Overview

WASD 15th International Annual Conference

Under the Patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Khalifa Bin Salman Al-Khalifa
The Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain

برعاية كريمة من لدن صاحب السمو الملكي الأمير خليفة بن سلمان آل خليفة رئيس الوزراء حفظه الله ورعاه

Digital revolution, smart cities and performance improvement towards a sustainable knowledge-based inclusive development

16-18 May 2017, Sheraton Bahrain Hotel, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain

Hosted by Ahlia University Bahrain
Sheraton Hotel, Kingdom of Bahrain, 16-18 May 2017

With the acceleration of the digital revolution, there lies the potential to utilise this to supplement sustainable development goals endeavours. Central to the forum were the challenges faced by countries within the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). The rapid urbanisation within the region were found to be leaning towards the development of smart cities, clearly exhibiting the governments’—particularly that of Saudi Arabia’s – recognition and consideration of the importance of the role of technology and the youth in their states’ future. Downward trends in oil prices have posed a serious barrier to this development, thus solutions to securing the economy and income in oil and gas export dependent states were also explored. The urgency of income and wealth inequalities was also revisited, which called for further radical reform in regulation and policy to better address the welfare, and macro- and micro-level challenges that have arose.

This major international event will provide a forum for academics, government and industry to discuss the various challenges facing the world particularly the MENA countries in their efforts to achieve a sustainable knowledge-based inclusive development. This three-day conference will be a great opportunity for all scholars, government representatives and policy makers to get an external, unbiased point of view on the matters relating to their fields of practice.

The conference brought together a wide range of academicians, researchers, development practitioners and policy-makers from all over the world to participate in a forum that allowed them to share experiences, develop innovative approaches, and create partnerships to enhance knowledge sharing and international scientific cooperation. The structure of the conference’s myriad knowledge and learning events were designed to foster maximum peerlearning and experience sharing. The format allowed for panelists to present their views on specific topical issues followed by a question and answer session. This provided opportunities for delegates to effectively engage in dialogue and share their individual experiences and perspectives on the given issue or topic.

Diaspora

The collaboration between the Diaspora and those working within the country of origin offers several opportunities and contributes to increase productivity towards sustainable and inclusive knowledge-based growth. Building constructive relationships between the Diasporas and countries of origin require that Diasporas be treated not as a mere resource, but as partners and investors with mutual benefits.

It has long been argued that Diasporas will be most interested in contributing to SD efforts when they have a sense of belonging in relation to their country of origin. Therefore, it is very important to establish trust between Diasporas and governments in the country of origin. In doing so, governments need to invest in identifying their Diasporas abroad and in understanding their skills and interests.

Many sustainability problems can only be tackled by connecting the diaspora with those working within the country of origin, for example combating the results of climate change, diseases such as malaria, reservation of natural resources, fighting land degradation or limiting the loss of biodiversity and many other problems. Moreover, knowledge or evidence-based policymaking is indispensable if gaps in living standards are to be narrowed. Therefore, building capacity in country of origin is necessary for competing in the global arena and there it is critical to turn the diaspora into a positive tool for SD as well as serving as role models for the youth in the country of origin.

Sustainable Development Goals

Location

Manama, Capital, Bahrain

Get Directions

Country/Regions

Team

The conference is organised by several committees from WASD and under close supervision of WASD Advisory Board.

WASD Team

Prof. Allam Ahmed: Co-Chair and President WASD
Janet Snow: International Coordinator and Editor
N. Joseph Navinraj: Publishing
Patricia Garcia: Coordinator and Social Media
Megha Bharadwa: Graphics Coordinator
Richard James: Webmaster
Joseph Adamson: Audio/Visual
Vicky Trainer: Graphic Designer

Local Organizing Team

Professor Abdulla Y. Al Hawaj: Founding President & Chairman of Board of Trustees
Professor Mansoor Alaali: President Ahlia University
Professor Bakr Ahmad Hassan: Vice President for Academic Affairs
Professor Shawqi Al Dallal: Acting Dean of College of Medical & Health Sciences and President’s advisor for Futuristic Studies and Innovation
Professor Amer Al-Roubaie: Advisor, Capacity Building and Academic Collaboration
Dr. Thaera Alshirawi, President Assistant for Marketing, Media and Public Relations
Husain Mohamed Habib, Manager, Professional Relations

Participants

WASD conferences bring together researchers, policy makers, educators, consultants and employers from around the world to exchange knowledge and experience and discuss recent developments and current challenges in both theory and practice. Here is a list of distinguished speakers and panellists who have participated at WASD conferences in the past.

Languges

Related Conferences

Social Networks

Contact Us

To register/enquire about this conference and all our other conferences and events, please contact us (admin@wasd.org.uk) and if you have any question and/or if you would like to submit any proposal for a conference/event not listed in our portfolio please contact our International Coordinator - Janet Snow at: janet.snow@wasd.org.uk.

Objectives

Among the various topics explored during the conference are:

The impact of digital revolution on performance efficiency particularly in the public sector and consequently achieve sustainable development (SD) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). Digital natives in the region are growing fast and it is therefore important that policy makers and governments consider the youth in all their policy design and implementation.
Governments in the region are under increasing pressure to raise to the current challenges of improving performance and effectiveness in public sectors and reducing the deficit. Policy makers are therefore need to consider creative and innovative approaches to cost saving and performance management. Most countries in the region have embarked on several major transformation and restructuring initiatives such as business process re-engineering. 
There is an urgent need for radical reform to reduce inequalities in income and wealth, reduce the size of the public sector, enhance people capabilities, reduce excessive consumption and strengthen private enterprises. Among other things, sustainable knowledge-based development has been mentioned in the debate on the future development of the region. With the exception of energy, resources to produce food, supply water, and to induce change through creativity, innovation and knowledge are in adequate to support reengineering the economic structure and support growth. In this respect sustainability could provide some solutions to the economic situation in these countries. This, however, will require effective institutions, efficient macroeconomic policies, good educational services, strong political will, regional cooperation and collaboration and genuine public-private sectors involvement. Factor mobility especially capital and labor need to be promoted to facilitate investment and stimulate growth.

Women

Women across the world have an untapped potential as a primary mover of greater development within their countries and regions. Their role is very crucial for increased development, but challenges remain. And so, significant reforms in economic, social, and political institutions must be made to create an enabling environment for women participation and empowerment. However, it appears that investments in human development are not readily translated to better economic and political outcomes for women. Unfortunately, women’s potential and crucial role in development across the world is still impeded by these economic and social factors. Women’s participation is also very important in advancing peace, unity and combating terrorism, which is a most serious threat to SD across all regions of the world. It has also been recognized that women have been largely excluded from the processes of conflict management and prevention and that their role is important in the achievement of lasting peace and security (UN, 2015).

Theme

Recent trends in oil prices have stimulated the debate about economic security and future sustainability in the world particularly those countries heavily depending on oil. Currently, revenues from oil and gas extraction represent the main source of income, especially for oil and gas producing countries in the region. The prospect that a replacement for the income currently derived from oil and gas production and exports is not feasible, at least in the short and intermediate terms. We have witnessed, in recent months, governments across the region cutting back on subsidized prices of essential goods including food, water, electricity, and gasoline. Most governments registered deficits in their budgets reflecting the serious nature of their fiscal expenditures.

Similar to other parts of the world, most countries in the MENA region accelerating the pace of urbanisation towards building smart cities to leverage developments in technology to improve the daily lives of their citizens. According to various reports by the UN, urbanisation is very high in most cities in the region; more than 65 per cent of the population in Arab countries are expected to live in urban areas by 2020. More than 80 per cent of GCC population are living in urban cities and in some counties such as Kuwait and Qatar almost all people are living in urban areas. Among the various its 2030 goals, Saudi Arabia 2030 vision is to have three Saudi cities be recognised in the top smart cities in the world.

With the exception of few countries in the region which has been successful to some extent in reducing dependency on energy sources, the current state of economic realities show that most countries in the MENA region have structural problems in responding to the economic challenges facing them. They need to rethink their development model and come up with localised approach to support sustainable knowledge-based inclusive growth. In this regard, lots of questions are asked and it seems that even policy making bodies cannot provide adequate answers about the future economic trends to remedy the existing conditions. Topics such as knowledge, technology, innovation, digital revolution, science, manufacturing and services are among of the widely circulated as alternative solutions. Even governments do not seem to have much thinking about what is needed to be done to relieve the situation.

Youth

WASD is very keen to encourage the engagement of children and youth from across the world in the conference. We are keen to make the voice of all our children and youth heard and consequently enabling the decision makers to consider those views and ideas in their big decisions. The entire concept of SD is about the future and the future is all about the children and youth! Youth population is growing rapidly in all regions of the world and we are very keen to understand the children and youth perspectives and expectations for their future to help them be ready to grasp the various opportunities generated in the digital economy. We strongly believe our children and youth should be the cornerstone of any strategy by all governments and policy makers. We must listen to our children and youth and more importantly how we can help our youth with their future employment plans and aspirations. Youth from all-over the world are encouraged to participate in the conference and present their research, perspectives and initiatives.

Publications

Outlook 2017 is a truly global source book reflected in the varied national and cultural origins of the contributors as well as the topics and case studies covered. The book includes selection of the best papers presented during the conference. The conference provided a forum for academics, government and industry to discuss the various challenges facing the world particularly the Middle East and North Africa countries in their efforts to achieve a sustainable knowledge-based inclusive development.

Editor: Professor Allam Ahmed
ISBN: 978-1-907106-89-7
Year: 2017
Pages: 379

Speakers

Chair: Prof. Zahir Irani, Dean, Faculty of Management and Law, University of Bradford, United Kingdom Rapporteur: Dr. Thaera ALSHIRAWI, President Assistant for Marketing, Media and Public Relations, Ahlia University, Kingdom of Bahrain(09:00 – 10:15) Session 1: Opening of the Conference and Keynotes Welcome

Prof. Abdulla Y. Al-Hawaj (VIDEO) Founding President and Chairman of Board of Trustees Ahlia University, Kingdom of Bahrain
Prof. ALLAM AHMED (VIDEO) President, World Association for Sustainable Development (WASD) Director, Middle Eastern Knowledge Economy Institute (MEKEI) London, United Kingdom

Keynotes

Governments in the digital age – progress, priorities and policies (VIDEO) Samia M. Melhem Lead Policy Specialist, Transport and ICT Global Lead, Digital Development Community of Practice World Bank Washington DC, United States
Government, universities and society: implications of the Digital Transformation (VIDEO) Dr. JASON J BLACKSTOCK Head of Department Science, Technology, Engineering and Public Policy University College London London, United Kingdom

Session 2: Innovation and knowledge management
Chair: Prof. Amir Sharif, Professor of Operations Management and Founding Director, Operations and Supply Chain Systems (OASIS) Research Group, Brunel University, United Kingdom
Rapporteur: MOHAMAD AMIN HASBINI, Senior Security Researcher, Global Research and Analysis Team, Kaspersky Lab, United Arab Emirates

End-users’ satisfaction with the quality of innovative healthcare technologies in Bahrain: a case study of hospital information systems (VIDEO) Prof. MUKHTAR AL-HASHIMI, Ahlia University, Kingdom of Bahrain MISHLEEN M. AQLEH, Ahlia University, Kingdom of Bahrain
Dynamic model for the knowledge management and measurement of intellectual capital in services companies (VIDEO) Dr. VÍCTOR HUGO MEDINA GARCÍA, Distrital University, Colombia ELMER YESID FAJARDO RODRÍGUEZ, Distrital University, Colombia LINA MARIA MEDINA ESTRADA, Distrital University, Colombia
Youth urban innovation: educational platform for Smart City Planning NUHA ELTINAY, Arab Urban Development Institute, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Session 3: Water, energy and the environment
Chair: Prof. SHAWQI AL DALLAL, Acting Dean of College of Medical & Health Sciences and President’s Advisor for Futuristic Studies and Innovation, Ahlia University, Kingdom of Bahrain
Rapporteur: Dr. MOAZZEM HOSSAIN, Associate Professor, Griffith University, Australia

Securing the future of Food, Water and Energy in the GCC (VIDEO) Prof. AMIR M. SHARIF, Brunel University, United Kingdom Prof. ZAHIR IRANI, University of Bradford, United Kingdom
Experimental application of Centrifugal Separation Techniques “CST” on reclaiming produced wastewater from oil refinery, Khartoum State (VIDEO) Dr. SARRA A. M. SAAD, Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research, Sudan MONTAISR A. H. KHIDER, Ministry of Environment, Sudan Dr. MOAWIA Y. BABIKER, Ekhtibarat Soil and Water Test Services, Sudan SUFYAN A. M. OSMAN, Ministry of Oil, Sudan
An investigation of the utilisation of energy and water conservation technologies in Bahrain: entrepreneurial opportunity (VIDEO) Prof. MUKHTAR AL-HASHIMI, Ahlia University, Kingdom of Bahrain SAYED DHEYA H. AHMED, Ahlia University, Kingdom of Bahrain
Water governance and technologies in the South-West national capital region of Delhi: challenges of transformative sustainable change Prof. RRANAV N. DESAI, Jawaharlal Nehru University, India

Session 5: Keynote Speakers
Chair: Prof. MANSOOR ALAALI, President, Ahlia University, Kingdom of Bahrain
Rapporteur: Dr. JOAO PINELO SILVA, University of Bahrain, Kingdom of Bahrain

Welcome and reflection on Day One
Prof. ABDULLA Y. AL-HAWAJ
Founding President and Chairman of Board of Trustees, Ahlia University
Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain
Prof. ALLAM AHMED
President, World Association for Sustainable Development (WASD)
Director, Middle Eastern Knowledge Economy Institute (MEKEI)
London, United Kingdom

Knowledge Management in the United Nations and the 2030 Agenda: breaking down the silos

Dr. PETRU DUMITRIU
Inspector
Joint Inspection Unit
United Nations
Geneva, Switzerland

Challenges in measuring knowledge management results and impact: IFAD's experience

HELEN GILLMAN
Senior Knowledge Management Specialist
Global Engagement, Knowledge and Strategy Division
International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)
Rome, Italy

Session 6: Culture, gender and management
Chair: Dr. OSAMAH M. N. EL-GOHARI, Al Turath Foundation, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Rapporteur: Dr. YAGOUB ALI GHANGI, Associate Professor, Ahmed Bin Mohamed Military College, Qatar

The impact of neuromarketing advertising on children: intended and unintended effects

AMANI AL ABBAS, Brunel University, United Kingdom

Dr. WEIFENG CHEN, Brunel University, United Kingdom

Dr. MARIA SABERI, Ahlia University, Kingdom of Bahrain

The relationship between multicultural teams and project performance

SAYED MAHDI FADHUL, Brunel University, United Kingdom

Dr. MONOMITA NANDY, Brunel University, United Kingdom

Board gender diversity: a review of the Literature

REEM KHAMIS, Brunel University, United Kingdom

Dr. TILLAL ELDABI, Brunel University, United Kingdom

Dr. ADEL AL SAREA, Ahlia University, Kingdom of Bahrain

Session 7: Public health and management

Chair: Prof. MUKHTAR AL-HASHIMI, Ahlia University, Kingdom of Bahrain

Rapporteur: Dr. RASHIDA ABUSIN, Associate Professor, University of Bahri, Sudan

The nutritional status of inpatient drug addicts and the impact of Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) intervention on recovery

Dr Nahlaa A. Khalifa, King Abdulaziz University, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Investigating obesity related behaviours in friendship networks among the youth: a systemised review

NOOR ALSAYED, Brunel University, United Kingdom

Dr. TILLAL ELDABI, Brunel University, United Kingdom

Prof. HABIN LEE, Brunel University, United Kingdom

International University of Africa Breast Cancer and HIV/AIDS initiatives for sustainable development in Sudan

Dr. HIND MAMOUN BEHEIRY, International University of Africa, Sudan

Hand grip strength, body mass index and anthropometric measurements among female university students: preliminary data in Bahrain

Dr. DALIA M KAMEL, Ahlia University, Kingdom of Bahrain and Cairo University, Egypt

FATIMA E MIRZA, Ahlia University, Kingdom of Bahrain

FATIMA H AL-ZAKI, Ahlia University, Kingdom of Bahrain

Dr. JENAN J AL-SEHALI, Ahlia University, Kingdom of Bahrain

ZAHRA A ABDULLA, Ahlia University, Kingdom of Bahrain

Session 8: Science and technology management

Chair: Prof. PRANAV N. DESAI, Chair Centre for Studies in Science Policy, School of Social Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, India

Rapporteur: Dr. SARRA A. M. SAAD, Associate Professor, Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research, Sudan

The role of education and culture in bridging the digital gap: a journey to the future

Prof. SHAWQI AL DALLAL, Ahlia University, Kingdom of Bahrain

Influence of chlorsulfuron and 2,4-D on management of Striga hermonthica on sorghum

Dr. RASHIDA ABUSIN, University of Bahri, Sudan

ELFATIH AHMED, Agricultural Research Corporation, Sudan

MOHAMMED HASSAN, Environment and Natural Resources and Desertification Research Institute, Sudan

BABIKER MOHAMMED MAHGOUB, University of Bahri, Sudan

Prof. ABDELGABBAR ELTAYEB BABIKER, Environment and Natural Resources and Desertification Research Institute, Sudan

Bio-economy and its connection to the knowledge-based economy

Prof. ELSADIG MUSA AHMED, Multimedia University, Malaysia

Session 9: Keynote Speakers Chair: Chair: Prof. BAKR AHMAD HASSAN, Vice President for Academic Affairs, Ahlia University, Kingdom of Bahrain Rapporteur: Prof. ELSADIG MUSA AHMED, Professor of Economics and Chair Center for Globalization and Sustainable Research, Multimedia University, MalaysiaKeynotes

Graduate employability in a changing world (VIDEO) Prof. RONALD MCQUAID Professor of Work and Employment, University of Stirling Former Director, Employment Research Institute Stirling, United Kingdom
The role of KM in achieving efficiency, effectiveness and value for Money in the Public Sector (VIDEO) Prof. JOHN ADAMS Head Department of Economics British University in Egypt Cairo, Egypt
Personalized medicine is the future sustainable knowledge for human wellbeing (VIDEO) Prof. MOIZ BAKHIET Professor and Chairman, Department of Molecular Medicine, CMMS, Arabian Gulf University Consultant Neurologist, King Abdulla Medical City Director, Princess Al-Jawhara Center for Molecular Medicine, Genetics and Inherited Disorders Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain

10:20 10:45Tea/Coffee Break10:45 11:45Session 6: Culture, gender and management Chair: Prof. AMER AL-ROUBAIE, Advisor Capacity Building and Academic Collaboration, Ahlia University, Kingdom of Bahrain Rapporteur: Dr. EMAN MOHAMMD SALEH, Deputy Dean for Studies, Development & Community Service, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

(هِجْرَةُ العُلَمَاءِ وَتَهْجِيرُ العِلْمِ) The migration of scholars and displacement of knowledge (VIDEO) FAWAZ M. M. AL DKHEEL Consultant and Development Specialist Member of the Regional Social Responsibility Network Al-Khobar, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
(العَقْلُ بَينَ الإِنْمَاءِ المَنْشُودِ، وَالإِفْسَادِ المَرْدُودِ) The MIND: progressive development versus prohibited ideology (VIDEO) Dr. JAMAL N. I. HASSAN Associate Professor College of Arts Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University Dammam, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

11:45 12:00 Tea/Coffee Break/Pray12:00 13:20Session 7: Finance and entrepreneurship development Chair: Prof. ABDELGADIR WARSAMA GHALIB, Legal Counsel & Professor of Law, Kingdom of Bahrain Rapporteur: HASAN GHURA, Box Hill College, Kuwait

Towards a theoretical framework between opportunity entrepreneurship, institutions and economic development (VIDEO) HASAN GHURA, Box Hill College, Kuwait Dr. XIAOQING LI, Brunel University, United Kingdom
Entrepreneurship education and training: a gateway towards a knowledge-based and diversified economy in Qatar (VIDEO) Dr. YAGOUB ALI GHANGI, Ahmed Bin Mohamed Military College, Qatar
Apprenticeships: start today and be your own boss (VIDEO) ALMOIZE AHMED, AA Accountancy, United Kingdom
Why most of small startup businesses fail with 3 years in Saudi Arabia (VIDEO) MOTAZ ABDULRAHMAN ALSOLAIM, University of Brighton, United Kingdom

13:00 14:00Lunch and Networking14:00 15:00Session 8: Digital divide and the knowledge-based economy Chair: Dr. VÍCTOR HUGO MEDINA GARCÍA, Senior Lecturer, Distrital University, Colombia Rapporteur: Dr. TILLAL ELDABI, Brunel University, United Kingdom

Closing the digital divide: a path towards sustainable knowledge-based inclusive development Prof. AMER AL-ROUBAIE, Ahlia University, Kingdom of Bahrain
Sustainable growth and development: why do digital disruptions matter? Dr. MOAZZEM HOSSAIN, Griffith University, Australia MOHAMMAD SAMSUL HOQUE, Government of Bangladesh, Bangladesh
FDI inflows spillover effect implications on the Asian-Pacific’s catching up process Prof. ELSADIG MUSA AHMED, Multimedia University, Malaysia

Digital revolution, smart cities and performance improvement towards a sustainable knowledge-based inclusive development

Overview

Diaspora

Sustainable Development Goals

Location

Country/Regions

Team

Participants

Languges

Related Conferences

Social Networks

Contact Us

Objectives

Women

Theme

Youth

Publications

Speakers

You May Also Be Interested In

Quick Links

EXPERTS

Get in touch

Digital revolution, smart cities and performance improvement towards a sustainable knowledge-based inclusive development

Overview

Diaspora

Sustainable Development Goals

Location

Country/Regions

Team

Participants

Languges

Related Conferences

Social Networks

Contact Us

Objectives

Women

Theme

Youth

Publications

Speakers

You May Also Be Interested In

Role of Academic Institutions and Societies in Achieving the Millennium Development Goals

The Role of Academic Institutions and Societies in Achieving the Millennium Development Goals 2nd…

Global Competitiveness: a Common Goal in a Digital Society

Global Competitiveness: a Common Goal in a Digital Society 3rd Sustainability International…

Global and Local Resources in Achieving Sustainable Development

Global and Local Resources in Achieving Sustainable Development 4th Sustainability International…

Quick Links

EXPERTS

Get in touch