New statistic survey promotes the leadership of Qatar in scientific research and creativity

International experts agreed that the actions taken by Qatar Statistics Authority (QSA), in cooperation with Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development (Qatar Foundation) and UNESCO Institute for Statistics in implementation of statistic survey to monitor the inputs of researches and development by the beginning of the next year, to provide accurate and precise information that contribute in fulfillment of the requirements of “Qatar Research and Development Strategy 2012″, is a landmark towards promotion of awareness with the activities related to research and development in all state organizations in Qatar.

Attending the workshop of indicators on science, technology and creativity in GCC countries hosted by QSA two days ago, the experts noted that preparation for the survey is already launched since last June 2012 and the workshop is a second phase, while the substantial data collection phase will be launched by January 2013.

The experts disclosed to “Al Arab” that implementation of the survey for the first time in Qatar will contribute in solving several data problems in various organizations in relation to the field of scientific research and creativity. In addition, the survey will help in proper decision-making within said organizations, particularly as QSA prepares to implement the survey upon precise scientific base, and has recruited specialized experts to complete the process of data review by March 2013.

The above actions are within course of expectations for announcement of the research and development strategy during an event for this purpose intended to be held during the period from 21 to 23 October 2012.

Volume of Expenditure

The statistics of research and development advisor, Michael, South Africa national, working in the position of advisor in QSA for the purpose of the survey, and representative of UNESCO Institute for Statistics in the workshop, has emphasized that the survey will provide more information about the activities of research and development in Qatar Universities, Qatar Foundation, in addition to the public and private sectors, besides information about the number of researchers, volume of expenditure on research and development in research centers and universities.

As regards the reasons for the survey, Michael noted that the objective is to identity the various activities related to scientific research and development process in Qatar over all organizations specified by the controllers of the survey. He said: “also the volume of expenditure and qualified researchers in the field of scientific research will also be identified”.

Qatar leadership in Scientific Research and Creativity

As regards expenditure, Michael noted that it is a very critical issue when ic comes to calculating expenditure in comparison to the GDP, especially considering the progress of Qatar in this field through 2.8% of GDP for scientific research. Through the survey, the volume of expenditure and compatibility with international indicators will be identified, besides identify the need for or sufficiency of expenditure, as these information is unknown up to date either in Qatar or in GCC countries. Thus, Qatar will take the lead in this regard.

Strong Motif

Michael believes that implementation of the survey for the first time in Qatar by QSA will be a strong motif for the field of scientific research, particularly with the confidentiality of information which will be provided by all research organizations and that all conclusions from the survey will be inclusive property for QSA.

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Proper Planning

Michael continued: “the new survey will provide precise information for planning and will promote awareness of government with scientific research, development activities, in addition to the needs of scientific research organizations and universities, which will enhance and promote the capacities of these organizations for proper planning in terms of management of research and development in Qatar.

He noted that the survey is still under study up to January 2013, then data collection phase will launched for three months, followed by data processing for other three months, as completion of the survey will be around March 2013.

Commencement of Work in the Survey

On his part, Martin Schaaper, Science, Technology and Creativity expert, UNESCO Institute for Statistics, Dutch national, has emphasized that the workshop organized by QSA on the indicators of science, technology and creativity in GCC countries is a firm start for the subject of the survey in orientation to the concept of research and development on the national level. He said: “there are proven concepts with OECD will be used in the subject of survey such as Oslo Manual and Frascati Manual”.

Transfer of Methodology

Mr. Schaaper believes that the objective of the survey is to transfer this methodology to GCC countries through Qatar, as a first GCC country implements the survey, which matter will motivate other GCC countries to collect information about technology.

He said: “Statistics authorities collect data to decision-makers prior to making critical decisions with the aim of building the policies of creativity, innovation, research and development”.

Technical Services

Mr. Schapper has emphasized that the new survey intended to be implemented in Qatar, in cooperation with experts, advisors and UNESCO Institute for Statistics will provide technical service for QSA that will help in implementation of the survey in precise and accurate scientific method for outcome of accurate data. He said: “we collect accurate data for decision-makers in the field of research and development to cope with the field in terms of science, research and development strategy in Qatar which will be launched by the current month October 2012″.

Preparation of Scientific Strategy

Dr. Ahmed Hussein, Statistics Expert in QSA has emphasized that the workshop will contribute in coordination of research and development process and its concepts. In addition, it will foreshadow light on the meaning and concept of research and development and its benefit in carrying out the national survey planned by QSA. He said: “data will be collected and we will help planners, particularly research and creativity policies makers, to prepare scientific strategy and take proper decisions, especially with the fact of Qatar leadership in the field”.

Qatar …Leader of Scientific Research

Dr. Hussein continued that Qatar allocates 2.8% of GDP to education and scientific research which highlights leadership in this field. Thus, the survey will provide information about expenditure, number of workers in the field of scientific research and development in universities and research centers, as well as the public and private sectors. In addition, it will provide useful information for the new national strategy for scientific research, which will be announced this month October 2012.

QSA and the National Strategy

Mr. Sultan Ali Al Kuwari, Director of Population & Social Statistics in QSA has emphasized that the survey will be within the course of QSA strategy to provide all necessary information for all, particularly with the announcement of the national strategy within few days this month October 2012 in special event for this purpose. He said: “QSA should be in line with the national strategy to provide precise information through the survey”.

Mr. Al Kuwari noted that the workshop organized by QSA is among preparations for the survey, and substantial data collection will be launched by January 2013 up to March 2013 to be completed and have conclusions. He added: “at the present time we are consulting advisors and experts about the application form of the survey, interpretation, mechanism and time limit. Then, data collection will be made through e-mails by March 2013 to provide analytical report at the end of the survey”.

Annual Survey

Mr. Al Kuwari believes that the survey is agreed to be on an annual basis later on through start with this one and there is diligence to make use of the experts in the field and exchange experiences with GCC countries through the workshop. He noted that the substantial commencement of work in the survey was launched in June 2012 through communication with local authorities concerned with the issue, then study and preparation for the survey is made through the workshop, which is considered the second phase, and will be followed by data collection phase by January 2013 as third phase, and finally it is expected that the fourth and final phase will be by next March 2013.

40 Specialists Participate in the Workshop

It is noteworthy that above 40 specialists from GCC countries and foreign experts participate in the workshop on indicators of science, technology and creativity in GCC countries closes today at Four Seasons Hotel, with participation of UNESCO Institute for Statistics, QSA and UNESCO Office in Doha.

source: Al Arab Newspaper