Science
and technology are undoubtedly the principal agents of progress in the
modern world. True economic independence is not possible without a
significant degree of autarky in science and technology. Science must
become a component of the development of all mankind, particularly
the less developed ones. Developing countries must realize that change
is a natural phenomenon in human affairs and that development is
incompatible with a static and rigid view of the world. The spirit of
inquiry to find the facts and rely upon them needs to be encouraged and
propagated in the developing countries. There is something of cohesive
nature in all scientific explorations which determines and sets off the
process of future development. It has a certain long term purposefulness
about itself which promotes optimism. Indeed most of the problems of
under development are amenable to solution through appropriate
application of modern science and technology. The rapid advances promise
to transform the world beyond recognition in the coming decades.
The
industrialized countries spend 2 to 2.5% of their GDP on Research &
Development and utilization of Science and Technology. In contrast, the
allocation in most of the underdeveloped countries is negligibly small.
Various forums of United Nations recommend a minimum figure close to 1%.
Today, 95% of new science in the world is created in the countries
comprising only 20% of the world's population, while the remaining 80%
contribute only 5% towards it. This lopsided distribution of science
activity creates serious problems not only for the scientific community
in the Third World countries but also for the development of these
nations. Lack of technical know-how inhibits productivity which breeds
poverty and further diminishes investment. This state of affairs
increases the disparity between the advanced and the under-developed
countries, creating social and economic concerns at the national and
international level.
A
notable difference between the citizens of developing countries and
those of the developed nations lies in their attitude towards change. In
the developing countries, there is general lack of commitment towards
acquiring and enhancing scientific knowledge. Universities don't create
science or support scientific research. As such, there is a very small
number of active scientists and any effort made to promote science are
half hearted. Professor Abdus Salam, in one of his
articles, laments about the state of science and technology in
developing countries:
"......The Third World, despite its realization that science and
technology are the sustenance, and its major hope for economic
betterment, has taken to science as only a marginal activity."
The
best way to check this is through international cooperation for the
development of science and technology. It is not enough to provide loans
and capital but of equal or greater importance is the sharing of the
essential know-how in science and technology as well as in scientific
and technological education. Enlightened aid should aim at enabling the
developing countries to exploit their resources and stand on their own
feet. Science and technology cannot merely be transplanted in a country.
Transfer of technology per se is of assimilation, adoption and
application by the recipient state.
