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Launch of the national guide to measuring R&D spending in the public sector – News
The guide aims to support the R&D ecosystem and boost the UAE’s global competitiveness; The guide developed in partnership with 17 federal and local government entities
The Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technologies (MoIAT), in partnership with 17 local and federal entities, on Saturday launched the national guide for measuring research and development (R&D) spending in the public sector.
The initiative was launched as part of the Government Accelerator Program, which aims to enable a knowledge-based economy that preserves national achievements and paves the way for sectors of the future.
The main objective of the guide is to enable federal and local government entities in the United Arab Emirates to accurately capture R&D expenditure in the public sector and to unify data collection methodologies at the national level using consistent universal metrics. to international standards. Additionally, the guide aims to raise awareness at all levels of government of the importance and impact of capturing R&D spending on the existing science and technology ecosystem in the UAE.
In addition to the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technologies (MoIAT) and the Federal Center for Competitiveness and Statistics (FCSC), the entities involved in the development of the guide were the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Finance , the Ministry of Health and Prevention, the Ministry of Climate Change. and Environment, Ministry of Economy, Ministry of Defense and Ministry of Interior, as well as Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc), Department of Education and Knowledge – Abu Dhabi, Statistics Center – Abu Dhabi, Dubai Statistics Center, Department of Statistics and Community Development – Sharjah, Ajman Statistics and Competitiveness Center, Executive Council – Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah Center for Statistics and Studies and Fujairah Statistics Center.
Strategic support
Sarah bint Yousif Al Amiri, UAE Minister of State for Advanced Technology, noted that the guide aligns with the strategic directions of UAE leaders to transform the country into an influential international force in the field of science and technology. The guide will help unify the measurement of R&D activities in the UAE and capture R&D efforts in all sectors, especially in the public sector.
“The guide is part of the development of an integrated system to effectively govern and coordinate R&D activities, in line with the objectives of the 300 billion operation, to further strengthen the flourishing domestic industrial sector. It also supports the country’s efforts to strengthen the R&D ecosystem in all sectors, in order to elevate the UAE as a productive global hub for science and technology, ”she said.
Al Amiri added that this guide will provide a platform to measure inputs to the R&D ecosystem, which helps to determine the effectiveness of UAE investments in relation to R&D results, because accurate data and l Evidence-based policy making is crucial to ensure the effectiveness of future national R&D. programs and initiatives, which would help strengthen the regional and global stature of the United Arab Emirates.
Tools to innovate
Hussain bin Ibrahim Al Hammadi, Minister of Education, said that the launch by the MoIAT of the National Guide to Measuring R&D Expenditures in the Public Sector, in collaboration with the Federal Center for Competitiveness and Statistics and 16 local entities and Federal of the United Arab Emirates, is a pioneering step in aligning with government guidelines to develop modern tools that encourage innovation in various fields.
He explained how the guide is a step in the right direction to establish a benchmark and highlight the importance of research and development in institutional work across the UAE. It also gives officials access to real data on spending in an area that is essential for strengthening competitiveness.
He added that scientific research is essential for a competitive knowledge-based economy. Therefore, the guide presents 12 key indices for measuring the competitiveness of the UAE’s knowledge-based economy, with five of the indices linked directly or indirectly to scientific research.
Al Hammadi noted that the United Arab Emirates believes that scientific research and government development is a pillar of the United Arab Emirates centenary 2071. Scientific research is a key part of the teaching curriculum in the United Arab Emirates, and there is has a growing interest in taking it forward and transforming schools and universities into research and innovation centers.
Innovative solutions
For his part, Hanan Mansour Ahli, Acting Director of the Federal Center for Competitiveness and Statistics, said that research and development is one of the most effective ways to find innovative solutions to various challenges at national level and international, because these solutions contribute to exceptional achievements. which benefits everyone
“We at the Federal Center for Competitiveness and Statistics are proud of our partnership with the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technologies to provide the national guide for measuring R&D spending in the public sector in a standard way”, she declared.
Ahli said this approach aims to establish a unified definition of the concept of research and development and enable federal and local government entities to accurately monitor spending on R&D activities by unifying the method of data collection in accordance with best practices. international. “This will ensure the quality of the statistical data provided in this area. “
“With guidance from our leaders, the UAE is striving to improve the process of measuring R&D spending in the country in a sustainable manner. In 2018, R&D spending represented 1.3% of GDP, against 0.5% of GDP in 2011, ”she added.
“This improvement will have a positive impact on the country’s ranking in the Global Competitiveness Indices which monitor the volume of R&D spending in different countries, including the Competitiveness Yearbook and the Global Innovation Index. This consolidates the foundations of the UAE’s R&D system and strengthens the country’s position as a beacon of innovation, a leading global destination for future industries and a knowledge-based economy. “
A guide to standards
The implementation of the guide at the national level will make it possible to measure both expenditure and manpower in the fields of R&D, thus giving a clearer picture of the intensity of R&D in the different sectors, and allowing policy makers to prepare the best solutions to current and potential challenges.
The guide consists of two main segments: the first, an explanation and definition of concepts related to R&D activities and their classifications, illustrative examples on types of activities and what constitutes R&D, and standards for R&D. collection and declaration of R&D expenditure and personnel in a government entity. The second is a summary of the instructions issued by the Ministry of Finance, in accordance with the glossary of concepts and terms of the guide, and the classification of R&D activities according to the accounting structure of federal entities registered with the Ministry of Finance, and according to the classification of functions of the government.
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