Global Knowledge Index

Pre-University Education

Technical Vocational Education and Training

Higher Education

Research, Development and Innovation

Information and Communications Technology

Economy

General Enabling Environment

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The Global Knowledge Index (GKI) is a partnership initiative between the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation (MBRF), first announced during the Knowledge Summit 2016, to highlight the strategic role of knowledge and the importance of developing objective and scientific tools to measure and evaluate knowledge.

The GKI aims at measuring knowledge as a broad concept that is intricately related to all aspects of modern human life, in a systematic approach that builds on solid conceptual and methodological principles, distinguished with:

- A theoretical foundation that relies on international and scientific literature, confirming the duality of knowledge and development, implying further that development is no more reliant on natural and financial resources as much as on knowledge and human resources, thus knowledge becomes the basis for achieving sustainable human development.

- A broad definition of knowledge as a composite multi-dimensional concept, which reveals in many direct and indirect forms, across different ancillary sectors including education, R&D, innovation, technology, economy, among others. This establishes for a methodological foundation to approach knowledge systematically and with more depth and detail, especially in examining existing knowledge gaps between the different sectors and within the same sector.

- A cumulative approach that relates to earlier experiences by others, and builds on it in a participatory framework with the involvement of experts and professionals from different countries and the advice of experts from leading international organisations in the field.

The GKI is composed of six sectoral indices: Pre-University Education; Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET); Higher Education; Research, Development and Innovation (RDI); Information and Communications Technology (ICT); and Economy; in addition to a seventh supporting index on the General Enabling Environment.

The GKI is a translation of the aforementioned conceptual and methodological foundations to a real-time tool that can be used to support decision makers and stakeholders in promoting knowledge as a basis for achieving sustainable human development, as embraced by the UNDP and as genuinely described in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – Agenda 2030, to proceed forward with a more comprehensive perspective on “Knowledge-based development”.

The Pre-University Education sector plays a central role in building the knowledge capital, that represents the first input in preparing young people to acquire and produce knowledge. Pre-university education equips youth with scientific knowledge as well as creative skills and capacities to access lifelong learning opportunities. This sector is therefore key, as it constitutes the first basis for other sectors to build upon. It is composed of two pillars: knowledge capital and educational enabling environment.

Number of variables: 17 | Weight: 15%

The Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector represents the main connection between education and the labour market, and provides educated young people with opportunities for professional integration. It contributes to the provision of high-skilled labour and to the development of conducive working environments. It is composed of two pillars: formation and professional training and features of the labour market.

Number of variables: 12 | Weight: 15%

The Higher Education sector is of high importance, as it is an active component in educating youth, developing their qualifications, and expanding their knowledge and skills, which results in the improvement of a country’s productivity and competitiveness in global markets. It is also considered among the most important factors that directly contributes to the advancement of scientific research and technological development. It is composed of two pillars: higher education inputs and higher education outputs and quality.

Number of variables: 16 | Weight: 15%

Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) contributes to increasing knowledge at the national and regional levels. RDI is mainly based on the production of new or improved goods, services, production processes and organizational models, which serves as a driver for economic growth and sustainable development in both developed and developing countries. RDI is closely linked to the other sectors because it provides essential inputs to the entire system. It is composed of three pillars: research and development, innovation in production and social innovation.

Number of variables: 28 | Weight: 15%

Information and Communications Technology (ICT) plays an essential role in supporting the advancement of knowledge across all sectors. Advancements in knowledge-intensive production have become closely linked to the provision of advanced technology, especially as the Internet has increased the opportunities available to acquire knowledge. Therefore, it is essential for countries to employ indicators that quantify their levels of ICT development for the benefit of stakeholders in their societies. It is composed of two pillars: ICT inputs and ICT outputs.

Number of variables: 20 | Weight: 15%

The Knowledge Economy is the main driver of sustainable development, wealth creation and job creation in various economic fields, across the industrial, agricultural and service sectors. Unlike the traditional concept of economic resource analysis and availability, a knowledge economy is primarily based on providing economic resources – particularly human resources – with knowledge tools, including digital and technological knowledge assets as well as innovative and creative skills. It is composed of three pillars: knowledge competitiveness, economic openness, and financing and value added.

Number of variables: 22 | Weight: 15%

General Enabling Environment 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. It is composed of three pillars: political and insitutional, socio-economic, and health and environment.

Number of variables: 18 | Weight: 10%