Undeniably, Science has never been more critical to our lives than it is today. Following the events of the past two years, with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the coronavirus, quarantines, handwashing, vaccinations, masks, and ventilators took over our news agendas and news feeds.
Accordingly, doctors and scientists regularly appeared in the media and became much more prominent in both public and private spaces. Against this backdrop, 76% of UAE residents agree that science is very important to their daily lives. According to the recent findings of the newest research from 3M, this is significantly higher than the global average of 52%.
Those familiar with the UAE will know that science and technology are critical to the UAE’s transformation into a knowledge-based economy. Looking to the future, the country’s leadership is keen to place scientific innovation at the heart of progress and is actively pursuing and implementing advanced technologies, including AI, automation, robotics and IoT.
In recent years, initiatives such as the UAE’s Mars mission, the construction of the Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Centre, and the deployment of self-driving vehicles in Abu Dhabi have helped to establish the UAE as a global leader in innovation, research, and development. In so doing, the nation has gained public confidence in its scientific capabilities.
Reflecting the high level of trust held in science in the UAE is the public’s positive response to the wise leadership’s effective handling of the coronavirus. Extraordinary efforts to quickly put in place effective quarantines and accelerate vaccination drives to protect every resident in the country, all based on hard science, proved effective in limiting the virus’ spread.
According to the Global Response to Infectious Diseases Index, the UAE ranked among the top 10 countries worldwide for its leadership and proactive approach during the COVID-19 pandemic, with the nation quickly getting back on its feet following necessary lockdowns.
Following the public’s experiences of COVID-19, however, the State of the Science Index revealed that 92% of the UAE public wants to hear more – not less – from scientists and researchers about their work, demonstrating that rather than experiencing fatigue, the pandemic positively impacted appreciation and trust in science. Moreover, 74% of the people in the UAE expect to appreciate science even more over the next five years than they do today.
Considering the positive sentiment toward science and technology in the UAE, with the public open and receptive to hearing more from industry experts, the scientific community must ask itself how it can maintain its relevance and stay in the spotlight? Today, UAE residents are optimistic about science and willing to adopt new technologies.
Governments and businesses must support this optimism by protecting livelihoods, equipping the workforce with the digital skills required for the future and work, and ensuring public trust in science is harnessed to build a better future.
