 3.7: Table 3.8: Age Distribution of the Emirati Citizen Population (Estimates of Mid 2010)Table 3.9: Distribution of the UAE Population (2010)Table 3.10: UAE Citizen Residents According to Age and Gender (2010 Estimates)Table 3.11:
(2012)Table 4.1: Composition of the Representative Sample by GenderTable 4.2: Composition of the Representative Sample According to University, Branch
and GenderTable 4.3: Overall Result on the Cognitive Skills CombinedTable 4.4: Problem-Solving Skills
Written Communication Skill in Arabic
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Table 4.6: Table 4.7: Skill of Using TechnologyTable 4.8: Skill of Using Foreign Language (English Language)Table 4.9: ValuesTable 4.10: Student Scores in EffectivenessTable 4.11: Citizenship and BelongingTable 4.12: Openness and Global CommunicationTable 4.13: Students’ Opinions on the Effectiveness of Their University’s Enabling
Table 4.14:
Table 4.16: Students’ Opinions on the Processes of Transfer and Localisation of
Table 4.17:
Table 4.18: Students’ Opinions on the Status of Freedoms and Rights
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