UAE tops Arab countries in Global Knowledge Index

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

The Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation (MBRF) has announced the results of the Global Knowledge Index (GKI) 2022 on the sidelines of the Youth Knowledge Forum - which was held under the patronage and in the presence of Her Highness Sheikha Latifa Bint Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) and Member of the Dubai Council, in cooperation with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

The Index covered 132 countries, which includes 11 Arab nations and 155 variables. The UAE ranked first in the Arab World and 25th internationally, with an average score of 58.9 in the index, compared to the global average of 46.5. The UAE was followed by Qatar, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Oman, among the Arab countries.

Furthermore, the UAE was ranked first globally in 18 indicators and sub-indicators and was among the top ten in 54 indicators and sub-indicators. As per the index, the UAE has secured the first rank in the knowledge indicator, 11th in the economy indicator, 15th in the information and communications technology (ICT) indicator, twenty ninth in the innovation and R&D, and 30th, 44th and 46th in pre-university education, higher education and enabling environment, respectively. 

The GKI includes seven compound sub-indicators that cover the performance of six key knowledge sectors, which include pre-university education, technical education and vocational training, higher education, ICT, innovation and R&D, and economy, along with the environment sub-indicator, which mainly focuses on the social, political, economic, health and environmental contexts of these sectors. 

The Index underscores the strengths and limitations of the countries it covers, by focusing on the link between knowledge and development and their roles in keeping pace with continued developments globally.

GKI, which is the only index in the world that measures knowledge in countries, is a significant contributor to the global knowledge system in terms of building development indicators. It provides valuable and trustworthy information to help the countries and decision-makers in gaining better knowledge about the variables and real challenges and possible ways to address them and to forecast their future and enablers.

Jamal Bin Huwaireb, CEO of MBRF, underscored the significant role of GKI in developing solutions to address the challenges faced by the world, particularly the Arab countries that struggle with a lack of information and up-to-date data.

Further, Bin Huwaireb said: “With its relentless efforts, the UAE continues to improve its pioneering position as a leading hub for advanced technologies in the region, following the vision of the country’s wise leadership to lay the foundation for a knowledge-based community.

MBRF plays a significant role in identifying knowledge and development landscapes through its partnership with UNDP, while GKI acts as a tool to explore and highlight the challenges and areas for development, thus catering for the sustainable development of communities.”