Overview:

"Made In the Arab world" (MIA) is a competition that aims to bridge the gap between university researchers, professionals and business community towards a better impact on the social and economic development of the Arab countries. The competition aims at orienting Research and Development activities in Arab universities to tackle real needs and problems, and foster business-oriented results.

MIA2007 Main topics:

A) Management of Technology – A Key Note Session:

Dr. Tarek Khalil, Nile University President and Founder & President of the International Association of Management of Technology (IAMOT) will be giving this key note speech about priciples & best pratices of management of Technology.

B) Industry-University Linkage – A Discussion Panel:

An interactive panel between Industrials, Researchers, Government and International                         Organizations representatives on transfer of Technology and management  of Innovation.

• Transfer of Technology and Management of Innovation: How can we foster Collaboration between Industry and Research Centers (Interfaces, etc…)
• Needs and Vision of the Industrial sector & how can be achieved through University research
• Enterprise-University Joint Research Project: Criteria for success (i.e. Principles, models and protocols of collaboration, Type of Projects...)

C) Mechanisms for Investing in Technology & Technology Management – A Discussion Panel:

An interactive panel with representatives from different Research and Technology organizations, government and Private sector representatives on Mechanisms of support for technological research adapted to small businesses.

• What are the major programs that focus on investing in technology in the Arab World & how collaboration could be achieved between them?
• What are the successful international examples of investing in technology & entrepreneurship services?
• How entrepreneurship services programs can be a catalyst for technology-oriented Small business ventures?
• What is the status of technology-oriented funds in the Arab World?

Participant Organizations:

 The following organizations were represented in the event through their speakers:

    * INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

• United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), www.escwa.org.lb
• World Association for Industrial & Technological Research Organizations (WAITRO), www.waitro.org
• University of Central Florida Technology Incubator (UCFTI), www.incubator.ucf.edu/
• US Small Business Administration (SBA), www.sba.gov
• US Kauffman Foundation for Entrepreneurship & Education, www.kauffman.org

    * ARAB WORLD ORGANIZATIONS

•  Arab Science & Technology Foundation, Investing in Science &Technology Program, www.astf.net/site/investing/index.asp
•  Islamic Development Bank, www.isdb.org
•  Mohammad Bin Rashed Establishment for Young Business Leaders, www.sme.ae
•  Techno park, www.tp.ae/tpark/index.aspx
•  Information Technology Industry Development Agency, Information Technology Academia Collaboration (ITAC), www.itida.gov.eg/On-going_UI_objectives.asp Nile University, www.nileu.edu.eg

 Concurrent ESCWA Event:

In parallel & concurrently to the MIA finals, ESCWA organized an Expert Group Meeting on “Harnessing Technology for Enhanced Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Productivity and Competitiveness”. The event was held in the same venue of MIA finals & was attended by ESCWA invited government representatives from ministries responsible for SME policy-making and development from each ESCWA Member State, including representatives from ministries of industry, finance, economy, trade and technology. Private sector associations, non-governmental organizations and regional organizations engaged in SME issues related to technology and sustainable development were also invited to participate in this ESCWA Expert Group meeting.

Participating Countries were:

• Egypt,
• Sudan, 
• Morocco,
• Palestine,
• Jordan,
• Syria,
• UAE,
• Saudi Arabia,
• Yemen &
• IRAQ.

Date & Venue:

The Finals were held during 3rd and 4th of November 2007  and was hosted in in JW Marriot. Hotel: www.jwmarriottcairo.com