Investing in science and technology for sustainable economic growth

Today's economy is a knowledge-one, especially in the advanced countries. Technological innovation is considered a critical determinant of economic prosperity, and this is only possible through scientific research and development.

Although technological innovation occurs primarily in large corporations in developed economies, a significant amount of innovation is generated

by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), particularly in the high-tech sector such as information technology, telecommunications, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology. However, there are opportunities for private companies and research institutions in developing countries such as Bangladesh to contribute to technological innovations.

Investment in science education and research and development (R&D) enhances the development of human resources which lie at the core of all economic activities. Scientific research results in new inventions which have commercial value in that the research results could be used in producing new products, services or processes. Any new productive activity has the potential to have positive spillover effects on employment generation.

Dominance of advanced countries
As mentioned above, education and scientific research are key to longer-term and sustainable economic growth and prosperity of a country. This is obvious if we look at the current economic status of the advanced countries such as the United States, Canada, European countries, Australia and Japan. There is a causal relationship between high levels of education, technology development and economic prosperity. Education and training increases skills and functional knowledge which, in turn, improves productivity and enhances standard of living of people in a society.

The old adage "knowledge is power" is universally true and is not bound by time or borders. The dominance of Western countries in world affairs is mainly because of their superiority in technology, including high technology, achieved through scientific research and higher level knowledge that has helped them to achieve high and sustained economic growth, and accumulate wealth over time. The high military power of many Western countries is also due to the results of their large investments in science, R&D, engineering and technology.

Government's role
We recognise that the science and technology infrastructure in a developing country like Bangladesh is fragmented and has not advanced much compared to a developed country. For obvious reasons, Bangladesh is dependent on overseas technology for its educational and development needs. Any remarkable scientific and technological inventions are rare in the country. However, the government has a role to play in establishing and supporting an appropriate educational, research and business environment conducive to technological innovation in the economy.

While it is the private sector, especially the big companies, which should invest more in R&D, the government should facilitate the process of setting up the right infrastructure through encouraging science and technology education and training geared to the business and development needs. To conduct research and development, companies need skilled scientists, engineers and technicians.

What needs to be done by the government is to take stock of the current state of affairs relating to science and technology education and the industry needs in the context of development goals and targets of Bangladesh. Piecemeal and ad hoc approach to science education will be of little use unless a comprehensive science infrastructure, including science education and research, is developed and nurtured by the government.

The government should encourage the private sector, especially the large companies and corporations, to invest in scientific research and development for longer-tern business gains. Companies should also understand that some level of local R&D capabilities is good for indigenous technology development and growth of new business. This will contribute to increased competitiveness and profitability for companies in the long run.

The challenge is for the government to create an environment in which some technological innovations occur within the country through the development of an appropriate education and research infrastructure, and other necessary facilities. Adequate consultation with relevant stakeholders such as students, teachers, the science community, researchers, companies and corporations should be undertaken by the government to devise a national agenda for the improvement of science and technology education and R&D in the country.

Focus of intervention
The government has established a number of science and technology universities in the country over the last several years. This has enhanced the capacity of science education at higher level. But all levels of education should focus proper attention to science and technology education if the country wants to achieve real outcomes.

Primary and secondary education should get an appropriate focus on science and technology learning. Emphasis should be placed on both theoretical and practical aspects of science education so that students remain enthusiastic about their learning and feel committed to pursing science at later stages of their academic life.

To enhance the practical aspect of science eduaction, more investments need to be made by the government in establishing, operating and maintaining science laboratories in public sector educational institutions, especially at secondary school and college levels. Such investment is needed in the private educational institutions as well. This investment should include, inter alia, the procurement of relevant scientific instruments, equipment and other materials needed for scientific experimentation by students and teachers.

Teacher training and availability of science books at advanced level in Bangla are also critical to spreading, improving and strengthening science education in the country. Integration of science with engineering is also necessary which will facilitate developing new products, services and processes, and also for improving on existing products and processes.

While information technology has received some patronage from the government in recent years in terms of financial and other support, basic and applied science education still largely remains ignored. Of late, we have seen mushrooming of private universities in Bangladesh, most of which teach information technology and business management courses.

The relative absence of science education in the private universities is very conspicuous. Is it because the demand for science education is low compared to IT and business management, or because the costs of procuring necessary scientific equipment and materials and establishing laboratories are prohibitively high, and there is a shortage of science teachers in the country?

Science and technology education at higher levels need to be linked to practical application otherwise it would be a wasteful investment in terms of time, money and energy of students in particular and the society in general. This requires improvements in higher education to be linked with economic opportunities so that knowledge and skills gained through education can be applied to practical purposes.

While trading and commerce sectors employ people, it is the production sectors in agriculture, manufacturing or services that can create sustainable jobs for the vast pool of the unemployed people in the country. It is already clear that applied scientific and technological research has the potential to create new knowledge and ideas that can translate into new products, processes and services. This can contribute to increased productive activities in the economy, with a positive impact on employment creation.

Persistent and perpetual dependence on overseas countries for all technology needs has a risk in that it does not help develop any indigenous technology.

Incentive for local technology development

A viable and practical public-private partnership is a sine quo non for development of science and technology and business innovation in any country. Creating links between knowledge generation done through research and commercialisation of research results (eg, development of new products or business enterprises) is a key challenge for the government.

If Bangladesh wants to promote the development of local technology, then the government needs to establish an appropriate incentive structure which could range from tax benefits to grants programmes for research and development and commercialisation of research outcomes by the private sector companies. Inventors and innovators in the country need to be rewarded someway or other in order to create an innovation culture in education and business enterprises in particular and the society in general.

The use of technology by small and medium enterprises should also be supported through some incentive mechanism with a view to encouraging business development and improvement that will have a positive impact on employment generation, production and social development in the country.

In any case, if Bangladesh wants to catch up with some of its neighbours such as India in science and technology education and R&D, it must invest more in this field to achieve sustainable economic growth, fight diseases and repair environmental damages, to name a few problems.

Abdul Quader is a freelance contributor