(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) Under the slogan Empowering Future Generations the-first-of-its-kind conference in the region centred on the major role of knowledge in renaissance and growth.
Shaikh Mohammed Shaikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Deputy Ruler of Dubai; Shaikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Chairman of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation; and Lt-General Dhahi Khalfan Tamim Deputy Chairman of Dubai Police and Public Security; at the opening session of the first Knowledge Conference at the Grand Hyatt Dubai.— KT photos by Rahul Gajjar
With knowledge noted as the pillar of a nation’s progress and development experts say the backbone of any country’s success lies within its youth.
“This is a call to invest in the skills and creativity of the young. We can do this by focusing on education both in schools and universities and through research centres” Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation’s (MBRF) Managing Director Jamal bin Huwaireb said during the opening session of the UAE’s first Knowledge Conference on Sunday.
Under the slogan ‘Empowering Future Generations’ the-first-of-its-kind conference in the region centred on the major role of knowledge in renaissance and growth. “Those who don’t know cannot be matched to those that know” and Huwaireb said during his speech.
The consensus among all participating speakers on day one was that information has become a tool for measuring power and excellence. And with knowledge noted as the basic pillar for advancement it’s the youth who can help shape a country’s future.
“We will have a completely different future thanks to knowledge” Huwaireb said. “A much stronger one.”
Also championing the impact that youth can have on a nation’s knowledge economy was emphasised upon by Dr Khaled Al Hashash founder and president of the Association of Islamic Economics.
Dr Tayeb Kamali Peter Stokes and Dr Khaled Al Hashash during the first session of the inaugural Knowledge Conference in Dubai on Sunday. — KT photos by Rahul Gajjar
“Countries need to use the energy that exists within the youth.”
Deputy Dean of the University of Chester Business School Professor Peter Stokes also further reiterated the power of a nation’s people.
Ban Ki-moon’s message
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s personal address to Shaikh Mohammed (some extracts):
“(It is great to see) the transfer of knowledge in the Arab region. I applaud the UAE for its achievements in this field particularly its success in education innovation and information and communication technology. The UAE is also serving as a leader in promoting knowledge across the Arab States region and the world in particular through its collaboration on the Arab Knowledge Report.
“People across the Arab region yearn for justice…Young people are especially eager to claim their rights and particularly productive employment. I fully harness the region’s potential and to fully harness this it will be essential to ensure gender equality and the empowerment of women. Armed with knowledge women can influence their families societies and future generations”.
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“A knowledge economy is fiction without the individual taking action. We know knowledge exists but it’s about utilising it correctly” he said.
Categorising today’s generations into “X Y and Z” Stokes said it is the job of international and regional knowledge influencers to “educate generation Z”.
“Generation X is made up of the post-war baby boomers — people like me. Generation Y is made up of people who were born in the 70s and 80s right at the dawn of big technology. But generation Z are the digital natives. They are the ones we need to focus on.”
Also speaking at the first session titled: ‘The transition towards knowledge-based economy between theory and reality’ vice-chancellor of the Higher Colleges of Technology Dr Tayeb Kamali said there is a real need for Arab countries to adopt the tools of technology to expedite the learning abilities of students. With this a thriving knowledge-based economy can be reached.
Power of Knowledge
With the majority of the world – more than 60 per cent - still not “connected” World Wide Web inventor Sir Tim Berners-Lee said those who are connected are “empowered”.
“We have the responsibility to bring the web to those that don’t have it. People who are connected have so much more power” Berners-Lee said and with power comes change. “One of the most important thing is to celebrate access to knowledge.”
MBRF Award
The First Knowledge Conference in Dubai was held under the patronage of His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai and organised by the MBRF.
On Sunday the first award from MBRF was awarded to Berners-Lee and Wikipedia co-founder Jimmy Wales.
Carrying a cash prize of $1 million it is noted as the highest such monetary award in the UAE to date. — kellykhaleejtimes.com