TRANSITION INTO A
KNOWLEDGE BASED
ECONOMY IN QATAR
THE ROLE OF ENGINEERING AND ENGINEERING
EDUCATION
Reem Khair, Mazen Hasna, and Mahmoud Abdulwahed*
Qatar University
*Presenter
World Engineering Education Forum 2012
Overview
: Introduction

KBE definitions
 Knowledge Based Economies
 The Role of Science, Engineering, and Technology in KBEs

: The Case of Qatar’s Economy

The Current Status of Qatar’s Economy
 Regional and International Comparison
 Transformation in Engineering and Engineering Education for
a KBE in Qatar
 Initial Outcomes of Transformation in Engineering Education


: Conclusion
What is KBE
“economies which are directly based on the production,
distribution and use of knowledge and information”
OECD, 1996
“Knowledge-Based Economy as an economy in which the
production, distribution, and use of knowledge is the
main driver of growth, wealth creation and employment
across all industries”
APEC, 2000
How to measure KBE

Various international organizations provided an
assessment framework for measuring KBEs
readiness
 Common
pillars among all frameworks can be
categorized by:
 Business
Environment
 ICT Infrastructure
 Human Resources Development
 Innovation Systems
Transition to a KBE

Many countries from different parts of the world
have developed successful strategies for
transforming to KBEs.
 Such
as Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Netherlands,
Norway, Singapore, United States and Canada.

For all successful experiences which vary upon
countries nature and prosperity, the key transition
driver remains one for all
The Role of Science, Engineering,
and Technology in KBEs


Knowledge Based Iundustries have critical role in
building KBE.
Both services and manufacturing industries are
considered as KBIs

Such as communication/port services, finance services,
business services, education, healthcare, manufacturing of
refined petroleum products, manufacturing of chemicals and
chemicals products, manufacturing of machinery and
equipment, manufacturing of electrical machinery and
apparatus, manufacturing of electronic products and
components and manufacturing of transport equipment.
(Singapore
Standard Industrial Classification (SSIC) Based on OECD Science, Technology
and Industry Outlook 2000)
The Case of Qatar

Qatar vision 2030 rests on four interrelated pillars:
Economic Pillar


Qatar aims to leverage its economic status by
converting its hydrocarbon-driven economy into a
diversified economy that constitutes for knowledge, and
high value industrial and service activities.
This transformation process is viewed to be done
through the use of wealth generated from the available
natural assets to
widen investments in its infrastructure;
 improve its public services;
 develop a competitive workforce;
 and support both innovative and entrepreneurial initiatives.

Current Status of Qatar’s Economy
is considered the heart of


Qatar’s economy.
Qatar is trying to diversify its resources and
capabilities in multiple directions to enable the
creation and inclusion of
sources of
wealth.
 Latest
2022.
strategic initiatives is hosting FIFA World Cup
International Comparison




At global level, the current status
of Qatar in terms of KEI Rank,
which is a relative global measure,
stands at 54th place with KEI
equals to 5.84.
Qatar is preceded by all of the
Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)
countries except for Kuwait.
For the education index, Qatar
ranks 101 worldwide.
This fact highlights the
in Qatar as a
mean to
.
Top Ten Countries
Country
KEI Rank
Sweden
1
Finland
2
Denmark
3
Netherlands
4
Norway
5
New
Zealand
6
Canada
7
Germany
8
Australia
9
Switzerland
10
KEI
9.43
9.33
9.16
9.11
9.11
8.97
8.92
8.9
8.88
8.87
Source: KAM 2012 report , World Bank Institute
Education for a KBE in Qatar

With no doubt, education is viewed as
a vital engine for the production of KBE’s skills and
competencies.
 a key source for the generation of both derivative and
breakthrough ideas.


In particular, science, engineering and technology
fields are viewed as the areas of focus due to their
inclusive nature.

Specialized knowledge in areas such as chemistry, biology,
finance, communication, networking, engineering, and
information technology can be employed in
and can help in
Undergraduate Programs








Civil
Chemical
Electrical
Mechanical
Industrial and Systems
Computer
Computer Science
Architecture
All ABET Accredited till 2016
Strategic Initiatives

At the college level:
 Significant
expanding in R&D activities in research
priority areas as key contributors to a KBE
 Deployment of new constructivist teaching and learning
methods
 Such
as Research Based Learning (RBL) as an extracurriculum activity and Project Based Learning (PBL)
 Engineering
outreach activities for high schools to match
the increased demand on engineers.
 Such
as the Life is Engineering Program (LIEP) starting from
2009 and the Computing Competition starting from 2011.
Graduate Programs








Master of
Master of
Master of
Master of
Master of
Master of
Master of
Science in Computing
Urban Planning and Design
Science in Engineering Management
Science in Environmental Engineering
Science in Electrical Engineering.
Science in Civil Engineering.
Science in Mechanical Engineering.
PhD in 12 Disciplines, FIRST IN QATAR! Affiliated with
UCL.
Life is Engineering





Program to attract
Qataris to engineering.
Focus on male students
in high schools.
Students compete to
build cars and race in
Lusail circuit.
Has been running for
three years.
Funded by leading
industries.
Industrial Partnership
New Research Centers

The Kindi Research Laboratories
The KINDI Lab has the following three research themes;




Information Intelligence;
Distributed and Network Systems
Smart Design.
Qatar Road Safety Studies Center (QRS2C)
The mission of the center is to create and disseminate knowledge related to road safety and
accidents prevention by conducting studies, research and analysis and evaluation of road
accidents in order to identify the root causes of accidents and critical factors that have a
major effect on accidents reduction. The center has the following research themes;



Road Engineering and Environment
Road User Behavioral Change
Vehicle Safety and Biomechanics
Initial Outcomes of Transition: Research

Research fund worth over QR 365,000,000

65 % of the faculty members are Research Active

Home to over 65% of the total research fund at QU

Our faculty produced over 1,600 papers

Contribute to over 50% of all QU publications.

Contribute to over 50% of all Qatar indexed publications in RE

We contribute to about 70 % of total publications in MSE in Qatar

Collaboration with over 70 Universities worldwide

CENG faculty members won all QU Research Awards
Initial Outcomes of Transition: Students





The first and second places in the “GCC Engineering Students
Design Competition 2012”.
The second place in "The poster competition" in The 3rd
International Gas Processing Symposium that was organized by
GPC at Qatar University from 5 to 7 March 2012.
The first Place in “The Microsoft Imagine Cup Competition
2012”.
The first place in the “Student Poster Contest in IEEE PES T&D
Conference and Expo 2012 Orlando, FL, USA “ May,2012.
Leading places in the Shell Eco-Marathon event in Malaysia
2012.
Initial Outcomes of Transition: Students





The best research paper and presentation in the “Energy
Category” in Qatar Foundation Annual Research Forum 2011.
The third place in RasGas Star Competition 2011, first place in
2012.
The Computing award during Qatar Foundation Annual
Research Forum 2011.
The first place in the Shell Case Study Competition 2011 &
2012.
The first place in “The Fifth Engineering Student Gathering” that
took place at Sultan Qaboos University from 1-3 April,2012
Future Plans






Qatari Engineer for 2030
QU CubeSat
International Journal for Undergraduate Research
CENG Consultation Center
Engineering Week.
Book on Engineering and Engineering Education in
the Middle East.
Conclusion



Engineering and technology are the core of
achieving a KBE.
the current status of Qatar’s economy is heavily
relying on oil and gas.
International benchmarking exercises have shown
that KBI index in Qatar is significantly low in
international standards, in particular when it comes
to education.
Conclusion

In response to this, the College of Engineering at Qatar
University has responded in various ways.
R&D activities have been the focus of the college strategic
plan over the past few years; research was integrated with
undergraduate education mainly through the UREP program.
 A number of MSc and PhD programs in different areas of
engineering and computing have been established.
 Outreach activities on K-12 level were developed and
successfully deployed.
 Very recently, new proposal on establishing an engineering
education center was submitted for necessary approvals.
 Engineering curriculum at CENG will undergo a
comprehensive review during the next three years.
