“ On the Issues and Problems of Scientific Research in the

Arab World”

“ On the Issues and Problems of Scientific Research in the

Arab World”Bibliotheca Alexandrina

Reporting Session15 November 2006

Rafik Nakhla

Bibliotheca AlexandrinaReporting Session15 November 2006

Rafik Nakhla

Building a Better FutureBuilding a Better Future

• The urgency to promote worldwide science and technology capacity

• Science, technology, and society• Expanding human resources• Creating world-class research institutions• Engaging the public and private sectors• Targeted funding of research and training

efforts• Inter Academy Council 2004

• The urgency to promote worldwide science and technology capacity

• Science, technology, and society• Expanding human resources• Creating world-class research institutions• Engaging the public and private sectors• Targeted funding of research and training

efforts• Inter Academy Council 2004

The urgency to promote worldwide science and technology capacity

The urgency to promote worldwide science and technology capacity

• The world is changing at a rapid pace, driven by science an technology

• Business-as-usual will leave an ever-growing gap between ‘have’ and ‘have-not’ nations

• Local S&T capacity is essential for using and contributing to the world’s valuable store of knowledge

• Universities have an essential role to play in building S&T capacities

• The culture and values of science are critical for building a global community

• Investments in science and technology are increasingly important for economic growth

• Building capacity in agriculture, engineering, health, and the social sciences is essential for national development

• Inter Academy Council 2004

• The world is changing at a rapid pace, driven by science an technology

• Business-as-usual will leave an ever-growing gap between ‘have’ and ‘have-not’ nations

• Local S&T capacity is essential for using and contributing to the world’s valuable store of knowledge

• Universities have an essential role to play in building S&T capacities

• The culture and values of science are critical for building a global community

• Investments in science and technology are increasingly important for economic growth

• Building capacity in agriculture, engineering, health, and the social sciences is essential for national development

• Inter Academy Council 2004

Scientific ResearchScientific ResearchWhat is Research?• Research is

– A pursuit for an answer driven by a specific question or idea– It requires a clear goal– It follows a specific course of action– It is realistic in its assumptions– It is performed by qualified personal

• Research is not– Just information gathering– Rearranging of facts– A sales pitch.

• Good Research is based on several pillars:– Vision– Strategy– Human Resources– Logistics

What is Research?• Research is

– A pursuit for an answer driven by a specific question or idea– It requires a clear goal– It follows a specific course of action– It is realistic in its assumptions– It is performed by qualified personal

• Research is not– Just information gathering– Rearranging of facts– A sales pitch.

• Good Research is based on several pillars:– Vision– Strategy– Human Resources– Logistics

ResearchResearch

• The priority of Research should be directed to solving problems of society rather than publishing.

• The priority of Research should be directed to solving problems of society rather than publishing.

Key wordsKey words

• Human Resources & Human Capital• Centers of excellence• Virtual centers• Mission Research• Involving society• Political will• Sustainable political support• Lobbying for science• S&T policies

• Human Resources & Human Capital• Centers of excellence• Virtual centers• Mission Research• Involving society• Political will• Sustainable political support• Lobbying for science• S&T policies

Problems of ResearchProblems of Research1. Absence of scientific research potentials.2. Absence of time required for the scientific research.3. Absence of funding organizations.4. Absence of societal benefits from scientific research.5. Absence of enough appreciation of research from

society.6. Absence of association between the scientific

research & the scientific problems.7. Absence of scientific libraries & scientific references8. Absence of international collaboration & experience

exchange. 9. Plagiarism10. Reward not based on merit for researchers regardless

of work

1. Absence of scientific research potentials.2. Absence of time required for the scientific research.3. Absence of funding organizations.4. Absence of societal benefits from scientific research.5. Absence of enough appreciation of research from

society.6. Absence of association between the scientific

research & the scientific problems.7. Absence of scientific libraries & scientific references8. Absence of international collaboration & experience

exchange. 9. Plagiarism10. Reward not based on merit for researchers regardless

of work

The State of Arab WorldThe State of Arab World

• Rising needs of the educational & scientific institutes

• Untapped Accumulated knowledge in science and technology

• NO use is made from what civilizations have produced

• Development will not be sustained without making use of available technological

• Sluggish transformation in the arab world• Huge gap between Arab World and

developed world

• Rising needs of the educational & scientific institutes

• Untapped Accumulated knowledge in science and technology

• NO use is made from what civilizations have produced

• Development will not be sustained without making use of available technological

• Sluggish transformation in the arab world• Huge gap between Arab World and

developed world

Obstacles for Research in Arab WorldObstacles for Research in Arab World

1. Industry:• Turn key approach

2. Government- Political• Absence of will

3. Research Entity – Academic• Fragmented, uncoordinated

4. Education: • kids are trained to be workers not researchers

5. Economic:• Shortage of fund acquisition

6. Administrative:• Management of scientific research, • policies

7. Social:• Society not oriented to science

1. Industry:• Turn key approach

2. Government- Political• Absence of will

3. Research Entity – Academic• Fragmented, uncoordinated

4. Education: • kids are trained to be workers not researchers

5. Economic:• Shortage of fund acquisition

6. Administrative:• Management of scientific research, • policies

7. Social:• Society not oriented to science

QuestionsQuestions

• Are scientists doing the right job in approaching the society?

• Are they creating a positive image with the society?

• Are scientists doing the right job in approaching the society?

• Are they creating a positive image with the society?

• We need:

• Capacity buildings not technology transfer

• Motivate people to invest in R&D

• Create a data base for researcher collaboration

• Better marketing policy for universities

• We need:

• Capacity buildings not technology transfer

• Motivate people to invest in R&D

• Create a data base for researcher collaboration

• Better marketing policy for universities

Problems in EducationProblems in Education

1. Education became competition

2. Memorization not understanding

3. Addiction to play stations

4. Students are used to short working hours

5. Students are used to short spans of concentration

1. Education became competition

2. Memorization not understanding

3. Addiction to play stations

4. Students are used to short working hours

5. Students are used to short spans of concentration

LearningLearning

Advancement of learning is based on:

1. Discovery

2. Integration

3. Application

4. Teaching

Advancement of learning is based on:

1. Discovery

2. Integration

3. Application

4. Teaching

ImperativesImperatives

• There is nothing that can be done without human resources.

• Quality is doing what we want to do in the future.

• There must be a lobby for science, there must be local, national, international policies, there must be implementation and follow-up.

• There must be positive attitude.

• There is nothing that can be done without human resources.

• Quality is doing what we want to do in the future.

• There must be a lobby for science, there must be local, national, international policies, there must be implementation and follow-up.

• There must be positive attitude.

• India

• China

• Korea

• Finland

• Europe

• RAE in UK

• India

• China

• Korea

• Finland

• Europe

• RAE in UK

Successful ModelsSuccessful Models

Successful ModelsSuccessful ModelsChina & India• Courageous political will to create a two tier

approach to development • Creation of networked centers of excellence• Formulation of national priorities that place a

premium on human resource development • Building research capability by offering to

out source industrial research – Nokia product design in India – Motorola research in China – Boeing R&D in India

• Leveraging off shoring to enhance local R&D capability

China & India• Courageous political will to create a two tier

approach to development • Creation of networked centers of excellence• Formulation of national priorities that place a

premium on human resource development • Building research capability by offering to

out source industrial research – Nokia product design in India – Motorola research in China – Boeing R&D in India

• Leveraging off shoring to enhance local R&D capability

Interrelationship between educational and economic development

Interrelationship between educational and economic development

Phase of education and training

Phase of manpower supply

Phase of economic development

1945 1945 1950 1950 1960 1960 1970 19701945 1945 1950 1950 1960 1960 1970 1970

Literate and manually skilled work force

Semi-skilledwork force

Skilledwork force

Knowledgework force

Agriculture

TRADITIONAL INDUSTRY

Capital intensive heavy and chemicalindustries

High technology/ knowledge intensive industries

IT,BT,CT,ET,NTServicese business

INDUSTRIALIZATION POST INDUSTRIALIZATION

AdultAdultliteracyliteracy

campaigncampaign

AdultAdultliteracyliteracy

campaigncampaign

UniversalUniversalprimaryprimary

educationeducation

UniversalUniversalprimaryprimary

educationeducation

UniversalUniversalSecondarySecondaryeducationeducation

UniversalUniversalSecondarySecondaryeducationeducation

MassMasshigherhigher

educationeducation

MassMasshigherhigher

educationeducation“Can Do” spirit

SaemaulSaemaulUndongUndongSaemaulSaemaulUndongUndong

Labor intensive industries

Source: Kwak 2003

FinlandFinland

• Exports of Finnish high tech products totalled 0.9 billion euros in 2001

• 21 % of total exports of goods

• Exports of Finnish high tech products totalled 0.9 billion euros in 2001

• 21 % of total exports of goods

The European revivalThe European revival

• Acceptance of the value of new research models that stress partnerships, alliance and networks

• Networking resources and focusing them in thematic ways

• Working together on a common concern, strengthening each other’s research and communications capacity

• Increasing investment in RDT so as to approach 3% of GDP by the end of the decade (of which two thirds should be from the private sector).

• Acceptance of the value of new research models that stress partnerships, alliance and networks

• Networking resources and focusing them in thematic ways

• Working together on a common concern, strengthening each other’s research and communications capacity

• Increasing investment in RDT so as to approach 3% of GDP by the end of the decade (of which two thirds should be from the private sector).

The European revivalThe European revival

• FP7 (2007-2013) Based on nine themes– Health – Food, agriculture and biotechnology – Information and communication technologies – Nanosciences and nanotechnologies, materials

and new production technologies – Energy – Environment (including climate change) – Transport (including aeronautics) – Socio-economic sciences and the humanities – Security and Space

• Emphasis on cross-thematic research

• FP7 (2007-2013) Based on nine themes– Health – Food, agriculture and biotechnology – Information and communication technologies – Nanosciences and nanotechnologies, materials

and new production technologies – Energy – Environment (including climate change) – Transport (including aeronautics) – Socio-economic sciences and the humanities – Security and Space

• Emphasis on cross-thematic research

RAERAE

• The Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) is a periodic national exercise which assesses the quality of research.

• The information used for the selective distribution of public funds for research by the Institutes of Higher Education funding bodies.

• 1986, 1989, 1992, 1996, 2001, 2008

• The Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) is a periodic national exercise which assesses the quality of research.

• The information used for the selective distribution of public funds for research by the Institutes of Higher Education funding bodies.

• 1986, 1989, 1992, 1996, 2001, 2008

The Way Forward for the Arab WorldThe Way Forward for the Arab World

• Improving incentives for technology generation, access, and use

• Pooling scientific resources• Formulating a region wide science agenda • Creating centers of excellence (Including Virtual) • Building multidisciplinary networks • Focus on Quality rather than Quantity• Transmitters and receptors (Basic research /Adaptive

research)• Efficient use of funds• Marketing science & scientific discoveries

• Improving incentives for technology generation, access, and use

• Pooling scientific resources• Formulating a region wide science agenda • Creating centers of excellence (Including Virtual) • Building multidisciplinary networks • Focus on Quality rather than Quantity• Transmitters and receptors (Basic research /Adaptive

research)• Efficient use of funds• Marketing science & scientific discoveries

The Way Forward for the Arab WorldThe Way Forward for the Arab World

• Building a top quality & Sustainable research critical mass

• Creating an enabling research environment• Improving the educational system to

engender– Initiative taking/ creativity– Team working– Integrity and Pride– Critical thinking

• Building a top quality & Sustainable research critical mass

• Creating an enabling research environment• Improving the educational system to

engender– Initiative taking/ creativity– Team working– Integrity and Pride– Critical thinking

Arabs are capable of advancing through:

• Real institutions that use real talents

• Political system

• Plan S&T correctly

Arabs are capable of advancing through:

• Real institutions that use real talents

• Political system

• Plan S&T correctly

An Important QuestionAn Important Question

• In the absence of decision makers how can we achieve what we aspire to?

• In the absence of decision makers how can we achieve what we aspire to?

The road aheadThe road ahead

• Two tracks:– Short term:

• Product oriented research• Creation of institutes• Responding to the immediate needs of society• Centers of excellence

– Long term• Establishing vision• Establishing strategic plan• Mission research

• Two tracks:– Short term:

• Product oriented research• Creation of institutes• Responding to the immediate needs of society• Centers of excellence

– Long term• Establishing vision• Establishing strategic plan• Mission research

A Product Based Research Project

A Product Based Research Project

• Drug research based on Natural Flora Screening

• In Vitro assessment of bioactivity using new methods based on cell cultures

• Drug research based on Natural Flora Screening

• In Vitro assessment of bioactivity using new methods based on cell cultures

Centers of ExcellenceCenters of Excellence

– Dedicated Brain-Power Centers– Thematic with several programs– Strong Leadership– Unique competences - State of the art

instrumentations– Central Facilities (National/Arab-wide)– Strong International collaborations– Have commercialization strategies (SME,

incubators, etc.)– Human resource development and training

– Dedicated Brain-Power Centers– Thematic with several programs– Strong Leadership– Unique competences - State of the art

instrumentations– Central Facilities (National/Arab-wide)– Strong International collaborations– Have commercialization strategies (SME,

incubators, etc.)– Human resource development and training

On the Issues and Problems of Scientific Research in the Arab World, Alex 14-15, 2006

Center of ExcellencesCenter of Excellences

• The Indian Experience IITs

• Bilkent University (Ankara)

• KOC University (Istanbul).

• Central Metal R&D Institute (Helwan)

• AGERI, ARC (Giza)

• Marmara Research Center (Istanbul)• European institute of technology EIT

(2008-2013 budget of up to 2.4 billion euros)

• The Indian Experience IITs

• Bilkent University (Ankara)

• KOC University (Istanbul).

• Central Metal R&D Institute (Helwan)

• AGERI, ARC (Giza)

• Marmara Research Center (Istanbul)• European institute of technology EIT

(2008-2013 budget of up to 2.4 billion euros)

Virtual Centers of ExcellenceVirtual Centers of Excellence

• Quick and fast establishment

• Dynamic

• Sharing resources

• Defined programs

• Geographically concentrated

• Strongly networked

• Quick and fast establishment

• Dynamic

• Sharing resources

• Defined programs

• Geographically concentrated

• Strongly networked

World Production of InformationWorld Production of Information

• Nearly 900,000 titles are published yearly

• 73.6% published in developed countries

• In relation to population it is 10:1 in industrialized vs. developing countries

• Nearly 900,000 titles are published yearly

• 73.6% published in developed countries

• In relation to population it is 10:1 in industrialized vs. developing countries

• Pooling and preserving the evidence of research through a deliberate process.

• Adding value through services that enable the discovery and use of resources within and across disciplines.

• Pooling and preserving the evidence of research through a deliberate process.

• Adding value through services that enable the discovery and use of resources within and across disciplines.

Responsibilities of the Research Library

Responsibilities of the Research Library

The Publishing DilemmaThe Publishing Dilemma

• The availability of recognized scientific magazines is important.– Created in 1993: Gulf Arabian Scientific

Journal is an example

• Another dilemma: Publish or patent?

• The availability of recognized scientific magazines is important.– Created in 1993: Gulf Arabian Scientific

Journal is an example

• Another dilemma: Publish or patent?

FinanceFinance

Financing is Necessary but not Sufficient• Suggested Sources:

– Current budgets for educational scholarships– Budgets of existing research centers– Research budgets of various industrial &

government organizations in the region– Imposed R&D allocation on Industry (%)– Allocation & commitment from government– Foreign research foundations– Private endowments

Financing is Necessary but not Sufficient• Suggested Sources:

– Current budgets for educational scholarships– Budgets of existing research centers– Research budgets of various industrial &

government organizations in the region– Imposed R&D allocation on Industry (%)– Allocation & commitment from government– Foreign research foundations– Private endowments

• Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research

• Kuwait Foundation for Advancement of Science

• Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research

• Kuwait Foundation for Advancement of Science

Support InstituteSupport Institute

Support InstituteSupport Institute

• Kuwait Foundation for Advancement of Science • A private Organization created to support

research and technology“To Support scientific advancement that helps build society to be able to cope with scientific innovation”– It receives 1% of profit from 1000 Kuwaiti

corporations– Supported 630 research projects– Provided 71 Million US $– Issued 207 publications– Translates “Scientific American”

• Kuwait Foundation for Advancement of Science • A private Organization created to support

research and technology“To Support scientific advancement that helps build society to be able to cope with scientific innovation”– It receives 1% of profit from 1000 Kuwaiti

corporations– Supported 630 research projects– Provided 71 Million US $– Issued 207 publications– Translates “Scientific American”

The 7 (5) RecommendationsThe 7 (5) Recommendations

1. Establish National Research Foundations2. Promote Mission Research and abandon

the notion of doing everything3. Establish a QUALIFIED think-tank team to

steer societies toward national interests4. Revolutionize the education system to meet

national interests5. Establish an effective technology transfer

system6. Sustainable political will to support

research & innovation7. Effective research management

1. Establish National Research Foundations2. Promote Mission Research and abandon

the notion of doing everything3. Establish a QUALIFIED think-tank team to

steer societies toward national interests4. Revolutionize the education system to meet

national interests5. Establish an effective technology transfer

system6. Sustainable political will to support

research & innovation7. Effective research management

• Link science to the Society

• Focusing on other fields of science

• Acquiring management of technology and science competences

• Link science to the Society

• Focusing on other fields of science

• Acquiring management of technology and science competences

RecommendationsRecommendations

RecommendationsRecommendations

• Developing Human resources and Infrastructure• Improving the administrative and economic

frameworks• Increasing funds• Improving education, training and evaluation• Create an environment that encourages R&D• Unifying and tying research to national needs• Improving information and communication• Introducing a mechanism to link research to the

industrial sector

• Developing Human resources and Infrastructure• Improving the administrative and economic

frameworks• Increasing funds• Improving education, training and evaluation• Create an environment that encourages R&D• Unifying and tying research to national needs• Improving information and communication• Introducing a mechanism to link research to the

industrial sector

• The creation of an Arab Science & Research Forum hosted by BA

• The creation of an Arab Research Fund

• The creation of an Arab Science & Research Forum hosted by BA

• The creation of an Arab Research Fund

RecommendationsRecommendations

Thank YouThank You