The Arab Science & Technology Foundation (ASTF), based in the United Arab Emirates, organizes between 26-28 October 2008 in the Moroccan city Fès an international conference on the important topic of “Path to Innovation: Transforming Research into Value”. As part of this conference, several sessions would be dedicated to the economics of research & development (R&D) and innovation. The deadline for submitting proposals is May 30th, 2008.


CONFERENCE OBJECTIVES
Modern economic growth and development are based on technological advance. This is again the result of close interactions between R&D and the productive sector of the economy. The ability of economic systems to translate ideas into products, processes and services is the basis for creating wealth, income and jobs for the fast growing Arab population, especially its youths. The main objective of the conference is to address the major issues related to the interlinkages between R&D, innovation and economic development in the context of the Arab world.

MAIN THEME AND SUB-THEMES
The main theme of the conference is the economics of innovation in Arab countries. It would be discussed both at the micro-, macro- and policy-level. At the micro-level concrete examples of how individuals, firms and NGO have used R&D results in order to create product and process innovations would be presented. At the macro-level national R&D and innovation policies will be explored and best practices discussed.

Micro-Level

• Success factors of R&D at firm level
• Best practices of innovative behavior at firm level
• Science-based Innovations: Examples from Arab countries
• Financing R&D and innovations at firm level
• Forms of cooperation in R&D, innovation and financing
• Protecting the benefits of R&D and innovations
• Role of venture capital for financing innovations and start ups
• Role of informal channels for financing innovations and start ups

Macro and Policy -Level

• National innovation systems: Case studies from Arab countries
• R&D-Systems in Arab countries
• Public-private partnerships in R&D and innovation
• Technology Policy for helping Arab economies catch up
• Coordination failures and mission-oriented policies
• Publically funded science and technology policy
• Intellectual property policy for enhancing innovation

TIMETABLE AND DEADLINES
The deadline for submitting proposals is May 30th, 2008. Selected applicants will be informed by July 15th, 2008. The written papers are due by September 15th, 2008. A detailed timetable is given below.


IMPORTANT DATES
May 30th Deadline for submissions in response to Call for Papers
July 15th Notification of selected applicants
September 15th Deadline for receiving written papers
October 4th Notification of acceptance of papers for presentation
October 26th Conference begins
November 30th Conference ends

Conference URL: http://www.astf.net/sro/sro5

GUIDELINES FOR PROPOSALS AND SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS
Submitted proposals should not exceed two pages, or 700 words. They should consist of three sections, as detailed below. ASTF reserves the right to exclude proposals that are not consistent with these guidelines.

1. Motivation and Outline:
This section should provide a clear statement of the problem at hand, the knowledge gap the paper will address in light of existing literature, and how the proposed research will contribute to advancing our knowledge about the subject. It should also provide an outline of the final paper.

2. Methodology and Analysis:
This section should clearly identify the question or hypothesis to be tested, as well as the research methodology that will be employed. It should describe the data that will be used in the analysis, as well as its sources and time span for each variable. It should describe the analytical technique and explain the rationale for using the said methodology.

3. Policy Implications: Researchers are encouraged to describe preliminary results and policy implications if possible. If not, they should explain how the findings will contribute to the understanding of the topic under investigation as well as any relevant policy implications.

All proposals must specify the theme under which they are submitted. In addition, submissions should include: Author(s)’ last and first names, affiliation and position, address, telephone and fax numbers, as well as an email address.

PLEASE FORWARD YOUR SUBMISSION TO THE FOLLOWING EMAIL: harabi.sro@astf.net

CONTACT
For further inquiries, please contact
Arab Science & Technology Foundation (ASTF)
Organizing Committee
P.O. Box 27272-Sharjah, UAE
Tel.: 971-6-5050551
Fax: 971-6-5050553
E-mail: sro@astf.net