Faculty of Commerce and Economics Hosts Introductory Symposium on National Research Roadmap
Sana’a, Yemen – Under the patronage of Prof. Mohammed Ahmed Al-Bukhaiti, Sana’a University Rector, the Faculty of Commerce and Economics successfully hosted an introductory symposium on the Yemeni National Research Roadmap for its postgraduate students from all disciplines. The event took place today, Sunday, Safar 2, 1447 Hijri, corresponding to July 7, 2025.
Organized by the Dean’s Office of the Faculty and the Department of Business Administration, in collaboration with the General Authority for Science, Research, Technology, and Innovation (GASRTI), the symposium aimed to familiarize postgraduate students with the Yemeni National Research Roadmap. It also introduced them to GASRTI’s activities, future programs, and how postgraduate students can benefit from these initiatives and the facilities provided by the Authority.
In his opening remarks, Dr. Hani Al-Mughales, the Faculty Dean, emphasized the importance of the symposium in initiating serious discussions on developing a faculty-specific research roadmap. This roadmap, he stated, will include research priorities in administrative and economic fields, reflecting national developmental needs, narrowing the gap between scientific research and reality, and guiding researchers toward priority and practically valuable research topics within their various specializations.
Dr. Al-Mughales underscored the crucial role of academic departments in developing their research agendas as the cornerstone of this process. He also highlighted the importance of researchers’ contributions through the exchange of ideas, proposals, and diverse research experiences that contribute to this framework.
The Dean commended GASRTI’s activities and its pivotal role in preparing a unified research roadmap for the Republic of Yemen based on scientific and methodological foundations that address real-world problems and needs while exploring the country’s future aspirations. He extended his gratitude to GASRTI’s leadership for their cooperation and responsiveness in holding the introductory symposium, as well as their readiness to provide unlimited technical support to the Faculty in preparing research priorities in administrative, commercial, and social fields that cover the Faculty’s specializations and integrate them into the Yemeni National Research Roadmap.
Dr. Nasser Al-Muafa, Undersecretary for Research at GASRTI, spoke about the pioneering role of Sana’a University and the Faculty of Commerce and Economics in national development across the Republic of Yemen. He praised the Faculty’s graduates and the remarkable presence of its professors and affiliates in all fields.
Dr. Al-Muafa provided an extensive overview of GASRTI’s various activities since its establishment five years ago, along with its practical plans to implement the Yemeni National Research Roadmap. He noted that the roadmap has so far led to approximately 300 scientific research projects currently being implemented by researchers in Yemeni universities, research centers, and related entities. These projects cover vital topics related to agriculture, water, energy, and basic sciences. Dr. Al-Muafa emphasized that while administrative, economic, social, and humanitarian sciences have not yet been included in the Yemeni National Research Roadmap due to GASRTI’s previous work priorities, despite their significant importance, the time has come to address this. He lauded the Faculty of Commerce and Economics for highlighting this need through its initiative to hold the symposium.
In turn, Dr. Ahmed Abdulwahab Al-Arashi, a professor at the Faculty of Engineering, Sana’a University, and a member of the roadmap preparation team, presented a detailed overview of the Yemeni National Research Roadmap. He discussed the methodology and procedural steps followed in its preparation, the timelines of the preparation process, the tasks of the participating teams, the sectors covered by the roadmap, and the number and classification of topics within each sector.
Following the presentation, a discussion session was opened, where attendees praised GASRTI’s role in preparing the research roadmap. They raised inquiries and observations centered on the importance of including administrative and economic sciences in the research roadmap, considering their indispensable role in other fields. They also stressed the necessity of providing financial support for scientific research through the establishment of a research fund. Furthermore, attendees expressed their aspiration for GASRTI to play an active role in coordinating with other entities to facilitate researchers’ access to information and data related to the fields covered by the Yemeni National Research Roadmap.
The symposium was attended by Prof. Abdulrazzaq Al-Marrani, a faculty member in the Department of Business Administration and the symposium coordinator, along with several faculty members, Ms. Samira Qatah, Director of Postgraduate Studies at the Faculty, and postgraduate students from various majors and programs within the Faculty.
