STEM Takes Centre Stage As Perceptions Change

Science plays an integral part in every aspect of daily life. Now, it is becoming a beacon of hope. With increased awareness of the importance of science, more people and organizations see it as a tool to build a better and equitable future.

Forbes Middle East hosted a 3M State of Science Index 2021 virtual roundtable in September, ahead of the release of the annual State of Science Index—a third-party, independent research study commissioned by 3M.

The conversation opened with an introductory speech by Laszlo Svinger, regional Vice-President and Managing Director for 3M

Middle East and Africa, who shared a glimpse of how the COVID-19 pandemic has reshaped life and key insights from the survey. The study explores global attitudes towards science and delves into how people think and feel about the field and its impact on the world. “Of all the arenas in life that COVID has upended, science is perhaps the field that has been transformed the most,” shared Svinger. “The pandemic has created an entirely new research environment, one that is now structured for collaboration and communication above all else.”

H.E. Dr. Amin Hussain Al Ameeri, Assistant Undersecretary of the Health Regulation Sector at the Ministry of Health, delivered a special address discussing the U.A.E.’s experience of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) in healthcare.

This was followed by an in-depth panel discussion by science and technology leaders on the importance of STEM education, how the field is perceived, and how perception has changed.

The speakers were: Camila Cruz Durlacher, Vice President of EMEA R&D Operations at 3M; Jad Bitar, Managing Director and Senior Partner at Boston Consulting Group; Dr. Patrick Noack, Executive Director of Future, Foresight and Imagination at the Dubai Future Foundation; and Ihsan Anabtawi, COO and CMO of Microsoft Gulf. The roundtable was moderated by Cara Nazari, Managing Director of AmCham Dubai.

The leadership of the U.A.E. understood decades ago that technological changes would only increase, creating a vastly different world to the one they grew up in. The country has prioritized investment into STEM and is now reaping the rewards. “The stance for science, technology, engineering and mathematics is very important. The U.A.E. has been looking into the topic and how it can benefit the country for many years. Something that was set in place by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan to prepare future generations for a new era,” said H.E. Dr. Al Ameeri.

Science and healthcare

Science has been in the spotlight since the onset of the pandemic, and this has caused a significant shift in perception towards the field. The State of Science Index found that trust in science is at an all-time high in the U.A.E., with 90% of respondents stating they trust science today.

“People are more aware of science and more openly discussing it. They are consuming scienceprovided data, looking for trusted information through reading, listening or watching,” explained Durlacher. Increased awareness and knowledge of science have resulted in people realizing the vast opportunities this field presents.

The Industrial Revolution 4.0 is rooted in science, affecting all industries from healthcare to agriculture. Science and technology have been critical components in all aspects of the societal ecosystem during the pandemic. Bitar explained: “The ability to detect a new form of virus played a critical role in implementing precautionary measures. The next step was to decode the virus and develop a vaccine and treatment, all driven by science.”

Gathering data helped governments with scenario planning for the best course of action, the effect on the economy and society, and identifying what needs to be communicated to the public. Technology was key to creating awareness. Now, it is helping ensure the safety of U.A.E. citizens by enabling them to track test results, vaccination status, and scheduling remote medical consultations. Hospitals and clinics are placing a more considerable emphasis on telemedicine, with Omnia Health forecasting this market to grow from $73.5 million in 2020 to $280.7 million by 2025.

Women in science

Society in the Middle East is becoming more inclusive and understanding of the importance of diversity. According to the State of Science Index report, 82% of respondents agreed that it is essential to increase diversity in STEM. The U.A.E. is becoming a change agent by encouraging women to pursue roles previously dominated by men in the region. “I think it’s great that the U.A.E. now has a female astronaut and female pilots. STEM is truly a place where women will have a home in the U.A.E.,” added Nazari.

Developing STEM

Investments in science and technology continue to grow, whether that be through infrastructure enhancement or research and development. The U.A.E. has invested millions of dollars into its space program, while firms like Microsoft are taking a more diverse perspective. “We have an industry approach to the R&D we do. We channel our R&D and resources towards the areas the world needs most like innovation in healthcare,” explained Anabtawi.

There is a regional drive encouraging people to become involved in STEM. Many of the programs are being gamified to make them more appealing for children. Game developers are designing games that help to build abilities in critical thinking, problemsolving, and creativity—all important skills in the tech field.

Addressing the problems in science and technology

Technological advances will bring more positive changes in the future. However, many things still need to change or can be improved upon. Diversity in the developmental phases of technology will help ensure it is more accessible to everyone. “One of the ways to avoid unknowingly developing bias tech is to ensure there’s the right kind of diversity in the developers of these technologies,” said Dr. Noack.

The pandemic sparked global collaboration, which led to numerous game changer solutions. Maintaining an open dialogue between countries and continuing to share knowledge will drive further breakthroughs.