Role of Statisticians in Building the UAE Knowledge Economy

Abstract

Statistical knowledge and expertise are gaining importance during this era of information and knowledge economy (KE). In addition to the fundamental role they play in R&D, statistical methods and techniques are widely utilized to assess knowledge output and performance of knowledge economies. This paper provides an overview of the use of statistics in the workplace in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and the role statistics and statisticians play in the country's endeavors to transform to a KE. The paper further elucidates the gap between statistics education and the labor market needs. Information are garnered from a sample of 104 statisticians and practitioners with related backgrounds on several issues covering the level of statistical practice in the country, training and professional development and the role statisticians play in supporting research and decision making. Evidence reveals a growing recognition of the role of statistics in the country. Several limitations, however, were noted including increased shortages in supply of statisticians and a lack of indepth professional training in traditional and emerging statistics topics together with a lack of quality research output.