RAS AL KHAIMAH // Three UAE-based think tanks have been listed among the best in the Mena region, in the University of Pennsylvania’s 2014 Global Go To Think Tank Index Report.
Out of 55 organisations, the Emirates Centre for Strategic Studies and Research came in at 21, followed by the Economic Policy and Research Centre, which was 35th, and the Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi Foundation for Policy Research, in 50th place.
Dr Natasha Ridge, the head of research at the Al Qasimi Foundation, said such recognition was crucial for the UAE.
“Being recognised by the Think Tank and Civil Societies Programme is significant because the rankings provide us with a benchmark to evaluate ourselves in relation to other regional institutions. It helps to highlight both our accomplishments and our opportunities for development.
“Having an education think tank from the UAE rank among the top regional research bodies gives external credibility to the UAE as a research hub for the region.”
Dr Hilda Freimuth, a senior lecturer at Khalifa University in Abu Dhabi, said the role of education was vital to the UAE’s economic growth.
“Currently the UAE Government’s 2021 Vision document is directing the country’s future development. Here, leaders recognise that for the UAE to become more competitive on the international stage, it must foster a knowledge economy.
“That’s where education comes in, because education is what fuels human capital and leads to innovation.”
mswan@thenational.ae
