Derasat Center moves up ranks of Pennsylvania University’s 2020 Global Think-Tank Index

Manama, Feb. 8 (BNA): The Bahrain Center for Strategic, International and Energy Studies (Derasat) has recently achieved an advanced placement on the 2020 Global Go-To Think Tank Index among more than 6,500 organizations ranked annually by the University of Pennsylvania’s Think-Tank and Civil Societies Program. Derasat was added to the TTCSP Index in 2018, placed at 42nd regionally; it made it to 31st place in 2019 and 23rd place in 2020, making a 19-place advancement in two years among 500 regional research centers and think-tanks. Derasat has also risen among the Arabian Gulf centers from 11th place in 2018 to 7th place in 2020. Derasat Chairman Dr. Shaikh Abdullah bin Ahmed Al Khalifa said that His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa’s support for scientific and academic research is the biggest incentive in enhancing the role of intellect in decision-making and institutionalizing research work, attributed to Bahrain’s openness and liberties, in the His Majesty's prosperous reign. This area is also of particular interest and endorsement from His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, in his view of scientific research, innovation, and human qualification as major foundations for sustainable development, and achieving progress and prosperity. Dr. Shaikh Abdullah described Derasat’s progress in global ranking as an assurance that the Center is affirming its role and presence as an esteemed, comprehensive, and international research establishment, capable of producing strategic knowledge, and that it has become instrumental to Bahrain’s soft power. Derasat’s Chairman also pointed to the Center’s qualitative development in terms of research outcomes, human resource skills, adopting specialized programs and launching unique events and initiatives. The Center also succeeded in creating a work environment in line with the comprehensive reform approach and the Bahrain Vision 2030. The latest ranking, according to the Chairman, is a positive indicator that Derasat is taking firm and confident strides towards achieving its goals and fulfilling aspirations, after completing the development plans and adopting international criteria for performance and output quality. Derasat will continue striving towards a higher international research position, especially with its efforts to utilize its UN partnership and cooperation with other influential research centers, besides affirming its role as a strategic ally to national organizations and a contributor to international understanding to enhance peace and stability, he added. Established in 1983, the Global Think-Tank and Civil Societies Program Index relies on several criteria. They include self-generated independent work; contribution to policy development; academic interaction with universities; public private partnership; degree of influence on decision-making based on the sum of intellectual thought generated; the ability to bridge gaps with other research centers and parties; and the level and range of presence in events and various media.