Why do we need inventions and new products?

1. Arab Youth Scientific Innovation: “Stars of Science” TV Program–Qatar Foundation“Youth Entrepreneurship Training” FGCCC Fouad Mrad, Executive DirectorESCWA Technology CentreScience Advisor to Program

2. Why do we need inventions and new products? • Improve quality of life – “useful” • Commercialization for economic benefit – profit! • Not every idea is an invention ! Needs to work. Only 2 products out of every 3,000 ideas [16] • Not every invention is a product! Needs to be useful Only 3,000 out of 1.5 million patents are commercially viable [16] • Not done before ≠ Necessarily useful invention!

3. THE FIRST TELEVISED COMPETITION TURNING IDEAS INTO INVENTIONS ! TV Program: STARS OF SCIENCE 3rd Season Since 2009 An Initiative by Produced by

4. Opening new opportunities for the Arab new generation, Qatar Foundation launched a: World Wide Arab Competition In support of young inventors and innovators This competition is under the form of a new original Docu-Reality Television Program

5. 16 Inventors Men and Women Arab Speaking Competing to create their invention The Winners go home with: The Concept $300 000 First Prize $150 000 Second $100 000 Third $ 50 000 Fourth

6. Selection process Phase I Professional Review by expert committee. The Committee will choose novel ideas Phase II Invited for a recorded “face to face” pitch in front of a Jury in 8 casting Arab countries Phase III 16 Finalists are selected in Doha from all qualified Casting: 3 Months Intensive Workshop

7. Criteria Guidance Complexity Possible to develop the novel idea into working invention prototype in 3 months? 2. Use What is the use of this product in the society? Scientific correctness Is the idea sound and respects scientific laws? 4. Patentability Novel: Can the intellectual property be protected ?

8. The Workshop Support All labs in Qatari Universities Professors and Technicians from Universities Specially tailored seminars: Safety in laboratories Engineering Design Process What is a successful entrepreneur? Effective Teamwork Business plans others

9. Program Phases Proof of Concept: validity of the novel scientific feature Product Engineering: functioning product prototype embedding the proven concept Product Design: packaged prototype towards a professional product Business & Marketing: feasibility and marketability of the packaged product based on a business plan

10. Episodes 8 Prime Time EpisodesBroadcast The development of projects Work with experts Invention coming to life EVALUATION / SCREENING 30 Daily episodes 1- Allow viewers to know the 16 candidates 2- Connect on an emotional level 3- Daily struggles and achievements

11. The Program “Stars of Science” broadcast on Pan Arab television to More than 22 Arab countries with a viewer ship counting into tens of millions worldwide

12. Supported skills of Participants (a) Ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering (b) Ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data (c) Ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs within realistic constraints such as economic, environmental, social, political, ethical, health and safety, manufacturability, and sustainability (d) Ability to function on multidisciplinary teams (e) Ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems (f) Understanding of professional and ethical responsibility

13. Participants Acquired Skills (g) Ability to communicate effectively (h) Broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global, economic, environmental, and societal context (i) Recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in life-long learning (j) Knowledge of contemporary issues (k) Ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice. (l) Ability to develop business plan for a scientific project The above supported outcomes (a through k) are suggested outcomes by: Program Outcomes-2009 Criteria for Accrediting Engineering Programs USA Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) programswww.abet.org

14. Impact Aims • All Participants (thousands) learned • Winners learned and earned seed capital • Millions of viewers exposed to innovation process • Campaign in media/on line innovation culture • Networking Qatar Foundation with Arab Educational Institutions • Breaking wall of fear to invent and create • Arab Youth hope and courage to try and produce

15. Sample Inventions

16. Sample Projects 2009 [15]

17. Sample Projects 2010 [15]

20. Observations • Less than 10 % of participants were female in 3 Seasons • Arab youth are ICT users. Golden opportunity to leap to the future industry and economy • Educational preparation is failing to graduate product designers and entrepreneurs • Graduates lack basic design knowledge and business common sense • The participants lack team work skills and interest in working with or learning from others

21. Recommendations • Arabic media organizations cultivate its scientific credibility in covering innovation stories • Local and regional authorities to improve the credibility, professionalism, and transparency of intellectual property registration systems • Develop university professors and lab staff skills in product design and realization with industry and technology suppliers

22. Recommendations (CONT) • The need to actively apply knowledge to real world problems • Translate R&D findings into a form understandable to all relevant audiences • Context specific, locally sensitive, and responsive to the evolving needs • Creation of new scientific information and technical capabilities is part of an experimental, social process • Integrate ‘formal’ R&D efforts with ‘informal’ grassroots knowledge and innovation

23. References: • M. Rogers, “The Definition and Measurement of Innovation,” The University of Melbourne, Working Paper 10/98, 1998. • M. Falagas, E. Zarkadoulia, G. Samonis, “Arab science in the golden age (750–1258 C.E.) and today,” Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology Journal, Vol 20, 2006 • D. Straub, K. Loch, C. Hill, “Transfer of the Information Technology to the Arab World: A Test of Cultural Influence Modeling,” Georgia State University, Journal of Global Information Management, 2001. • D. McGlennon, “Building research capacity in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries: Strategy, funding and engagement,” Second International Colloquium on Research and Higher Education Policy, UNESCO, Paris, 2006 • F. Tabak, S. Barr, “Innovation Attributes and category membership: explaining intention to adopt technological innovations in strategic making contexts,” The Journal of High Technology Management Research, Volume 9, Number 1, 1998 • J. Aubert, “Promoting Innovation in Developing Countries: A Conceptual framework,” World Bank Policy Research Working Paper 3554, 2005 • B. Douthwaite, J. Keatinge, J. Park, “Why promising technologies fail: the neglected role of user innovation during adoption,” Research Policy Journal, Elsevier, Vol 30, 2001. • E. Rogers, “Diffusion of preventive innovations,” Journal of Addictive Behaviors, Pergamon, Vol 27, 2002. • J. Fagerberg* and B. Verspagen, “Innovation, growth and economic development: Why some countries succeed and others don’t,” GLOBELICS Conference: Innovation Systems and Development Strategies for the Third Millennium, Brazil, 2003 • F. Mrad, "Meeting Arab Socio-Economic Development Needs Through Information and Communications Technologies," Journal of Transnational Management Development, Vol 11, Issue 3, 2006 • Ibn Khalaf al-Muradi, “The Book of Secrets in the results of ideas 1266: Incredible Machines from 1000 years ago,” curators L Massimiliano, M Taddei, E Zaron, 2008. • “Arab Science: A Journey of Innovation,” www.qf.edu.qa , Qatar Foundation 2008 • D. Baltimore, “A Global Perspective on Science and Technology,” Vol 322 Science, www.sciencemag.org , 2008 • United States Patent and Trademark office, www.uspto.gov • Qatar Foundation Stars of Science Program, ” www.starsofscience.som 2009 • S. Raghu: Invention to Product: Processes and Timelines, Entrepreneurship Workshop Beirut, Lebanon September, 2011