ADEC organises research development workshop

The Abu Dhabi Education Council, ADEC, has organised a workshop on designing and evaluating research and development programmes (R'&'D) in collaboration with Stanford Research Institute, SRI. The move comes in line with ADEC's higher education strategic plan that seeks to improve the quality of higher education, raise it on a par with global standards and shift into an economy that relies on creativity and innovation, in addition to the establishment of an integrated system of scientific research. Dr. Arif Al-Hammadi, Executive Director of Higher Education, said that ADEC is looking forward to establishing an integrated system for scientific research that would support a knowledge-based economy. He added that this requires the use of global experience and expertise in specific industries that could contribute to improving the quality of higher education in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. "The strategic plan aims to enhance higher education outcomes to keep pace with international standards and meet Abu Dhabi's social, cultural and economic needs. Moreover, it aims to establish an integrated system of scientific research that would provide an opportunity for qualified students to attend institutions of higher education," he added. Mr. Al-Hammadi pointed out that this workshop would contribute to knowledge and research exchange with an eminent global research institute and take advantage of relevant work experience with research funding bodies and different types of grant programs for research and development. During the workshop, a number of important topics in the areas of funding scientific research were discussed, including basics of science and technology, innovation policy, assessment of strengths and weakness in national innovation institutes, development of R'&'D programs to meet national requirements, methods of selecting R'&'D projects and outcomes assessment tools.