Executive Report Global Knowledge Index 2017: Executive Report Global Knowledge Index has been produced through a partnership between Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation (MBRF) and United Nations Development Programme/ Regional Bureau for Arab States (UNDP/RBAS) Printed at Al Ghurair Printing and Publishing, Dubai – United Arab Emirates on Chlorine – Free paper and using plant-based ink manufactured according to environmentally-friendly technologies. Cover Design: Lucie Abi-Nehme Layout and Production: Al Ghurair Printing and Publishing, Dubai Printed in Dubai - United Arab Emirates The analyses and results presented in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation or United Nations Development Programme, its Executive Board Members or United Nations Member States. The report is an independent publication, produced by a team of prominent consultants and experts. This report has been originally written in Arabic. The English translation has been edited for flow and clarity, and as such may not reflect all part or sentences in the Arabic version. Foreword Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation Global Knowledge Index… A Seismic Shift Towards Sustainable Development With its ever-growing list of initiatives and outward- remain abreast of all transformations brought about by looking projects, the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum the digital revolution, which have affected all aspects of Knowledge Foundation has broadened its scope to go far our lives. To that end, we have launched a host of creative beyond the borders of the UAE, and those of the greater projects and initiatives, and today, we are gathered here surrounding region, for that matter. The Foundation is to announce yet another ambitious project: the first-ever now a global institution communicating with and spreading Global Knowledge Index, which promises to be a global knowledge to all corners of the globe. With that, we are knowledge platform, that tracks the realities of this sector abiding closely by the forward-thinking vision of our wise in 140 countries around the world, highlighting challenges leaders, and particularly, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed and proposing solutions for the sustainable development bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of societies. of the UAE, Ruler of Dubai, who said: “Our objective is to show the world that we are able to contribute to humanity With the Global Knowledge Index, we offer the world a through quality knowledge and scientific discoveries.” scientific tool to accurately evaluate knowledge, identify challenges, strengths and weaknesses within the sector, and Driven by H.H.’s aspirations, we, at the Mohammed bin share valuable insight and expertise. Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation, have spared no effort to offer the world one knowledge-powered The Index provides timely and accurate data, organised initiative after the other. Today, we’ve joined hands with based on a thorough and scientific classification system, our strategic partner, the United Nations Development in order to establish a competitive environment between Program (UNDP), to launch an all-new scientific instrument governments and other competent authorities. It is a and a seismic shift towards sustainable development. sophisticated instrument that supports decision-makers and lays the foundations for a holistic sustainable The Foundation is not out of touch with the rapid development strategy for peoples around the world. advancements taking place around the world, we strive to Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of MBRF Foreword United Nations Development Programme I am pleased to present the Global Knowledge Index, knowledge and development in the Arab region. The the latest product of the successful partnership between index provided policymakers with a practical tool to guide the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) the assessment, planning and implementation of policies and the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge that maximize the employment of knowledge to further Foundation (MBRF). development. We introduce this tool hoping that it will inspire The positive reception of the Arab Knowledge Index policymakers and stakeholders across the world to prompted this present endeavour to develop the Global design initiatives that best employ knowledge to achieve Knowledge Index, which employs a comprehensive set sustainable development, as we pursue our global shared of standardized indicators to measure the performance of vision to achieve a prosperous and just future for people vital knowledge sectors. The index offers objective data to and the planet – one that leaves no one behind as envisaged help countries track progress trends over time to better in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the employ knowledge in meeting changing development Sustainable Development Goals. needs, and facilitates comparisons with other countries, enabling better learning from and adaptation of successful Knowledge is the cornerstone of sustainable development. experiences. Profound transformations triggered by globalisation and the unprecedented proliferation of information technologies At UNDP, we value our partnership with the Mohammed have changed the rules of progress: now more than ever, bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation, and a country’s ability to harness knowledge is pivotal to its remain committed to our shared vision of promoting ability to thrive. Indeed, the capacity to produce and apply knowledge as a key driver of sustainable human knowledge in service of the economy, social progress and development. I salute MBRF’s unwavering support to the environmental sustainability is a distinguishing factor in endeavour of establishing knowledge societies, not only in sustainable development. the UAE, but across the Arab region and beyond. A key challenge to managing the knowledge transformation is the measurement of knowledge and its contribution to development. In 2015, UNDP and MBRF introduced the Arab Knowledge Index, in a pioneering effort to address the deficit in data and information about the nexus of Mourad Wahba United Nations Assistant Secretary-General Assistant Administrator & Director of the Regional Bureau for Arab States, United Nations Development Programme Table of Contents Introduction 1 Defining knowledge 3 Linking knowledge with development 3 Measuring knowledge: Review of other tools and approaches 4 The Global Knowledge Index (GKI): Towards a multidimensional index 5 General Methodology 6 Statistical Methodology 9 Selection of variables 9 Data collection 10 Data treatment 10 Index weighting 11 Index calculation 11 Index structure 12 Pre-University Education Index 12 Structure of the Pre-University Education Index 13 Knowledge capital 13 Educational enabling environment 15 Relative weighting 16 Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Index 16 Structure of the TVET Index 18 Formation and professional training 18 Features of the labour market 18 Relative weighting 19 Higher Education Index 19 Structure of the Higher Education Index 20 Higher education inputs 20 Higher education outputs and quality 20 Relative weighting 22 Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Index 22 Structure of the RDI Index 22 Research and development 23 Innovation in production 24 Social innovation 25 Relative weighting 25 Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Index 26 Structure of the ICT Index 27 ICT inputs 27 ICT outputs 27 Relative weighting 29 Economy Index 29 Structure of the Economy Index 30 Knowledge competitiveness 30 Economic openness 32 Financing and value added 32 Relative weighting 33 General Enabling Environment Index 33 Structure of the General Enabling Environment Index 33 Political and institutional 33 Socio-economic 34 Environment and health 35 Relative Weighting 35 Key findings 36 Concluding remarks 37 Endnotes 39 References 41 References in Arabic 41 References in English 42 References in French 48 List of figures Figure 1: The Knowledge Index: Support for Development Policies 6 Figure 2: Construction of the Global Knowledge Index 7 Figure 3: Structure of the Global Knowledge Index 9 Figure 4: Structure of the Pre-University Education Index 14 Figure 5: Structure of the Technical Vocational Education and Training Index 17 Figure 6: Structure of the Higher Education Index 21 Figure 7: Structure of the Research, Development and Innovation Index 23 Figure 8: Structure of the Information and Communications Technology Index 28 Figure 9: Structure of the Economy Index 31 Figure 10: Structure of the General Enabling Environment Index 34 Figure 11: Correlation of the GKI to the Human Development Index and SDG Index 35 Figure 12: Comparison across Sectors 36 List of Tables Table 1: Comparison of Sectoral Average Scores of Top Ranking and Lowest Ranking Countries 35 Contributors Advisors Ahmed El-Sherbini, Ali Hadi, Anuja Utz, Hugo Hollanders, Jan Sturesson, Jean-Louis Laville, Laurent Probst, Leif Edvinsson, Luis Serven, Milorad Kovacevic, Shyamal Majumdar, Sid-Ahmed Soussi Core Team Najoua Fezza Ghriss (Main Author/ Pre-University Education), Youssef Sadik (TVET), Ali Ibrahim (Higher Education), Ali Saeed Al-Kaabi (Higher Education), Motaz Khorshid (RDI), Yousry El Gamal (ICT), Khalid Al-Wazani (Economy), Mohamad Ismail (Expert Statistician) Arab Knowledge Project Director (UNDP) Hany Torky Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation Jamal Bin Huwaireb (CEO), Saif Al-Mansoori (Corporate Affairs