The National Innovation Committee (NIC) recently adopted 30 programs and initiaives in the coming three years, so that the UAE is one of the most innovative countries in the world by 2021.
The Committee which is made up of 8 Ministers from the Federal Government, and chairman of the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority, discussed in its first meeting, chaired by Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Gargawi, Minister for Cabinet Affairs, the operational mechanisms for the implementation of the directives of the President of the State to convert the year 2015 to a year of innovation, and a number of national initiatives emanating from it that focus on stimulating innovation in key national sectors, such as renewable and clean energy, transport, health, education, technology, water and space.
Al Gargawi explained that the wise leadership has a clear national vision for UAE in innovation to be among the first globally by 2021, stressing that the Committee would work in the coming period to put this vision into practice through several axes that include the revision of legislation, building incubators for innovation, changing the culture of education in schools and universities and building international partnerships in this area. He added that the Committee will ensure the implementation of the directives of his Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, to consolidate the leadership of government sectors and improve its performance by focusing on innovation and transforming it into a culture and practice in the work of the Government.
Members of the Committee stressed the importance of concerted efforts and to consolidate the national capacities and strengthening cooperation, coordination and exchange of expertise to create a stimulating environment for innovation at the State level so that the UAE will be in international to rankings by 2021, they discussed mechanisms of cooperation and coordination between the Government and the private sectors, universities and scientific research institutions and follow-up on the progress in innovation and its indicators at the State level, in addition to activating the role of the private sector in the area of social and economic contribution to support innovation.
Members of the Committee stressed the importance of focusing on the role of universities, research centers, and higher education in innovation and supporting innovators, and the need to work actively to promote the progress of the State’s position in the innovation index to be among the best countries in the world through presenting the legislation necessary to attract global corporate innovation centers to the UAE, and strengthen the State’s position as a destination for global development and testing innovations.
The meeting was attended by his Excellency Sheikh Hamdan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, his Excellency Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansouri, Minister of Economy, his Excellency Hussain bin Ibrahim Al Hammadi, Minister of Education, his Excellency Suhail bin Mohammed Faraj Faris Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy, his Excellency Obaid bin Humaid Al Tayer, Minister of State for Financial Affairs, his Excellency Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of State and his Excellency Mohamad Ahmad Al Qemzi, Chairman of the TRA Board of Directors.