More than 50,000 Individuals Take Part in a Regional Poll by Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation and UNDP

DUBAI, UAE, November 1, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

The survey seeks to provide accurate statistics for the Arab Reading Index, the results of which are set to be announced during the Knowledge Summit 2016 

The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation (MBRF) and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) conducted a poll canvassing more than 50,000 people from all Arab countries to determine the status of reading in the region.

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The survey seeks, in addition, to provide objective statistics for the Arab Reading Index, the results of which will be announced during the Knowledge Summit 2016. The Index is the first of its kind in the region; it is a scientific and standardised tool that tracks knowledge-focused initiatives in the Arab World and measures their impact on society to assign quantifiable numerical data to the process of cultural development in the region.

His Excellency Jamal bin Huwaireb, Managing Director of MBRF, said: "The Arab Reading Index initiative resonates with the UAE's vision, which considers reading an essential element in the process of acquiring knowledge and strives to promote innovation as a principle in the local community, all in an effort to establish a well-educated generation capable of producing and spreading knowledge."

H.E. bin Huwaireb noted that the UAE has lead the way in that effort, launching major projects and initiatives, most notable of which is the Arab Reading Challenge (launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai), which saw more than one million Arab students pledge to collectively read 50 million books each academic year.

Meanwhile, Dr. Hani Al Turki, Chief Technical Advisors at the Arab Knowledge Project, said: "The Arab Reading Index aims to develop reliable methods to measure reading in Arab societies through producing accurate and current statistics. The Index will be created by building on the results of an online survey that has so far canvassed more than 50,000 individuals from all around the Arab World; the results will then be launched during the Knowledge Summit 2016."

Dr. Al Turki added: "The Index determines the level of cultural development in the region -especially in Arab countries that lack specialised studies on the subject - and identifies the requirements needed for fostering a reading culture in the Arab World."

Organised by MBRF under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum - and the guidance of H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of MBRF - the Knowledge Summit 2016 aims to shed light on the status and realities of knowledge in the Arab World, as measured against international indices.

Running from December 5^th until the 7^th under the theme "Knowledge… Present & Future", the Knowledge Summit will, in addition, include the announcement of the Arab Reading Index results, along with an analytical overview of these findings in a session that explores the future of reading in the Arab World.

SOURCE Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation (MBRF)