Research Sector Takes Part in a Workshop on Challenges and Opportunities in Solid Research in GCC Countries

The General Secretariat of the Cooperation Council for the Arab states of the Gulf (GCC countries) organized a workshop entitled “Challenges and Opportunities in Solid Research at GCC Countries” through video conference via Webex. The workshop aimed to review challenges, opportunities, and recommendations to encourage scientific publishing in the field of higher education and scientific research by conducting solid scientific research, in addition to discussing ways to finance scientific research and ensure its continuity. The workshop was held on Tuesday, 17 May 2022 in which Dr. Noriah Al-Kandari, Assistant Vice President for Research Analysis and Development, represented the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research.

The workshop addressed various challenges such as:

1. Elevate scientific research and encourage researchers to publish solid research in accredited international journals at the rate of one scientific research a year.
2. The absence of a unified database among GCC countries containing information on published scientific research and existing research devices.
3. Decreased aspects of research cooperation between GCC countries universities in the field of the exchange of researchers, scientists, and scientific and research competencies.
4. The lack of linking scientific research to society’s needs and main issues.
5. Develop a scientific mechanism to detect predatory journals.

The workshop was concluded with various recommendations which included:

1. Provide valuable material and moral incentives awarded to distinguished researchers when conducting solid research and increase scientific publication activity.
2. Achieve better integration between national policies and government institutions with academic and research institutions in order to increase the effectiveness of research opportunities.
3. Prepare databases that include research conducted by universities and research institutions, provided that these databases are open and available to all research institutions and universities in GCC countries.
4. Strengthen research environment to develop and encourage scientific research, and spread the culture of research and innovation by training national staff and preparing them for a professional career in the field of research by strengthening the curricula in early education stages.
5. Strengthen partnerships and global research cooperation which would contribute to attracting global talent and global funding.