Main Sponsor Media Partner Diamond Sponsor Silver Sponsor 2 Under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Vice President, Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai 3 4 Content First Knowledge Conference 5 Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Award 6 Arab Knowledge Report 2014: Youth and Localisation of Knowledge 7 Arab Knowledge Index 8 Conference Agenda 11 Conference Moderators 25 Conference Speakers 33 Sponsors 73 5 First Knowledge Conference Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh that contribute to dissemination, transfer and Knowledge Transfer Processes, the Challenges Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice localization of knowledge around the world. of Localization and Transfer of Knowledge in President and Prime Minister and Ruler of The conference will also witness the launch the Arab Region. The Knowledge Report for Dubai, and under the guidance of His Highness of Knowledge Index, an indicator that will this year will include another report addressing Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid monitor the status of knowledge in the Arab the same cases from the United Arab Emirates Al Maktoum, Chairman of Mohammed bin world on an annual basis. The index is based perspective. It deals with the challenges and Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation (MBRF), the on a number of sub-indices in the economic, strategies for effective integration of youth first Knowledge Conference will be held from social and knowledge levels that highlight the in the UAE and the localization of knowledge December 7 to 9 at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in progress towards knowledge based societies transfer at the national level. Dubai. and economies. It will provide accurate and useful information on the status of knowledge The First Knowledge conference reflects the Organized by the MBRF, the conference in the Arab communities to decision-makers, major role of knowledge in renaissance and will bring together international and experts and researchers, to offer guidance in growth, as knowledge draws the lines between regional knowledge influencers, experts the formulation of development plans and wealth and poverty, ability and disability, and and stakeholders and thought-leaders such policies. achievements and failures. A state that is able as Sir Tim Berners-Lee, the inventor of the to produce and spread knowledge has the World Wide Web, and Jimmy Wales, the co- On the second day of the conference, The potential to elevate its development, assist its founder of Wikipedia. The conference will Arab Knowledge Report 2014, a joint initiative nationals to grow and prosper and occupy the also witness the announcement of the first of the MBRF and the Arab Bureau in the position that it deserves in the contemporary winner of the Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid United Nations Development Programme, world. The conference will include a set of Al Maktoum Knowledge Award that honors a will be launched to address important issues sessions and workshops during which experts, global figure for his or her contributions to the and shed light on the status of knowledge specialists and pioneers of knowledge from dissemination of knowledge. The award aims in the Arab world. These include topics such around the world will discuss various aspects to encourage further initiatives and programs as Youth Understanding in Localization of of the deployment and transfer of knowledge. 6 Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Award An annual Award launched for the first time in 2014, the Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Award honors a global figure for his or her contributions in the dissemination of knowledge. The award aims to raise awareness about the importance of the dissemination and transfer of knowledge as a means for sustainable development and prosperity of the peoples, as well as to encourage further initiatives and programs that contribute to dissemination, transfer and localisation of knowledge around the world. 7 Arab Knowledge Report 2014: Youth and Localisation of Knowledge A joint initiative between the Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation and the Arab Bureau in the United Nations Development Programme, the Arab Knowledge Report 2014 is the third report in its series. It addresses important topics and sheds light on the status of knowledge in the Arab world, such as youth understanding in localisation of knowledge transfer processes, the challenges of localisation and transfer of knowledge in the Arab region. The report looks at the status of Arab youth and covers the required enabling environments to integrate youth as key players in the localisation of knowledge transfer processes, and strategies for activating the participation of youth in deploying knowledge in sustainable human development. 8 Arab Knowledge Index The Arab Knowledge Index is an indicator the telecommunications infrastructure as a that monitors the status of knowledge in the major tool of dissemination of knowledge, Arab world on an annual basis. Taking into the number of books and translations issued consideration the specific situation of the Arab annually, paper or electronic documentation region, the index includes a number of sub- efforts, and content development efforts in the indices in the economic, social and knowledge mother tongue. levels that indicate the progress towards knowledge based societies and economies. The index reflects a practical tool to measure knowledge in the Arab world and provides These indicators include the number and accurate and practical information about the effectiveness of colleges and universities, status of knowledge in the Arab communities scientific research centers, the budgets to decision-makers, experts and researchers. allocated by governments for the development of scientific research, the number of patents registered annually, the extent of private sector involvement in supporting and funding scientific research centers, the evolution of 9 10 Conference Agenda 11 Day One: December 7, 2014 8:00 - 9:00 Registration 9:00 - 10:30 First Session The transition towards knowledge based economy between Theory and reality Moderator: Yousuf AL Hooti • From a knowledge society to a knowledge economy - what is required for the Arab region? Is it enough to only build a knowledge economy, or should there be efforts to build knowledge societies as well? • Does the economic structure of the Arab world encourage building knowledge societies and knowledge economies? • Are our economic institutes keeping pace with the knowledge and industrial revolution taking place worldwide Speakers: • Dr. Khaled Al Hashash • Dr. Khaled Al Karaki • Dr. Peter Stokes • Dr. Tayeb Kamali 12 10:30 - 10:45 Break 10:45 -12:00 Opening Session • The National Anthem • Opening ceremony • Speech: HE Jamal Bin Huwaireb, Managing Director of MBRF • Speech: H.E. Dr. Sima Bahous, Assistant Secretary General, Regional Director - The Regional Bureau for Arab States • Speech: Sir Tim Berners-Lee - Inventor of the WWW. • Speech: Jimmy Wales – Founder of Wikipedia 13 Day One: December 7, 2014 12:00- 1:30 Second Session Knowledge through innovation and integration … Moderator: Raghida Dergham • The sharing of knowledge and integration of nations • The role of innovation in creating a knowledge system (socially and economically) • Using knowledge networks to excel in research and education • Using knowledge technology to enhance the welfare of the community Speakers: • Sir Tim Berners-Lee • Jimmy Wales • Dr. Chizu Nakajima • Prof. Hamid M.K. Al Naimiy • Dr. Dana Brown 1:30 - 3:00 Lunch Break 14 3:00-4:30 Third Session Producing and localising knowledge Moderator: Muntaha Ramahi • Producing and localising knowledge in the Arab world • Creating a local knowledge pool for the Arab region with a focus on countries that can implement it • Financing the creation of knowledge (a futuristic outlook) • The United Arab Emirates: A success story Speakers: • Prof. Mohamed Albaili • Dr. Mansoor Al Awar • HE Eng. Hussain Nasser Lootah • Dr. Talal Abu Ghazaleh • Dr. Sami Mahroum End of Day One 15 Day Two: December 8, 2014 8:00 - 9:00 Registration 9:00- 9:30 First Session Launch of the Arab Knowledge Report, and the UAE Report • Speech on behalf of the Mohammed bin Rashid Foundation • Presentation of the main findings and recommendations of the Arab Knowledge Report 2014 (the Regional Report and the UAE Report) Speakers: • HE Jamal bin Huwaireb • Dr. Ghaith Fariz 16 9:30- 11:00 Second Session Arab Youth Integration in the process of knowledge Transfer and Localisation Moderator: Dr. Abdelrahim Al Atri • Presentation of the main findings of the field studies carried out in the regional report - Najoua Al-Griss • The tight relationship between localization of knowledge and enabling the youth • Elements and opportunities of Arab youth enabling: limitations and potentials of effective participation in the transfer and localization of knowledge • Field surveys indicated gaps in Arab youth capabilities and their incompatibility with the requirements of knowledge transfer and localization. Where is the problem? Is it in the formation and capacity building systems including universities and schools? What about quality? • How can the transfer and localization of knowledge contribute in addressing unemployment? Will the “knowledge society” generate more jobs? What is the impact on the youth? How can we address anticipated changes in the labor market? • How can we stimulate work environments in the Arab region to facilitate effective youth participation in the knowledge transfer