What does it really mean to be innovative? To me, innovation is using your mind creatively. It is finding new ways to solve old problems and embracing technology. In short, being innovative is the ability to thrive in a changing and unpredictable environment.
The global economy is dynamic in nature, and an adaptable, innovative workforce is essential if we are to keep up.
We have transitioned from the industrial age to the information age, and innovation and education has become more important than ever before. But there needs to be a sense of purpose and intention behind what is being said in order to stimulate progression.
A study by the United States Department of Labor revealed that approximately two-thirds of children currently in primary school will grow up to work in jobs that do not presently exist.
It is an intimidating statistic, but one that we can prepare for now if we work together to equip the youth of today with the necessary skills and experience to adapt to changing working environments.
So where is the Middle East in terms of innovation and creativity at the moment?
According to Education and Innovation in the Middle East and North Africa, a Bayt.com study commissioned by Dubai Knowledge Village, 89 per cent of professionals in the Middle East and North Africa agree that creative thinking is key to driving social and economic growth in their country, while 73 per cent believe that creativity is currently being stifled by education systems in the region.
The UAE is ranked 24th for innovation according to the World Economic Forum (WEF) Global Competitiveness Index. Bearing in mind that these rankings consider 144 countries, placing 24th is an impressive feat.
But this country has its sights on achieving a higher placement over the next three years as part of the National Innovation Strategy launched in October last year.
While the UAE sits at the peak of creativity in the region according to 56 per cent of respondents from the Bayt.com poll, there is more to be done. An important step in the process is to connect industry and academia by encouraging and enabling universities and training institutes to empower students to become more innovative.
Repositioning a teacher’s role as a facilitator, who engages with and encourages students to develop their skills through thinking that goes beyond traditional parameters, will help to unlock this potential.
Conferences are ideal platforms to bring together leading industry and educational minds, encouraging brainstorming, knowledge sharing, and therefore find ways to enhance the current education system and instil a more creative environment.
Creative thinking is hugely important in the current job climate. It is at the heart of innovation, and an innovative mind is beneficial no matter which profession you are pursuing.
Creativity should be introduced from an early age, and we must work together to find new ways to incorporate the learning techniques that will equip the youth of today for the possible uncertainty of their future careers.
Education is a key component for our leadership’s innovation agenda, but it needs to be driven on a sector-wide scale.
Dr Ayoub Kazim is the Managing Director of the Education Cluster of TECOM Investments, a member of Dubai Holding
