Higher Education Minister Highlights the Role of Research, Data, and Technology in Sustainable Development.

Richard Williams

Ministry of Technical and Higher Education

rw327542611@gmail.com

+232 030 86143

Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Sierra Leone’s Minister of Technical and Higher Education, Dr. Haja Ramatulai Wurie, on Friday addressed the 10th edition of the Knowledge Summit in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, where she underscored the importance of leveraging research, data, and technology as critical tools for national development.

The Knowledge Summit is a global platform dedicated to advancing knowledge production in support of sustainable development.

This year’s event is held under the theme “Knowledge Markets: Developing Sustainable Communities,” focusing on the idea of knowledge as a driving economic and social force that enhances growth, closes development gaps, and empowers communities.

Minister Wurie emphasized that knowledge remains a powerful catalyst for transforming nations—from vulnerability to sustainability and from dependency to global competitiveness and equitable partnership-building.

She outlined key challenges faced by developing countries, particularly inadequate funding for research and data-driven initiatives.

She called for increased investment in research, innovation, industrialization, and sustainable growth pathways.

The Minister identified three priority areas for developing countries:

Investing in research and innovation ecosystems to drive scientific and technological advancement; Utilizing emerging technologies to generate reliable and timely data; and

Strengthening systems to enhance efficiency, accountability, and transparency in data management for informed national planning and policymaking.

She further stressed the importance of collaboration among institutions, underscoring the need to bridge the gap between evidence generators and evidence users.

She encouraged stronger partnerships between higher education institutions and government ministries, departments, and agencies to conduct research that addresses contemporary development challenges.

As part of Sierra Leone’s commitment to equality, Minister Wurie highlighted ongoing efforts to promote gender inclusivity, particularly in fields traditionally dominated by men—such as science, technology, engineering, agriculture, and mathematics.

She also announced ongoing work on a new grant-in-aid policy aimed at reducing financial barriers for young women pursuing training and education in these fields, empowering them to take on future leadership roles.

Minister Wurie was accompanied to the Summit by Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, H.E. Rashid Sesay.