MBRF and UNDP to Empower Youth with Knowledge Resources

The biggest and boldest technology show in the Middle East and the region’s preeminent event for youth, the 38th GITEX Technology Week taking place October 14-18 in Dubai, will feature the participation of Knowledge4All, a worldwide platform that aims to promote knowledge societies and policies as transformational means to achieve sustainable development.

Providing an up to date perspective on innovation rankings and knowledge capacities of different countries, the “K4All” mobile application developed by Knowlege4All will showcase fresh insights while enabling stakeholders in the technology industry to contribute to the development of products and services by taking informed decisions.

The mobile application, available on both Android and IOS, features a wealth of resources on knowledge and capacity development; these include the Global Knowledge Index (GKI), Arab Knowledge Index and Arab Reading Index. The mobile application provides users with easy access to the results and performance of 131 countries in the Global Knowledge Index, namely on the level of six sectoral indices: Pre-University Education, Technical Vocational Education and Training, Higher Education, Research, Development and Innovation, ICT, and Economy, in addition to a seventh cross-cutting sub-index, i.e. the General Enabling Environment. The data has been collated following a systematic approach that builds on solid conceptual and methodological principles.

The knowledge products feature customizable tools that can help the individual user and the industry at large identify opportunities, flag challenges, and produce accurate and objective data to further support research and product development.

According to the Arab Knowledge Index 2016, the UAE is ranked number one in Research, Development and Innovation in the Arab region with the best policies that support productive activities, job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation, and encourage the formalization and growth of small, and medium enterprises among other factors.  

Users of the K4All mobile app and website can also get specific industry insights from the Global Knowledge Index (GKI) – the only index that measures knowledge on the global level, offering a platform to exchange innovative ideas and expertise. The mobile app and www.knowledge4All.com portal is a bilingual digital hub dedicated to all researchers, professionals, students, stakeholders and the public.

Knwoledge4All, a joint initiative between Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation (MBRF) and UNDP, aims to promote knowledge societies and policies as transformational means to achieve sustainable development. The project contributes to driving active conversations and raise awareness on the importance of knowledge and knowledge-based policies for sustainable development.

“With knowledge4All platform, we are empowering youth with skills that are key to unleashing innovation and creativity, and knowledge is a crucial means to empower people,” said Dr. Hany Torky, Director and Chief Technical Advisor of the Knowledge Project. “The importance of such platforms stems from the central role of knowledge in the development of modern-day societies, and from the deficiency in data and publications about the knowledge scene and its various components. We are certain that it will facilitate and further promote research about knowledge in the Arab region and beyond, thus contributing to sustainable development.”

UNDP and MBRF has built a remarkable partnership throughout the past decade, sharing a vision of promoting knowledge-based sustainable development in the Arab region and beyond, through pioneering projects and initiatives.