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Malek Helali
Doha
THE findings of the Research & Development Survey conducted by Qatar Foundation Research and Development (QF R&D) and the Ministry of Development Planning and Statistics (MDPS) have revealed an increase in Gross Expenditure on Research and Development (GERD) as a proportion of Qatar's overall GDP.
According to the survey, applied research, concerning the practical application of science, accounted for 57 percent of total expenditure while more than two-thirds of GERD was being directed to the higher education sector. Engineering & Technology received the most public funding.
The survey also revealed that Qataris hold almost 20 percent of research and development positions in the country. This includes 11 percent of researcher roles, among a total R&D workforce of 4,720.
The QF R&D and the MDPS jointly organised a workshop on the findings of the Research & Development Survey of Qatar at the Qatar National Convention Centre on Tuesday.
Some of the other key findings of the survey stated that Qataris represented the highest increase of researchers by nationality at sectoral level between 2012 and 2015, and that Qatar's domestic expenditure on research and development is reflected in its good position within the Global Competitiveness Index and Global Innovation Index.
The survey was conducted following a memorandum of understanding between MDPS and QF R&D in March 2016, designed to establish a statistical system for measuring R&D inputs in Qatar.
The survey, which focused on research and development inputs in 2015, follows the first Research & Development Survey of Qatar in 2012, which provided information about Qatar's R&D inputs.
Future surveys are expected to have an expanded scope, also focusing on R&D outputs, outcomes and impact, as well as innovation. The joint workshop also emphasised the significance of conducting an innovation survey in Qatar across all sectors.
"The QF R&D is delighted to have partnered with the Ministry of Development Planning and Statistics on this survey, the findings of which are immensely valuable in assessing where Qatar's research and development effort stands, and in defining its future strategy," said Dr Frans Van Den Boom, executive director, Policy, Planning and Evaluation (PPE), QF R&D.
The official added that the second edition of this survey has been a truly collaborative effort, engaging R&D stakeholders across all sectors who have recognised the importance of such combined information, analysis and insight, and whose support has been instrumental to the success of this exercise.
The Business Planning and Performance Manager of the PPE Nada al Olaqi said:"The comprehensive and wide-ranging nature of this survey and the extent of participation across the nation's research and development community has made it the first true baseline analysis of Qatar's R&D inputs from investment levels to workforce numbers and demographics."
"It enhances understanding, visibility, and our capacity to further develop a research and development ecosystem that generates impact for Qatar. The findings will be essential to assessing our nation's R&D performance and supporting our leaders and policy-makers in identifying areas that require strategic focus and action, while also enabling Qatar's R&D efforts to be benchmarked against those of other nations."
Mohammed al Muhannadi, director, Department of Population and Social Statistics, MDPS, said:"Research and development is fundamental to Qatar successfully transitioning to a sustainable, diversified economy, and this is reflected by the nation's significant investment in this area."
"With such investment comes the imperative to identify, analyse and understand the extent and nature of Qatar's R&D inputs, and we hope that the findings of this survey will provide valuable insight and bring great benefit to Qatar's R&D community, stakeholders and policymakers. We extend our gratitude to all participants in this survey, whose diligence, engagement and expertise has made the collation of such vital data possible."
"Governments, policymakers and R&D stakeholders around the world have recognised the value of such surveys in developing their understanding of their research and development ecosystems and Qatar's commitment to research and innovation as a means of economic diversification makes this survey an essential tool for the nation," said Professor Michael Kahn of the Centre for Research on Evaluation, Science and Technology, Stellenbosch University, South Africa, and the survey advisor."Research and development is intangible by nature, but this exercise has produced tangible findings that support decision-making while also enabling knowledge interchange between Qatar's R&D stakeholders," Professor Kahn added.
