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Towards a sustainable knowledge-based economy in the Middle East and North Africa

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Overview

Towards a Sustainable Knowledge-Based Economy in the Middle East & North Africa
1st MENA International Conference, Brighton, UK 2013
Hosted by WASD in partnership with the Middle Eastern Knowledge Economy Institute (MEKEI)

Freeman Centre, Falmer Campus, University of Sussex, Brighton, United Kingdom, 30 January 2013

The conference aims to critically discuss a range of issues relating to the role of academics and professionals in supporting and enhancing the process of transforming the countries of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) to advanced, knowledge-based societies led by sustainable innovation and social advance. The conference will also discuss the major obstacles for science, technology and innovation (STI) in the MENA region and help policy-makers to constructs an “ideal role” for STI in achieving sustainable development in the region.

This conference will focus on the question what do policy makers actually need to know about the knowledge-based economy and the underlying boundlessness of the concept of knowledge-based economy and whether ‘STI’ has anything to offer policy makers. In doing so, the conference will adopt a holistic approach to critically examine these issues through an interactive discussion and debate by leading international scholars in the field and participants from across various disciplines and from various parts of the world.

Attending this conference is an opportunity for academics, government officials, policy makers to get together and share their knowledge as a first step toward a transformational plan that they can tailor to suit their unique circumstances for a sustainable future. Moreover the conference will also include a LIVE DEMO of the first of its kind Knowledge Management Framework established in the MENA region and the opportunity for participants to explore the various activities (teaching, research, and consultancy) offered by MEKEI and meets face to face MEKEI’s core members and explores future collaboration and partnership. Similar to previous conferences organised by the Middle Eastern Knowledge Economy Institute (MEKEI), this multidisciplinary conference is expected to attract large number of global experts and scholars in addition to MEKEI members all over the world.

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
  • SDG11
  • SDG12
  • SDG13
  • SDG14
  • SDG15
  • SDG16
  • SDG4
  • SDG17
  • SDG3
  • SDG2
  • SDG5
  • SDG1
  • SDG6
  • SDG7
  • SDG8
  • SDG9
  • SDG10
Location

Freeman Centre, University of Sussex, Brighton, England BN1 9RQ, United Kingdom

Get Directions
Country/Regions
  • SDG11
  • SDG12
  • SDG13
  • SDG14
  • SDG15
  • SDG16
  • SDG4
  • SDG17
  • SDG3
  • SDG2
  • SDG5
  • SDG1
  • SDG6
  • SDG7
  • SDG8
  • SDG9
  • SDG10
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
Participants

The conference brings together senior and high level intellectual and practice-based contributors who will help develop a framework for the analysis of the role of MENA region HE institutions in achieving sustainable inclusive knowledge-based development and help policy-makers to constructs an “ideal role” for HE institutions in MENA countries and outlines how performance can be evaluated in pursuit of the goals of KE. Here is a list of distinguished speakers and panellists who have participated at WASD conferences in the past.

  • Keynote Speakers
  • Presenters
  • Private Sector
  • Authors
Languges
  • English
  • Arabic
Related Conferences
  • MENA
  • Past
Social Networks
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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

The aim of this conference is to critically discuss the impact of Covid-19 pandemic lockdown on the future role of higher education (HE) in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) towards achieving the United Nations Agenda 2030 and 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The conference will therefore explore the role of academic and research institutions to enable countries in the MENA region reap the digital benefits form the global growth in the digital economy particularly for the region’s Digital Natives (Youth).

The conference also aims to provoke forward thinking on the role of science, innovation and research in solving global problems related to sustainability as well as the potential of Industry 4.0 for the implementation of SDGs. While it is largely argued that Industry 4.0 has the potential to produce innovative solutions to global issues but the problematique of managing science, innovation and research for SD is strongly influenced by the institutional culture in which international discussions have taken place.

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

The conference aims to discuss a range of questions relating to strengthening the linkages between universities and research institutions as well as reconnecting these institutions to the UN Agenda 2030 and SDGs by exploring the role of HE institutions in transforming the countries in the MENA region into knowledge-based economies. In doing so, a number of issues relating to the role and relevance of HE institutions to the contemporary discourse of MENA countries’ sustainable inclusive knowledge-based development will be examined such as: what is the role of MENA’s HE institutions in supporting and enhancing the process of economic and social development in the region?; what are the major obstacles that HE institutions face in the MENA region?; are there governmental components to these? if so what?; are there societal components to these? if so what?; and how can these obstacles best be overcome?

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

WASD produces various publications, to spread information all over the world, and to promote its aims and activities through various other partners. WASD publications are developed to provide an overview of Sustainable Development (SD) and why it is important and to provoke forward thinking on the development of a more coherent approach to solving global problems related to sustainability. In doing so, a holistic approach is used to critically examine the inter-relationship between the natural, the governmental, the economic and the social dimensions of our world and how science and technology can contribute to solutions. And although science, technology and SD are the main focus of our publications, there is no limit as to the articles/chapters that will be considered. Our publications are truly global source books and journals reflected in the varied nation and cultural origins of the contributors as well as the topics and case studies covered. All our editorial committees are truly international in terms of their interests and range of specialization. The validated academic background that they bring to bear on the quality of the review as well as their geographic areas of interest foster a uniquely different editorial experience.

Speakers

Session (1): An Overview of the MENA Region

“Welcome”
PROF. AIDAN BERRY
Dean, Brighton Business School, University of Brighton, UK
Read the presentation slides (PDF)
Watch the presentation (YouTube)“Overview about MENA and Introduction to MEKEI”
PROF. ALLAM AHMED
Director, MEKEI, Brighton Business School, University of Brighton, UK
Senior Lecturer, SPRU – Science and Technology Policy Research, University of Sussex, UK

Read the presentation slides (PDF)
Watch the presentation

“18 Years in the Newsroom: How the World See the Middle East and North Africa”
ALA SUBHI
Duty Editor, BBC Arabic, BBC World Service, London, UK
Read the presentation slides (PDF)
Watch the presentation (YouTube)

“The Role of Universities in Achieving Sustainable Development in the Arab Countries”
PROF. ABDULLA AL HAWAJ
President, Ahlia University, Bahrain
President, Association of Arab Private Institutions for Higher Education

Read the presentation slides (PDF)
Watch the presentation (YouTube)

“LIVE DEMO – FIRST Knowledge Management Framework in the Middle East”
RICHARD PINDER
Director, EMEA Smartlogic, UK
PROF ALLAM AHMED
Director, MEKEI, Brighton Business School, University of Brighton, UK
Senior Lecturer, SPRU – Science and Technology Policy Research, University of Sussex, UK

Session (2): Managing Knowledge and Information in MENA

“What is the Knowledge-based Economy? Concepts and Lessons for the Middle Eastern Countries”
PROF W. EDWARD STEINMUELLER
Director, Information, Networks and Knowledge (INK) Research Group, SPRU – Science and Technology Policy Research, University of Sussex, UK
Read the presentation slides (PDF)
Watch the presentation (YouTube)

“Knowledge Management – Step by Step”
DR. PETER HEISIG
Senior Research Fellow, Socio Technical Centre (STC), Leeds University Business School
Founder, European Research Center for Knowledge and Innovation (EUREK), UK

Read the presentation slides (PDF)
Watch the presentation (YouTube)

“Capturing and exploiting corporate knowledge: from onboarding to alumni”
Paul J. Corney
Read the presentation slides (PDF)
Watch the presentation (YouTube)

Session (3): Science, Technology and Innovation Policy in MENA

“Bridging the Gap between Science, Technology and Innovation Policy Research and Policy Making
PROF. GEOFFREY OLDHAM
Honorary Professor, SPRU – Science and Technology Policy Research, University of Sussex, UK
Read the presentation slides (PDF)
Watch the presentation (YouTube)

“Scientific Research and Knowledge Management in Sudan: Success Story from the Mycetoma Research Centre”
PROF. AHMED HASSAN FAHAL
Professor of Surgery and Founding Director, The Mycetoma Research Centre, University of Khartoum, Sudan
Watch the presentation (YouTube)

“Public Health Research in MENA: Challenges and Opportunities
DR. IHAB TEWFIK
Course Leader Human Nutrition, University of Westminster, UK
Chairman, The International Forum for Public Health (IFPH), UK
Read the presentation slides (PDF)
Watch the presentation (YouTube)

“Towards a Sustainable Transportation System in the MENA Region
PROF. WAFAA SALEH
Professor of Transport Engineering, Transport Research Institute (TRI), Edinburgh Napier University, UK
Read the presentation slides (PDF)
Watch the presentation (YouTube)

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