MUSCAT: The State Council on Monday hosted officials from The Research Council (TRC) connected with the implementation of the National Strategy for Innovation at the Nahda Hall of Council of Oman.
Present at the event were Dr Khalid bin Salem Al Saidi, Secretary General of the State Council, Dr Hilal bin Ali Al Hinai, Secretary-General of The Research Council, Sayyid Dr Fahad bin Aljulanda al Said, Assistant Secretary-General of the Innovation Development Department of The Research Council, Dr Sharifa bint Hamoud Al Harthiyah, senior planning and studies specialist at TRC and head of the National Innovation Strategy Project and members from the Council.
Dr Khalid welcomed the leaders of The Research Council who are implementing the National innovation Strategy.
He said that the Council’s hosting of The Research Council officials comes within the framework of the Council’s concern to host those involved in a number of institutions and bodies to highlight their actions and contributions in various fields.
Scientific research had become increasingly important in today’s world, and its role in the advancement of nations had grown, and their development paths based on scientific methodology, based on knowledge and innovation, had been strengthened.
TRC is the government body for the development and promotion of research and innovation in the Sultanate, the development of strategies that encourages creativity, and stimulate research talents that contribute to the service of society and promote the prosperity of the nation.
The National Strategy for Scientific Research had been adopted to provide a basis for plans to achieve comprehensive, scientifically based development that met the needs of the present and was responsive to the requirements of the future.
Subsequently, Dr Hilal bin Ali al Hinai initiated the presentation by emphasising the importance of scientific research, noting the scientific research strategy has been prepared using successful international experiences with the aim of creating a creative system that responds to local requirements global trends, promoting social cohesion and leading to innovation and scientific excellence.
He drew attention to the success of some states in recruiting scientific research for development and raising the standard of living through the development of an effective science and technology system that would ensure a more competitive capacity for production and services contribute to the creation of new jobs and ensure higher productivity for the individual.
In order for the Scientific Research Council to achieve its objective, it was imperative to create an effective national innovation system and a harmonious system of innovation, explaining that the strategy was aimed at creating a national system governed by a unified vision and a clearly defined policy to achieve specific objectives declared priorities are implemented through an informed operational plan.
The importance of coherence and co-ordination among the various components of the innovative system should be highlighted in a common vision to ensure their success.
Dr Sharifa bint Hamoud Al Harthiyah, reviewed a number of aspects of the strategy, explaining that its vision is based on the achievement of a national economy based on innovation through an effective national innovation system for sustainable development.
The Sultanate will be among the top 20 innovation leaders by 2040, and among the top 40 innovation-led nations by 2020.
The leadership of innovation has indicated that a leading educational system, research and innovative capacity and a workforce with efficiency, the ability to transfer and resettle knowledge and technology, the presence of foreign direct investment and the leadership of private sector enterprises.
Noting that one of the most important catalysts of the climate is the existence of smart digital services, appropriate financing for research and development, innovation, effective government performance and harmonious policies.
Dr Sharifa reviewed the governance structure of the draft strategy, consisting of the Steering Committee, the oversight committee and the quality assurance team, as well as four technical teams.
They also addressed the respective functions of these committees and teams, explaining the steps taken and the efforts made by the various task forces with the participation of governmental, private and civil society.
She indicated that the Sultanate ranked 39 in the index of institutions according to the International Innovation Index of 2017 and which includes a number of sub-indicators including the efficiency of government performance, legislative environment and the business environment.
The Sultanate was ranked 67 in the government’s efficiency index, but in the legislative environment the Sultanate achieved a good rank.
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