Qatar has been ranked 26th in the Global Innovation Index (GII), securing the highest position in the Middle East, said the report, prepared by INSEAD ((Institut Européen d'Administration des Affaires) business school. The report said Qatar improved its world ranking by nine places vis-a-vis its 2010 position. Switzerland topped this year's GII ranking, with Sweden (2nd) and Singapore (3rd). Last year, the Gulf country was placed 35th on the Global Innovation Index. The Global Innovation Index is computed as an average of the scores across input pillars (describing the enabling environment for innovation) and output pillars (measuring actual achievements in innovation). The UAE, which has the second position in the Middle East, is eight ranks below Qatar at No. 34 in the list. No other Middle East country figured in the top 40 on the Global Innovation Index. The Global Innovation Index is computed as an average of the scores across inputs pillars (describing the enabling environment for innovation) and output pillars (measuring actual achievements in innovation). Five pillars constitute the Innovation Input Sub-Index: 'Institutions,' 'Human capital and research,' 'Infrastructure', 'Market sophistication' and 'Business sophistication'. The Innovation Output Sub-Index is composed of two pillars: 'Scientific outputs' and 'Creative outputs'. The Innovation Efficiency Index, calculated as the ratio of the two Sub-Indices, examines how economies leverage their enabling environments to stimulate innovation results. Qatar Foundation is supporting Qatar on its journey from carbon economy to knowledge economy by unlocking human potential. This will not just benefit Qatar. It will benefit the world. The Foundation have chosen to secure its future by becoming a knowledge economy: a cradle of innovation, based in the Middle East, but global in scope and impact. Qatar Foundation was established in 1995 by the Emir Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani. Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, wife of the Amir, is the organization's chairperson and driving force. Qatar National Vision 2030 details how the nation will deploy its vast revenues from hydrocarbon resources to create the knowledge economy. Because creativity, intellect and critical thinking are key, it places the development of human capital as the priority for the next 20 years. National Vision 2030 gave Qatar Foundation a new and exciting mandate: to be the 'engine' driving the development of human capital. We call this mandate 'unlocking human potential'. Through its three pillars of Education, Science & Research and Community Development, Qatar Foundation is unlocking human potential, building a platform for innovation and fostering a culture of quality and excellence.
