Smart thinking puts UAE in top 20 of Global Knowledge Index
▶ UAE is the first Arab country in world top 20 list, and more emphasis on environment could put it in the top 10
The UAE has become the first Arab country to gain entry to the top 20 of an index measuring global knowledge.
The country’s focus on the technology and education sectors has been pivotal to the “exceptional performance”, as the country moved up from 25th place in last year’s Global Knowledge ranking to its highest rating of 19th, said experts.
With more work done on environmental issues, the country has been tipped to break into the top 10. The Emirates ranked 46th in the environmental category last year, edging up to 41st this year.
The Global Knowledge Index was created by the United Nations Development Programme and measures the performance of 134 countries.
Switzerland topped the list, followed by Finland, Sweden, the US and Luxembourg.
The improvement has been rated as significant by Hany Torky, chief technical advisor at the United Nations Development Programme’s Arab Knowledge Project.
He said the UAE would need to further reduce its reliance on oil to improve its ranking.
The index measures performance in areas such as enrollment rates, graduation numbers, dropout figures, unemployment, life expectancy, literacy and regulation.
In research, development and innovation, the UAE ranked 37th last year and is 36th today. In pre-university education, it ranked 16th last year, but has risen to 13th. In technical or vocational education, the Emirates rose from 24th to 14th.
“The improvement shows they have very fast development and an efficient strategy for education,” said Mr Torky.
The UAE jumped six places to 19th position in the past year on an international index measuring global knowledge.
The increase highlights an “exceptional performance” in 12 months, leaders said.
They attributed the rapid rise to the country’s continuing focus on developing its technology and education sectors.
A greater emphasis on environmental issues across the region could even push the UAE into the top 10 places globally, experts said.
The country ranked 46th in the environmental category last year and was 41st this year.
“It’s very difficult for any country to jump even one or two places but the UAE has improved across the indices,” said Hany Torky, chief technical adviser at the UN Development Programme’s Arab Knowledge Project.
“All oil-based countries have a low rank in environment because of carbon dioxide emissions. The UAE has to work a lot on this. If it does, it may go up into the top 10.”
The Global Knowledge Index was created by the UN programme and measures the performance of 134 countries.
It was launched last year with the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation and ranks knowledge based on higher education, pre-university education, technical and vocational training, information technology, scientific research and innovation, and economics and the environment.
The specific types of variables it measures include enrolment rates, graduations, dropout figures, unemployment, life expectancy and literacy.
The results of this year’s index were announced at a summit in Dubai organised by the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation.
At the two-day event experts from a wide variety of sectors came together to debate future development strategies.
Switzerland topped the list this year, followed by Finland, Sweden, the US and Luxembourg. The UAE is the first Arab country to break into the world top 20.
“The UAE’s move up the rankings from 25 to 19 is an exceptional performance,” said Jamal bin Huwaireb, chief executive of the foundation, an educational fund set up in 2007.
“The country’s strategy has been to focus on developing education and its infrastructure and this was reflected in the results.
“The nations that remain ahead [in the list] are European or Asian states that have long histories in the field of knowledge.”
In research, development and innovation indices, the UAE ranked 37th last year and is 36th today.
In pre-university education, the country ranked 16th last year but this year rose three places to 13th.
Similarly, in technical or vocational education, the Emirates also improved. It was ranked 24th last year but is now 14th.
“The improvement shows they have very fast development and an efficient strategy for education,” Mr Torky said.
“The UAE has to look to the future and think of future strategies.
“They also have to focus on the youth because youth are very important in a knowledge economy. This is a positive power for society, but can also become a negative power.”
Mr Torky recommended that the Emirates also concentrated on developing problem solving and communication skills among its young people.
“To improve further, the UAE has to focus on blockchain, artificial intelligence, cyber security and biotechnology.”
The UAE’s move up the rankings from 25 to 19 is an exceptional performance JAMAL BIN HUWAIREB Chief executive of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation