XR Knowledge Management Expert - ESCWA
Mapping Extended Reality Ecosystem Across 22 Arab Nations
Company
United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA)
Location
Remote
Duration
Mar 2022 - Sep 2022
Role
XR Knowledge Management Expert & Lead Researcher
Overview
Led comprehensive research initiative to map the Extended Reality (XR) ecosystem across 22 Arab nations. Produced the 'XR Compendium' - a definitive knowledge repository analyzing AR/VR/MR technologies, business models, and regional readiness. Established XR community at ESCWA's Digital Enabling Platform for the Arab Region (DEPAR).
Challenge
Arab nations lacked comprehensive understanding of the XR landscape and their technological readiness. There was no unified knowledge repository analyzing XR business models, applications, and regional capabilities. Policymakers, entrepreneurs, and organizations needed actionable intelligence to drive XR adoption and innovation.
Solution
Conducted comprehensive multi-country research using mixed methods approach: in-depth interviews with 45+ XR experts and stakeholders, questionnaires from 200+ respondents, and field research across 5 countries (Egypt, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Lebanon). Synthesized findings into the 'XR Compendium' - a 200+ page knowledge repository documenting business models, technology readiness, policy frameworks, and workforce capabilities. Established DEPAR community platform with 500+ members for ongoing knowledge sharing and capacity building through 12 structured training modules.
Research Phase
Comprehensive XR Ecosystem Mapping Across 5 Key Arab Nations
Duration: 7 months | Participants: 9 junior researchers + Lead researcher
Research Methods
Key Findings
Impact: Identified 15+ distinct business model patterns applicable to Arab startups
Impact: Provided country-specific recommendations for technology infrastructure development
Impact: Developed training module recommendations and curriculum frameworks
Impact: Created policy recommendations for policymakers and regulatory frameworks
Impact: Prioritized 8 key application domains for regional focus
User Personas
Understanding the diverse needs and motivations of key user segments
د. فاطمة المنصوري
مديرة السياسات التكنولوجية
المجلس الوطني للتكنولوجيا
BACKGROUND
15+ سنة في سياسة التكنولوجيا واستراتيجية التحول الرقمي
GOALS
- •تطوير سياسات XR قائمة على الأدلة للدولة
- •جذب الاستثمار والمواهب في مجال XR
- •تموضع الدولة كمركز إقليمي لـ XR
PAIN POINTS
- •نقص بيانات شاملة عن نظام XR البيئي
- •فهم محدود للاتجاهات العالمية في XR
- •صعوبة المقارنة مع الدول النظيرة
"نحتاج إلى رؤى مدعومة بالبيانات لاتخاذ قرارات سياسية مستنيرة بشأن استثمار XR"
أحمد حسن
مؤسس شركة ناشئة
شركة حلول الواقع المعزز
BACKGROUND
8 سنوات في تطوير البرمجيات، أطلق مؤخراً شركة ناشئة في مجال XR
GOALS
- •فهم فرص السوق الإقليمية
- •الوصول إلى شبكات التمويل والمستثمرين
- •بناء شراكات عبر الدول العربية
PAIN POINTS
- •معلومات مجزأة عن الأسواق الإقليمية
- •صعوبة تحديد فرص الاستثمار
- •وصول محدود إلى الخبرة والإرشاد في مجال XR
"أحتاج إلى فهم شامل للمشهد السوقي لاتخاذ قرارات عمل ذكية"
د. ليلى إبراهيم
عميدة الكلية
كلية الهندسة
BACKGROUND
20+ سنة في التعليم العالي وتطوير المناهج الدراسية
GOALS
- •دمج XR في منهج الهندسة
- •تحضير الطلاب لمهن صناعة XR
- •إنشاء مركز بحثي متخصص في XR
PAIN POINTS
- •نقص أطر عمل منهجية لتعليم XR
- •صعوبة استقطاب أعضاء هيئة تدريس متخصصين في XR
- •فهم محدود لتطبيقات XR الصناعية
"نحتاج إلى إرشادات عملية حول كيفية تدريس XR وتحضير طلابنا للصناعة"
Implementation Approach
Research & Field Data Collection
2.5 months
- In-depth interviews with 45+ XR stakeholders across 5 countries
- Questionnaire distribution and analysis (200+ respondents)
- Field visits to 5 countries: Egypt, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Lebanon
- Technology infrastructure assessment
- Policy and regulatory framework analysis
- Workforce capability mapping
Data Analysis & Knowledge Synthesis
2.5 months
- Qualitative analysis of interview data
- Quantitative analysis of questionnaire responses
- Business model pattern identification
- Country-specific capability mapping
- Comparative analysis across 5 nations
- Findings validation with stakeholders
Knowledge Product Development & Community Building
2 months
- XR Compendium authoring and design
- Country profile template creation
- Training module development (12 modules)
- DEPAR platform community setup
- Stakeholder engagement and dissemination
Outcomes & Results
200+
Pages
Knowledge Repository - Comprehensive XR Compendium published and distributed across Arab region
5
Countries
Field Research - In-depth ecosystem mapping across Egypt, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Lebanon
45+
Stakeholders
Interviews - In-depth interviews with XR experts, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and educators
200+
Respondents
Questionnaires - Comprehensive survey responses from across the region
500+
Users
Community - Active members on DEPAR platform
12
Modules
Training Programs - Structured learning content for capacity building
Business Impact
- Established definitive reference for XR ecosystem across 5 Arab nations based on primary research
- Influenced national XR strategies in 3 countries through policy recommendations
- Built 500+ member community on DEPAR platform
- Created 12 training modules for capacity building based on field research findings
- Identified 15+ business model patterns validated through stakeholder interviews
- Provided country-specific technology readiness assessments based on field data
Research Visualizations
Key Learnings
Regional Context Matters
Key Insight
Technology ecosystems require nuanced understanding of local context, policies, and capabilities. One-size-fits-all approaches fail in diverse regional environments.
Knowledge as Infrastructure
Key Insight
Knowledge management and community building are critical for driving technology adoption. Shared understanding accelerates collective progress.
Business Model Diversity
Key Insight
Business model diversity enables XR innovation across different organizational types and sectors. Supporting multiple pathways increases ecosystem resilience.
Policy Foundations
Key Insight
Policy frameworks and workforce development are foundational for sustainable XR ecosystems. Technology alone cannot drive adoption without supporting infrastructure.
Collaborative Learning
Key Insight
Cross-national collaboration accelerates learning and reduces duplication of research efforts. Shared challenges benefit from collective intelligence.