Remarks by Vice Chancellor of Maldives National University at the event "Bridging the SDG Data Gap – What is the role of Academia?"

Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed guests, and fellow participants,

Assalam alaikum, and a very good morning to each one of you.

It is with great pleasure and immense gratitude that I stand before you today in this significant gathering, the purpose of which is not only to address the challenges before us but also to explore the boundless potential for positive change.

Before I delve into today's topic, I want to take a moment to acknowledge and express our appreciation to those who have joined us here. In particular; distinguished UN Resident Coordinator, Ms. Catherine Haswell, whose unwavering commitment has been instrumental in driving forward the Sustainable Development Goals in the Maldives. 

Dr. Ibrahim Zakariyya, the Vice Chancellor of the Islamic University of Maldives, whose untiring devotion to Islamic education and exploring contemporary issues illuminates our path forward.

Dr. Ahmed Anwar, the Rector of Villa College, whose dedication to advancing knowledge and skills is shaping the future of young adults.

We are also graced with the presence of distinguished participants of partner institutions, and the UN Agency Representatives and Government Agencies, who have been invaluable allies in our shared journey towards sustainable development.

A little over a year ago, in September, the UN-Maldives brought together the academic community of the Maldives, pledging to collaborate and establish partnerships to support our nation's pursuit of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the implementation of the Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework. The seminar in 2022 was a pivotal moment, a ground-breaking initiative that laid the foundation for the transformation we aspire to achieve.

I want to express my deep gratitude once more to the Resident Coordinator of UN Maldives, whose visionary leadership and tireless efforts have been instrumental in bringing the SDGs to life in our beautiful nation. Under her commendable guidance, UN Maldives has seamlessly expanded its support for a wide range of national development initiatives, marking a significant step towards our shared vision.

In addition, I acknowledge and extend my thanks to all of you gathered here today. Your presence at this seminar serves as a testament to your dedication and commitment to ensuring that we collectively contribute to achieving the SDGs in the Maldives.

Ladies and Gentlemen!

Today, we've assembled to explore the theme of "Bridging the Data Gap: What is the role of Academia?" The United Nations' 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, with its 17 SDGs, 169 targets, and 231 unique indicators, has laid out a roadmap for a more equitable and sustainable world. These goals encompass a broad spectrum of objectives, from eradicating poverty to promoting quality education, from addressing the impacts of climate change to fostering partnerships for sustainable development. Since the inception of this ambitious agenda in 2015, nations across the globe have been tirelessly working to reach the 2030 targets.

However, as we stand in the year 2023, we're at the halfway point, and the data we need to assess progress is often insufficient, incomplete, inconsistent, and outdated. This shortage of data forms the formidable "Data Gap" that obstructs our ability to track progress, evaluate policy impact, and allocate resources effectively. We find ourselves unclear about our needs, unable to prioritize issues that require heightened support, and incapable of holding stakeholders accountable.

The purpose of today's discussion is not just to highlight this problem but to seek solutions. How can the academic community play a pivotal role in ensuring that the data, which serves as our compass for progressing toward the SDG targets, is comprehensive, timely, accurate, accessible, and reliable? How can we, as the academic community, bridge this data gap?

Allow me to present a few ideas on how we can contribute to these endeavours.

First and foremost, our academic institutions, with their collective mindset, intellectual capacity, and research expertise, constitute a potent force capable of gathering, collating, integrating, and analysing the vital data required for science-driven advancements in our nation. For instance, our skill sets can be harnessed to tap into the vast reservoir of big data generated from government records, mobile devices, and social media. Within our innovation hubs, we can devise indigenous mechanisms that facilitate data aggregation from diverse sources into a central repository, allowing for cross-referencing and analysis across various domains by multiple stakeholders. We can also innovate and apply cutting-edge technologies such as machine learning and data mining, complemented by real-time monitoring systems, to collect data shedding light on trends and correlations in our progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Such approaches enable swift responses to emerging issues, including disaster preparedness and climate change adaptation. Furthermore, we can collaborate to employ non-traditional data collection methods that delve deeper into issues, offering a richer understanding of our communities.

Secondly, leveraging our dedication and research expertise, we can enhance our community's data literacy, both through formal educational programs and outreach initiatives. In today's world, data literacy is indispensable for all citizens. With this in mind, we can jointly promote public involvement in data collection through citizen science projects, facilitated by mobile applications and crowdsourcing initiatives. In addition to integrating research skills into our educational curriculum, we must extend our efforts to engage the public, local communities, and governmental organizations to bolster data literacy and empower our communities.

Lastly, the academic community bears a responsibility to advocate for the ethical and responsible use of data, particularly in evidence-based decision-making. We should champion data privacy and security, establishing guidelines in our country. While advocating for and demonstrating exemplary data usage, we should emphasize the significance of data collection throughout the entire policy lifecycle. As an academic community, we should collaborate with government agencies and international organizations, pooling resources, expertise, and existing data to make them openly accessible, thereby promoting scientific research and publications and fortifying mechanisms for knowledge dissemination. We must advocate for both horizontal and vertical coordination, facilitating the integration of policies from various fields and SDGs. Our role extends to producing evidence-based policy briefs that outline different scenarios through predictive modelling and analysis, foreseeing future trends and challenges pertaining to the SDGs. Employing various interactive and accessible data visualization techniques, we can ensure that data interpretations and associated insights are effectively conveyed through multiple channels to a broad audience, including policymakers and the general public.

In conclusion, let us remember that we, as Maldivians, have a significant role to play. We must lead all data-related activities because we are doing this for us. We must collaborate, find synergies, and chart our own course in bridging the data gap.

As we move forward, let's pledge to bridge this gap in areas of national need, such as climate resiliency, healthcare access, and sustainable urban development. Together, we possess the skills and relentless motivation to make our dreams of an inclusive, resilient, healthy, equitable, and sustainable society a reality.

May the Almighty Allah bless our work and guide us on this crucial journey.

Thank you and Asslam alikum