Page 405 - Special Topic Session (STS) - Volume 4

STS2320 Mohamed A I.
Al Maktoum Foundation (2015) launched the first Arab initiative to
build six composite indicators to measure the state of knowledge in
the Arab region from a development perspective, while focusing on
the sectors of education; economy; ICT; and research, development
and innovation (RDI). United Nations Development Programme and
Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation (2016) released the
second version of the Arab Knowledge Index, alongside a special index
on reading in the Arab region as a knowledge-related component.

2. Methodology
Due to the multidimensional nature of knowledge, a composite index was
constructed consisting of six sectoral sub-indices. Composite indices allow for
a single value that gives a fuller picture of the phenomenon being measured,
especially if this phenomenon is multidimensional as in this case. Composite
measurements also better reflect possible connections between different
dimensions and their internal interactions, and allow for standard comparisons
between countries.
The structure of the GKI covers the most important dimensions of
development. The sectoral indices that form the pillars of the GKI are: (1)pre-
university education; (2)technical vocational education and training (TVET); (3)
higher education; (4) research, development and innovation (RDI); (5)
information and communications technology (ICT); (6) economy. A seventh
pillar was added to support the sectoral indices, as these sectors do not
operate in isolation from their surroundings, but rather in a space governed
by a range of contextual factors—political, socio-economic, health-related and
environmental. Each of these seven indices was constructed in accordance
with standard international methodologies for the design of composite
indicators, OECD (2008).
The GKI is structured with a hierarchy of five levels: index, constituting
indices (also referred to as sectoral indices), pillars, sub-pillars and variables.
Each of the six sectoral indices has a weight of 15 percent, while the general
enabling environment has a weight of 10 percent.

Selection of variables
The selection of variables (individual variables) included in the construction
of each of the seven indices was based on a well-defined scientific
methodology drawn from an extensive review of relevant local and
international literature, as well as the experiences and concepts of
international organizations and agencies. It also relied on an intensive
consultation process that engaged experts -from different countries, including
Canada, Egypt, Jordan, the UAE, the United Kingdom and the United States-
each of them specialized in fields related to the sectors of the GKI. Experts
expressed their agreement, rejection or proposed additions or amendments

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