Flagship Projects for Accelerating R&D During the COVID-19 Period in Kuwait

Abstract

AbstractFlagship Projects (FPs) are defined as multidisciplinary research partnerships, aimed at aligning capabilities to confront big transformative goals in major significant areas of research. Their large-scale, long-term, and clear focus on adaptation and adoption of research outputs and outcomes are designed to maximize delivery of positive impact on the national vision for development. Therefore, an FP serves to generate model solutions to important challenges faced by the society and the country, while generating awareness of the problem among the public leading to national or international visibility. Since the year 2020, COVID-19 pandemic has caused and still is inflicting severe impacts on health, economy, and the environment. Kuwait has acted promptly to limit its spread within its borders. Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR) forms a key role in the national innovation ecosystem. In addition to establishing policies, health and safety measures, and awareness campaign programs on the pandemic, KISR has established a Task Force in March 2020, to oversee its multidisciplinary FP, tackling the pandemic-related challenges to accelerate the preparation of research proposals in public health, economics, the environment, water security, food security, and other innovative pandemic-related issues in the fields of artificial intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT) and information technology (IT). Funding sources for the FP were provided by Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Science (KFAS) and KISR. The outcomes of the FP provided solutions for sustainable recovery and overcoming challenges arising from infectious diseases in the country. It has also accelerated the preparation and execution of the research and development (R&D) projects related to the COVID-19 pandemic in addition to sharing results with local authorities for mitigation measures. Application of FPs at research institutions like KISR is necessary and highly recommended to direct the efficient and productive use of institutional resources in terms of workforce, facility, and finances.KeywordsPandemicCoronavirusInnovationResearchProjectsPoliciesEconomy