THE ARAB DYNAMIC KNOWLEDGE BANK

DR. RAJU M. MATHEW

KNOWLEDGE IN THE ARAB WORLD

Though the Koran came out from the Arab World with the opening words “You Read”, recent studies show that about 80% of the Arabs is unable to read or write.

And their knowledge is limited to a set of routine practices and customs that may not have much practical applications to overcome their socio-economic backwardness. Same is the case with most of the poor people in the other parts of the world.

The Arab poor can be empowered only with knowledge, that is making knowledge accessible and usable to solve their backwardness and building up a new socio-economic order, crossing the barriers of illiteracy and closed societies.

KNOWLEDGE DELIVERY AND APPLICATION SYSTEMS

Arab Dynamic Knowledge Bank , a knowledge delivery system and culture sharing platform, designed with Knowmatics, is capable of empowering the Arab World with knowledge and lifting its socio-economic status within a short span of time, in spite of the widely prevailing illiteracy.

Using a small fraction of the oil money, less than the cost of a new university, it can be set up and made operational within two to three years. Science, Technology, System and Business Model for the Arab Dynamic Knowledge Bank have already been developed.

The Arab Dynamic Knowledge Bank is more than a University; it is a Mega School and a Mega University for the millions, for the young and adults, girls and boys, men and women. It can also generate more income than the best commercial bank.

KNOWLEDGE- STOCK OR FLOW

Knowledge can be either a stock or a flow. Knowledge kept in books, libraries, computer or even internet is a stock and can be called ‘Static Knowledge’, that can be tapped with the ability to read , grasp and apply.

Knowledge , even the latest or advanced , coming out from the mind or intellect of experts and reach to the people in their own style and language may be called ‘Dynamic Knowledge’ that can be tapped, grasped and applied even without the ability to read or write. Even an illiterate farmer can be empowered with the latest knowledge in agriculture, provided it is delivered in his own style and language.

STRUCTURE OF DYNAMIC KNOWLEDGE

The building blocks of dynamic knowledge are concepts that can be presented at different level or quality- simple to complex; concepts are multi-dimensional. The building blocks of data or information are bits or bytes that are one-dimensional. The structure of dynamic knowledge is non-linear.

Dynamic Knowledge Modules or Packages can be brought out as industrial products for mass marketing, delivery and consumption. These are some of the basis of Knowmatics on which Knowledge Industry has been built up. Dynamic Knowledge cannot be dealt with the available tools of Information Technology.

KNOWLEDGE INDSUTRY

Knowledge Industry ensures the mass or industrial production, marketing, delivery and consumption of Dynamic Knowledge in any Domain globally.

Dynamic Knowledge Banks facilitates the input of marketable knowledge modules or packages, just like deposits in the conventional bank, and their marketing and customized delivery according to the caliber and need of the individual users or consumers.

DYNAMIC KNOWLEDGE BANK

If the Arab World opt for the familiar western model of Education System, it will take at least 200 years for it to enter the Knowledge Society or Economy.

On the other hands, Knowmatics-based Knowledge Industry envisages Dynamic Knowledge Bank that can make knowledge free from the boundaries of schools, colleges and universities and ensure the accessibility and use of knowledge without any barriers.

Dynamic Knowledge bank is capable of delivering formal school or university education at one tenth cost with ten fold quality, that too extending to millions all over the world. It can also pave the way for making practicing professions, scientific research and decision making more knowledge intensive.

THE ARAB DYNMAIC KNOWLEDGE BANK If the resourceful and committed Arab Governments or

Private Agencies, including rich families or individuals are ready to support ‘ the Arab Dynamic Knowledge Bank’ , based on the System, Technology and Business Model, that have developed by taking more than 25 years of intensive study and research, it can be set up and made operations within two to three years.

The details of the original proposal has been discussed in the paper ‘Knowmatics- A New Revolution in Higher Education’ presented for the Fourth World Universities Forum and published in the Journal of the World Universities Forum (2011) 4,1 : 1-11. More details can be had from the two YouTube videos.

E-mail : drrmmathew@gmail.com