Bahrain’s knowledge infrastructure strong: GKI

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Bahrain has been identified as a strong performer in terms of its knowledge infrastructure by the latest Global Knowledge Index (GKI) 2020, which ranks 138 countries around the world. 

Ranked fifth amongst Middle Eastern nations and fourth amongst Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, Bahrain was placed 43rd out of 138 countries worldwide and 41st out of the 56 countries with very high human development. 

Produced annually since 2017, GKI tracks the performance of countries in seven areas namely: pre-university education, technical and vocational education and training, higher education, research, development and innovation, information and communications technology, economy and the general enabling environment. 

The index aims at providing a systematic tool for guiding and informing policymakers, researchers, civil society and the private sector to collaborate on different aspects of policies to foster knowledge-based societies and bridge knowledge gaps.

Dubai’s Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation (MBRF) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) jointly produce the index. 

According to Achim Steiner of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), “The overall results of the GKI 2020 confirm an urgent and global need for increased investment in R&D and innovation as a means to advance the frontiers of knowledge for sustainable development.

In particular, addressing knowledge gaps in areas like the digital economy will be crucial to accelerate our collective efforts to transition to a zero-carbon future that protects and restores nature.”  UAE ranked 15th globally has the highest rank among Arab countries.

Closely following UAE in the GCC is Qatar and Saudi Arabia in the second and third spots.  Enjoying the top position on the index globally is Switzerland, with the US pushing down Finland by a rank to take the second spot.

Chad holds the lowest rank on the 2020 index. In the economy category, Bahrain is ranked 39th globally, 53rd in pre-university education, 54th in higher education and 29th in Technical and Vocational Education and Training.