Scientific approach to meet nation's social needs
Prof. Lutfor Rahman | Monday, 2 March 2009
Science is an essential means of meeting the most vital needs of society. After the Second World War, the unprecedented developments in technology demonstrated that the relation between science and technology was not fortuitous. This resulted in a widespread creed that, to reach social and economic development, every nation needed to invest in the creation of a solid scientific foundation as a prerequisite to achieve technological independence and attain the capacity to solve the problems that afflicted their societies.
Science began to be valued as the primary answer to all human problems. We are facing unlimited problems in almost all sectors including army, civil, public and private sectors. The recent incident in Bangladesh Rifles reminds us many similar unwanted situations in the world. Education, particularly higher education policy, should be given proper and timely shape immediately. For which solid scientific foundation is a must. This is the best way known to develop the new generation as global citizens.
Several countries in the developing world were quite successful in creating their own systems of science and technology and in training a considerable number of scientists. Despite investments, the effort did not result in the automatic solution to the most serious social and economic problems in the developing world. In order to keep control and reap the benefits of scientific and technological knowledge, it is fundamental to develop the ability to absorb the existing knowledge to create new things or to put old things in better ways.
The main aspect of science policy in the coming century for all countries should be policies for education, dissemination, networking and communication. A good education system is the only way to make sure that a nation has the capacity to hold to these goals permanently, that is to say, to maintain its capability to use scientific knowledge and technological innovation. Scientific cooperation with developed countries must also reflect out own realities and must be reoriented regarding our own interests.
We must face the fact that the solution to our social problems will depend on our capacity to establish a strong commitment by our national scientific communities to questions that affect us in the fields of health, education, food, sanitation, energy conservation among others. National or regional science exists when national or regional problems are treated according to the best standard of international science. It is expected that our wise policy makers will look into the matter carefully and make decision to create a solid scientific foundation for the greater interest of the country.
The writer is Founder Vice Chancellor, Science and
Technology University in Rural Bangladesh. He can
be reached at email: [email protected]
Science began to be valued as the primary answer to all human problems. We are facing unlimited problems in almost all sectors including army, civil, public and private sectors. The recent incident in Bangladesh Rifles reminds us many similar unwanted situations in the world. Education, particularly higher education policy, should be given proper and timely shape immediately. For which solid scientific foundation is a must. This is the best way known to develop the new generation as global citizens.
Several countries in the developing world were quite successful in creating their own systems of science and technology and in training a considerable number of scientists. Despite investments, the effort did not result in the automatic solution to the most serious social and economic problems in the developing world. In order to keep control and reap the benefits of scientific and technological knowledge, it is fundamental to develop the ability to absorb the existing knowledge to create new things or to put old things in better ways.
The main aspect of science policy in the coming century for all countries should be policies for education, dissemination, networking and communication. A good education system is the only way to make sure that a nation has the capacity to hold to these goals permanently, that is to say, to maintain its capability to use scientific knowledge and technological innovation. Scientific cooperation with developed countries must also reflect out own realities and must be reoriented regarding our own interests.
We must face the fact that the solution to our social problems will depend on our capacity to establish a strong commitment by our national scientific communities to questions that affect us in the fields of health, education, food, sanitation, energy conservation among others. National or regional science exists when national or regional problems are treated according to the best standard of international science. It is expected that our wise policy makers will look into the matter carefully and make decision to create a solid scientific foundation for the greater interest of the country.
The writer is Founder Vice Chancellor, Science and
Technology University in Rural Bangladesh. He can
be reached at email: [email protected]