Organisation of Islamic Cooperation
The Collective Voice of The Muslim World
Date: 03/10/2010
Joint Management Team Meeting Istanbul – 3-4 October 2010 Distinguished representatives of the Royal Society, International Development Research Center (IRDC), the Qatar Foundation, British Council, Center for Development of Industrial Technology of Spain, Nature SESRIC, IDB, COMSTECH and ISESCO, Distinguished members of the Joint Management Team Ladies and Gentlemen, I am pleased to chair this very important second meeting of the Joint Management Team. I thank all the partners and Member States for making the effort to be here and to be involved in the project on the Atlas of Islamic World Innovation. I congratulate the Royal Society on its 350th anniversary and thank them for inviting me as one of the keynote speakers at the Wilton Park Conference on science and technology earlier this year. I have taken a careful note of the briefings given to me on the status of the Atlas project as well as the proceedings of the meetings held yesterday. I compliment all concerned for the progress made so far. Ladies and gentlemen, The Atlas project is very close to my heart not only because of my natural interest in the subject as a former scientist and historian of science but also because of the fact that the Atlas project is one of the essential elements in the process of realization of the objectives embodied in the OIC Ten Year Programme of Action as well as the Vision 1441 for Science and Technology adopted by the Tenth Islamic Summit. Both the Ten Year Programme of Action and Vision 1441 are based on the realization of the fact that the achievement of the development goals of the Ummah in any area of human endeavour cannot be possible without re-dedicating ourselves to attaining excellence in science and technology. For this to happen, it will be crucial to have a realistic plan founded on accurate assessment, foresight and planning. The Atlas of the Islamic World Innovation can serve as an important reference guide on key trends and trajectories in science and technology-based innovation in the OIC Member States. Development of science and technology in the OIC Member States hinges on the existence of some necessary foundations, such as existing expertise, infrastructure, human resource, quality of scientific curricula, policies and programmes and scientific and technical potentials. The Atlas will play a very crucial role in analyzing all these factors and exploring the relationships between science, innovation, faith, culture and politics. This in turn will help in identifying new opportunities for collaboration between scientists, policymakers and companies in the Islamic World and the world at large . It will also create new networks for the exchange of ideas, policies and good practices both within and between the Islamic World and the world at large. I am eagerly looking forward to the launch of the first country report on Malaysia at the forthcoming 5th Islamic Conference of Higher Education and Scientific Research Ministers on 19-21 October in Kuala Lumpur. It is my hope that the work on reports for all other countries included in the pilot phase will also be completed expeditiously. Distinguished members of the Joint Management Team, I am grateful to the British Council, IDRC, IDB, Center for Development of Industrial Technology of Spain and Qatar Foundation for their contributions and look forward to their continued engagement and interest in the project. I urge other potential donors and interested organizations to consider providing the necessary financing for the project. The pilot phase of the Atlas project is the most critical phase as it will help in determining best methods and refinements to be made in order to ensure consistency in approaches to country reports and their conformity with international standards. It is the responsibility of the project managers to ensure the timely and proper conduct of country assessments in collaboration with the national focal points and research partners. In this connection I also urge the concerned Member States to actively engage in the process and address any issues which could cause unnecessary hindrance in the effective and timely completion of country studies. To me, the process of development of the Atlas is as important as the final product since the credibility and acceptability of the final product will hinge on the methodologies adopted in the process of preparation of the Atlas. I urge the project managers and the Project Steering Group to ensure that the surveys are conducted in manner so as to involve all concerned in conducting studies and surveys. This endeavor should include key institutions like universities, government agencies, research centers, think tanks, non-governmental organizations, private businesses, science parks, entrepreneurial agencies etc. so as to access all available data and to assess its accuracy. This will also enhance public interest in the Atlas in the concerned countries and foster a sense of ownership in the project – a crucial factor for ensuring follow up on the recommendations at the national level. The project managers and the Project Steering Group must impart appropriate skills and build capacities of science and innovation analysts at the national level in the concerned countries. This will enable them to be effectively utilized for continued monitoring of the progress on the implementation of recommendations of the Atlas and also for more in depth future assessments of the same nature. The skilled cadre thus created will also be available as potential partners for future collaborative research endeavours between the OIC countries and the West. Finally, it will not just be sufficient to produce a high quality product without the necessary outreach and follow up activities to raise public awareness and draw the attention of the policy makers at the national levels towards the recommendations of the Atlas. Without necessary follow up on the recommendations of the Atlas, the job will be half done. I urge the Project Steering Group to also plan appropriate follow up in the form of awareness raising events and outreach activities such as workshops, seminars and media discussions in order to draw attention of the civil society, private sector and policy makers to the findings of the Atlas. I would like to end by reiterating once again the significance of the Atlas project for the OIC Member States and appealing to all concerned to step up their efforts for the early completion of the project. I will be closely following the progress and will be happy to facilitate the resolution of any outstanding issues through the use of my good offices. Thank you
