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21 November 2006

The Fading Horizon

Science and Technology in Bangladesh

Zia Uddin Ahmed

Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Jahangirnagar University

Table of Contents
Preface One Two Three Four Five Six Seven Eight Nine Ten Eleven Twelve Thirteen Fourteen Fifteen Sixteen Introduction Science and Our Time Science and Socio-Economic Development Shadows of the Past Our Uniqueness: the Density Factor Biological Realism: The Context Neglected Science and Technology Policy Scientific Publications Professionalism in Science Science and Industry Interface S&T in New World Order Exploiting Advantages: Biomedical Research University: Sliding Pivot of Learning Premises of New Vision Beyond the Fading Horizon Concluding Words i

Preface

This book is an academic discussion on the nations science and technology issue. The discussion does not dwell much upon why our S&T has been of little productivity, but rather on how to infuse some level of productivity. Why things happen the way they do, belongs to philosophy. How things happen the way they do, is admittedly more relevant to us. This is the central theme around which the issues discussed here have revolved, contexts analysed, and course for action drawn. The core issue is the science and technology vision of the nation not the science and technology policy or action of the government. It is necessary to emphasize here that mention of the government that has been made in the book is done strictly in general terms. Both the custodians of science and the bona fide managers of the society must share the overall lapses in the nations scientific panorama. But this evaluation is certainly not an issue in this book. An appreciation of the contexts that have been highlighted in this book are more important than the laurels and lapses of one or the other. We should, however, bear in mind that our errors would not be overlooked in the changed world, and someday these would be corrected but in a manner that might not be without any pain to us. Some important aspects of science and technology in our country have been highlighted in a blend of personal opinion buttressed by facts. Some of the opinions expressed may trigger criticism, which I will accept with an open mind, although I

would maintain as one might notice in pages of this book that many of these views may indeed have escaped the attention of our scientists, science educators, planners and politicians, perhaps not by design, but by indifference. The aim of the book is to bring into focus some of these omissions in the hope of stimulating dispassionate debate on the important matter of the nations science and technology planning. I have procrastinated with this book for a long time but it has not been without benefit. During the intervening period many changes have occurred in our socio-economic panorama, some in a rather fast pace, that have further reinforced to myself some of the views that I have held for long. Publication of this book has not been without difficulties. As the book is one of debate on some serious issues, the points raised would necessarily be either for or against existing views, if they were to be of any use at all. Publishers quite understandably are concerned about the potential market, which in this case, seemed to bear little promise. I wish to acknowledge my sincere gratitude to my former student M. A. Hassan who came to the rescue, not for the first time, I should mention. I thank him for his goodwill and courage. I should mention that views and opinions expressed in this book are entirely mine, and these do not reflect those of the publisher or the institution where I work, Jahangirnagar University. Zia Uddin Ahmed Jahangirnagar University September 2006

One

Introduction
Facts of science are fascinating. Different people would admire the giants of wisdom from different perspectives. I have admired Darwin, Freud and Einstein for their incomprehensible depth of vision. These are the three giants who revealed to humankind what it really means to be human. They gave one precious gift to humankind the realisation of the nature of human being, and the place it occupies in the universe. Darwin spoke about the biological nature of the humankind, Freud gave a new dimension of the human existence that is real yet largely nonbiological, and Einstein showed perhaps the limits of the abstractive capacity of the human brain. They offered a plain truth a human being is both biological entity, and at the same time a super-entity in the vast expanse of the universe. Facts of biology are important in the context of both the individuals, and of the society. Appreciation of the importance of biology in the social dynamics of species is as much important today as it was in past. This is focused in the context of Bangladesh, a country quite unique in many ways. In different sections of the book, certain facts of commonsense biology have been discussed that we have ignored for long. This is not due to any intellectual inadequacy in the science of biology but rather it relates to the manner of our treatment of the subject. Biology contains the contentious subject of organic evolution, which conflicts with the idea that scientific

knowledge cannot fully explain the natural world and therefore brings forth the hand of God in drawing up the course of organic evolution. The issue of evolution has always been a matter of belief rather than one of hard-core science in the sense that despite overwhelming evidence in its favour, it cannot be proved by conventional methods of science since the process is bound by cosmic time scale. But an appreciation of the simple facts of biology as they influence our life is becoming increasingly critical for our survival in a meaningful manner. The chapters of this book have been organised in a general manner. In the context of science and technology planning, which involves many disciplines and complex interactions, it is important to appreciate certain attributes of the time and the place in which the process unfolds. The beginning of the book is marked by a cursory glance at science as it relates to our life today, and how the disciplines of natural science are now linked with the newer disciplines in the socio-economic sectors far more closely than it was in the past. A sharp focus on one unique aspect of our country has been made. This is described as the density factor1, which emphasises the population density rather than population size (although both are important and closely connected) as the critical determinant of many aspects of our life and the socio-economic profile of the country. The issue of social entropy, which will inevitably increase under the circumstances that we live in large population, high population density and severe resource constraints have been highlighted

1. Ahmed, Z. U. 2002. Biomedical Research in Bangladesh: Silent Frontiers of Opportunity. J. Asiat. Soc. Bangladesh Sci. 28: 63-80

not to spell doom, but for possible avoidance of its coming in the fierce form that is feared by many. An appreciation of the above facts is pivotal for our existence and this appreciation would constitute what I call biological realism, an important issue for us than it is for any other country of the world. One would note that on all these issues some dismay has been overtly expressed. I might have highlightd these issues far more strongly than they actually deserve, but this has been done because their omission has cost us dearly in all our activities, particularly in the important sector of science and technology. Biologists are generally apathetic to counting; the science of biology began with a descriptive tone, which has persisted to a large extent to date. But one should not ignore the fact that in the history of biology the act of simple counting produced wonders; it generated a highly revealing piece of knowledge on which nearly the whole of modern biology rests. Gregor Mendel counted the peas grown in the garden of the Austrian monastery and kept records of the number of different types of peas that appeared in his experiments. When he looked back into these numbers a pattern slowly emerged, the bits and pieces slowly began to fit into an order, which led to the foundation of modern biologys wonder, the science of genetics. Thus, if we are willing to do some simple calculations, these would reveal many important facts about, for instance, the limits of social forestry or of agro-forestry in our unique setting, or about
how much of prime land would we require to harvest a million kilograms of plant biomass to produce a commercially successful herbal product. Our position ought to be clear in terms of the biological perspectives of the country. The zeal of the supercow of

the 1970s is much diminished now. Cow needs grass, grass needs prime land as rice. If cows are to be fed on the available land, we ourselves must be condemned to starvation unless milk and meat can be produced in large enough quantities and sold in the international market at high enough price to allow us buy the necessary rice at

international price. If, in such simple matters we do some calculations, we would perhaps avoid costly mistakes, and certainly this would help us align our efforts in more productive directions. The fast changing world order requires us to think fresh as to how we can fit into the changing circumstances in a profitable manner. But many predictions, I frankly admit, that would surface through the book in more than a fair share may give one the painful feeling of a horizon that is doomed to be obliterated shortly. But this is certainly not the message that I wish to advance. We should look ahead with hope, and dedicate our efforts to conquest of the fading horizon. In this task history may be on our side, and in its achievement our faith in our ability must be called upon to play the lead role. I have tried to replenish this hope in the end. A course of action has been hinted, which may be worthwhile to consider in developing a strategic route for our science and technology planning. We might for the time being put relatively less emphasis on high level basic research in science, because it is far too expensive than our wealth might permit at this time. This is, however, not a blanket denouncement of basic research; instead it is to highlight the fact that basic research should be supported in a certain manner. That is, it must be both highly selective, and be given the best financial support so that

the attainments are of international standard. This is a serious matter and needs careful study in its planning. From practical point of view we should at this point of time search for our relative advantage in a globalised world, with an open mind as to the fact that our benefits would also be relative, and these would come in a simple equation of practicality which we must carefully weigh and try to maximise our benefit. This course of action would not be entirely novel and without any precedence in history. The human subjects that the Mayflower delivered in 1636 in the continent of American comprised a collection of highly enterprising talents who saw in their New World a new hope of life, a hope that Europe could not offer them over its long history. They found in their new land enough natural resources for which they had ready scientific knowledge derived from the European Renaissance. This gave them the opportunity to make the best use of the resources. Their journey thus began with inventions that are practical and useful, and channelling those into trade and wealthbuilding process of the nation. It took a long time but only after they had acquired sufficient wealth did they turn their attention towards the difficult terrains of basic science. If we prefer this route that is, if we decide to make a start with the technology readily available or technology that can be readily developed to facilitate nations wealth-building process, and then look towards basic science with the seriousness it deserves then one immediate question would arise. Who will do it? Can the government do it well under the prevailing circumstances in the country, or we should subject the process to the forces of free market? On this, perhaps, the answer would be as difficult as the question.

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**Human civilisation began with the discovery of fire some 50,000 years ago. It was heralded through harnessing energy that nature produces in the form of hydrocarbon bonds by the process of photosynthesis. Fire was created initially by igniting plant material, and much later by burning fossil fuel to produce heat, the kit for survival, and the tool for both war and pleasure. Then came in succession waterpower, wind power, steam, the internal combustion engine, and finally, nuclear power. Energy increased comfort, raised longevity of humankind but at the same time, it caused vast increases in their numbers particularly in areas with warmer climate and fertile land. Biologically, these two are often bad signals, which the world faces today with agony, but is inadequately prepared to confront. Also, we have been producing far too much heat from the hydrocarbon bonds than the planet can bear, and for this the posterity is destined to pay a heavy price. Standing on the threshold of the twenty first century, Bangladesh presents some remarkable contradictions that are discussed passionately but often with their meaning masked by unrestrained zeal and occasionally outright superfluity. We are deeply confused about what we have in terms of wealth and resource, and how to harness whatever we have in our hands. The confusion has its genesis in our past. The fertile land, mild climate and very high mortality of its people created a fatalistic mindset, sprayed with a mood of melody and rhythm but little of challenge and struggle. Then came a time when we had to traverse through the long and tumultuous time under the British Raj and its successor, the Pakistan rule. Our birth as the new nation of Bangladesh thus could not have been without problems, some of

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which are unfathomable, but for the most part, we decided to leave them unattended. As a severely resource-constrained country with a projected population of some 400 million by the end of the century living in a landmass of 148,000 square kilometres, which possibly represents the highest population density that any land mammal ever attained in the history of the planet, and the lowest per capita land and income, Bangladesh presents a nightmare. The large population is of course a resource, a capital that we have not yet seen in the right perspective. True, we know some facts with cocksure certainty. Our population is a potential wealth representing a huge market and very significant management advantages that come from the high population density in a very small landmass. Labour is cheap and will continue to be so in the foreseeable future so the country could be readily transformed into a manufacturing country, highly competitive in the global market. There will be great interest in the industrialised world in such a transformation of Bangladesh. This would cause rapid relocation of their industrial units in our country where these units would operate on low wages. From such relocation, the industrialised countries will derive three important benefits the venture will be highly cost-effective, their home country will stay free from the industrial pollution, and more importantly in the changed world today, it will reduce pressure of migration. But scarcely do we see the darker sides of these cocksure certainties. Business community is not prepared to see these with any measure of seriousness because these lie outside their immediate concerns of business and profit. Politicians are not

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sufficiently well oriented to appreciate their meaning. The intellectuals are far too busy in drawing the difficult line between vision and reality. The scientific community is stupefied by the conflict between high ideals in their world and the cruel realities on ground, with a fraction rapidly turning into triumphant tradesmen of some sort at a cost to the nation that they are unable to see. The scientists for their part like to live secluded in their own world and seldom like to venture into other fields. This makes them incomplete in one important way their knowledge on matters outside the narrow confines of their interest is no better than that of an educated layman. They can thus offer no real help to the nation in finding the right track. This deficiency on the part of the scientists is a serious problem in many developing countries of the world. Only a few of them have been able to come out of the conflict between high ideals and on-ground realities, and this has actually been made possible by the vision of nonscientists those few gifted politicians who could clearly see the role that science would play in shaping the destiny of the nation, and were able to mobilise nations scientific programme in fruitful directions. Sadly, we failed to reap any such benefits from our politicians perhaps for historical reasons, and partly due to our indifference. At any rate, it brought great misfortune for the nation. Creating wealth is complex. The prevailing notion that quantity of energy used and the amount of material progress achieved follow a simple relationship is now being questioned. The relationship between the quantity of energy used and the quantity of wealth created is fast becoming increasingly non-

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linear. Major revolutions the French Revolution, the Industrial Revolution are all based on human labour, manual labour for the most part. Modern science offers us labour-saving devices at an accelerating pace. The next social revolution would be one of a different kind, which is difficult to predict now, but it will not be based on human manual labour as its raw material. Energy of the muscle has been greatly replaced by energy of the machine, and vast improvements will be made on these machines in more energy-saving directions. Indeed, there are suggestions that substantial decoupling of energy and progress, not energy and work. Scientifically, energy and work are related, a certain amount of work requires a certain amount of energy. This relationship is universal. But progress has an element of subjectivity in it. Miniaturisation technology called nanotechnology is an example where machines operate on scales of a billionth of a metre, nanometre, allowing microscopic moving parts to do the work. With better scientific knowledge humankind may attain higher levels of progress with relatively less energy expenditure and less work done. This decoupling of energy and progress may be advantageous for some countries of the world provided that they own the knowledge and skill of the right kind. This is where we may have an advantage, but for this we need to orient our vision in our unique socio-biological contexts. This aspect has been highlighted in this book, often with unpleasant repetitions, as it seems that these contexts continue to be buried in a mess of chaos both within the intellectual community and the general public.

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The future offers us opportunities, and these would emanate from an important biological phenomenon the population density. No nation on Earth, for instance, will have to accommodate by the year 2050, as the trends in population growth suggest, close to 300 million people in an area just over 148,000 square kilometres! This huge population, and the high density might have some brighter sides that are yet not fully appreciated. There is also a unique physical-economic context. Bangladesh has a very low per capita income, but income generated per square kilometre of area is perhaps the highest in the developing world. This is a consequence of very high manland ratio, which inevitably leads to high physical density of economic activity1. However, the potential benefits of this phenomenon are not well understood at this time. Similarly, we have attained the highest cropping intensity in our land due to small land area and high demand for foodgrain. Sadly, perhaps we will also rank very high in the density of pollution of our land, water and air, measured as pollution level per unit area. Are we making correct investments for the distant future instead of making the most of the present, and hoping that gains made today will give us a better tomorrow as a natural consequence? Apathy towards long-term thinking is understandable, but a clear vision of the long uncharted terrain of the future should not be sacrificed at the altar of the dancing present. This will amount to courting with disaster. How are we going to chart the course along that long and difficult track? The questions that have been highlighted here are also the questions that are frequently debated in public forums, but with much superfluity. With no land for farming and cropping, and a huge population waiting in agony for food and shelter, have we

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correctly looked beyond the narrow confines of just the next few years, about how to capitalize our human resources? Our long-term planning must include significant

investments in creating the right kind of human skills that is, right kind of skilled hands through science and technology development, not just the skills of needle and thread, or of pulling the levers in industrial units. The skill must successfully compete globally; its competitive price and high quality should be a matter of envy for our competitors. The right skill will lead to sustainable wealth building capacity, a capacity that will operate with little or no dependence on land. Land is our scarcest commodity. It is fixed in area, its interior is yet largely unknown, and its exterior, and vertical space above is void. Our current level of prospecting does not show us any great promise. Trade and industrialisation, our primary preoccupation at present, is important for GDP growth. The manufacturing sector will unavoidably be our primary focus of growth as it was the case with Japan, which had in the past a nearly parallel scenario as ours with respect to people, land, energy and natural resources. But in Japan the powerful Samurai lords mobilized the people in highly productive directions. After the World War II, Japan owned a workforce that was a manufacturing miracle. Industrial productivity rose to unprecedented levels under Western managerial and technological inputs. We must think of our future in these directions. It is through S&T that we can hope to achieve lasting benefits, by producing hands and brains capable of trading with skill and knowledge in the art of manufacturing. If this is not done, if only unskilled hands are our main offering to the manufacturing

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sector, we may have to pay a penalty, a modern enactment of the classic saga of Uncle Toms Cabin workers with little salary but otherwise reasonably well-fed, the comfort of a good place to sleep, good entertainment and medical care all on the premises of the factory! Raising a family will be as a matter of course greatly discouraged, and a moving regiment of human beings will be created comprising human hands to do the work, but no human touch anywhere in life. Unfortunately, in a poor country perhaps the first casualty of the free market is the brain. To steer the nation out of this painful dilemma of the basket and brain scenario, it is necessary to stretch our vision far beyond what is most obvious; we need to create vision of a superior kind. I certainly do not imply that we should heavily invest in basic science to simply increase the reservoir of knowledge, but on science relevant to our specific purpose. Admittedly, today science is so heavily dependent on advanced technologies that we cannot hope to compete with the industrialised countries in grand schemes of basic research. We have to see what exactly is needed to reach the set goal by the middle of the century, and pursue it through with focus and force. Simply by making investments in S&T in terms of a certain portion of the GDP cannot bring the desired results. Radical changes in our mindset is essential we must dispassionately and with clear understanding ask the question: whether we want skill and product-creating science, or we want to pursue flambuoyant high-tone-high-ideal science with prospects for little immediate gain for the nation? As said before, experts believe that the world is gradually moving towards a separation of energy and progress, which is

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variously defined, but for us production of goods and services is of special significance in this context. Computer revolution and the emerging nanotechnology are some of the manifestations of this potential decoupling. All activities of humankind on this planet, both exploitative and competitive, are centred around the humankind itself, due to our possession of a superior brain, and on physical movement of mass on the planet such as movement of goods and people for pleasure and profit. Movement is work that requires energy to change position of mass against the gravitational force of the Earth. A fixed quantity of energy is needed to change position of a fixed quantity of mass to a certain distance in a certain dimension. Human ingenuity can only manipulate the efficiency of the energy use and diversify the work performed. Science is in effect a story of energy conversion techniques towards better efficiency, and of course, the story is yet incomplete. Humankind has not yet found the minimum energy by which an object can be moved to the greatest distance in the shortest time with the least energy. One can approach towards this minimum by more efficient use of energy. For instance, an aeroplane can be flown today from point A to B using a certain quantity of fuel. Better design of the craft and other manoeuvres, however, may cause considerable reduction in the quantity of fuel requirement, but the minimum energy by which the aeroplane could be moved from point A to B may remain illusive to humankind in operations within the Earths gravitational field. The flight of migratory birds across oceans for thousands of kilometres at a stretch, in some cases without much of food intake during the flight, may suggest the existence of highly efficient molecular motors in the birds and an energy utilization strategy that is extremely efficient. The best man-made machines perhaps

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are still too inferior to those nanoscale motors of the living cells. Whatever are the advancements made in the efficiency of energy use, labour would still be needed to operate even the nanoscale machines, where our advantage is expected to sustain. Progress in the past could be accurately measured by the quantity of energy used as Henry Adams described in his Law of Acceleration. The law predicted that progress would come to an end in the near future because of the very nature of progress, which is characterised by accelerating kinetics. The laws of physics clearly define the relationship between energy and work. Improving the energy efficiency parameters in any work would thus allow greater progress with lesser energy expenditure. If indeed this occurs, what will be our advantage as a country and a people in a socio-economic setting with many unique aspects? It is for us to see through it with a penetrating vision and chart the course of our life and living whether to live by the energy of a few individuals that is derived from the sweat and blood of the vast majority, or from superior skills of the vast majority for the fruits to be shared by all? It is not an easy task but it is both possible, and perhaps indispensable for us. We the background of a cultural heritage of which we can be genuinely proud. Our history bears testimony to our successfully creating and nurturing superior intellects, and many of us rightly think that we do possess people who could excel in science if conditions are right. In this honest zeal to excel, we often hear about centres of excellence for the talents to tread freely in their world of freethinking. No doubt centres for excellence are desirable but the difficult issue is how to attain the expected state of excellence? In the past, centres were created some of which are

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described as centres for excellence, but none could attain the expected lustre. One possible answer for this failure could perhaps be looked for at the backdrop of the generally poor level of scientific activity in the country, which created a situation in which these centres did not face enough challenge from within to attain a high scientific stature. Lack of challenge is a sure recipe for decay, which unfortunately might have happened in all of our scientific institutions. But the question is, how to inject the needed challenge? Internationalisation of institution through some mechanism may be one possible route but this must be properly done, not in the manner by which we have created the countrys first and lone Parliament-mandated international research centre in the biomedical field the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (ICDDR,B). The ICDDR,B was perhaps too hastily created where Bangladesh government retained little financial control over the operation of the centre that resulted in many operational problems later. Many who had been associated with this organisation, Bangladeshi scientists in particular, believe that a centre for excellence created by the government should also be adequately and effectively funded by the government and its operation entrusted with an international body as to its scientific programme and administrative management. If we are unable to do this at this time and in this manner, infusing the necessary challenge within it, we ought to pause and find out first the mechanism of how to operate it before spending much energy and resources. A centre for excellence ought to be one for excellence of knowledge, not of ordinary skills.

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Three

Science and Our Time

SCIENCE AND THE PAST If one takes the liberty of changing the term of the tense, the familiar sentence would read like It is the best of times, it is the worst of times, it is the epoch of belief, it is the epoch of incredulity, it is the season of Light, it is the season of Darkness, it is the spring of hope, it is the winter of despair ., and this would quite accurately describe todays world. All of these attributes, said in the superlative, are the contributions of science a transformed world with a strange blend of hope and despair, the like of which humankind never experienced in recorded history. Science began with accidental observations of natural phenomena incantations that linked led to empirical the generalisations. of The methodology applied was non-scientific comprising magic and with institution priesthood. Consequently, science was both traditional and esoteric. The former rendered scientific progress slow and difficult, while the latter turned it into an exclusive privilege of a few. It was the Greek who first pronounced that secrecy and traditionalism is evil in civilised existence of man. They proclaimed inherent freedom of the human mind and did not view man simply as an instrument representing the power of the gods, but as one with an intrinsic power to think freely and thus possessing the power to be creative. This was the beginning of modern science in which

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the Greeks excelled and reached lofty heights and thereby made the realm of free inquiry of mankind greatly expand. Over a period of several centuries that followed, free inquiry successfully created a large reservoir of scientific knowledge but it was different from todays science in two important respects. It was esoteric being devoid of any practical application because it was not necessary then for science to assume such a role. During the seventeenth century, profound metamorphosis took place in the application of science towards enhancing human comfort. Validation of scientific observations by established methods replaced authority of the state and priesthood, and the esoteric element was gradually removed by making provision for full revelation of scientific facts and open discussion. Often search for the unknown leads to a point where nothing seems coherent to the ordinary man. The universe appears incomprehensible with no beginning and no end; the place and purpose of man in the universe seems unclear; reality and imagination overlap to create a face of science that makes little sense to the common man. To this category of science the terminology basic science was applied, perhaps to suggest the lack of a better expression rather than to imply any uniqueness in its intrinsic quality. Parts of basic science invariably results in its application in day to day life of human beings, in the establishment humankinds mastery over nature, and in the illusive quest for conquest of destiny. This is commonly called applied science. The issue, however, is not one of basic science or applied science, but rather one of science that can be applied now and science that may have to wait longer for its application. The

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faster a piece of scientific knowledge becomes applied, the more applied is the knowledge; conversely, the longer is the time between acquisition of the knowledge and its application, the more basic is the knowledge. To most scientists this distinction is not meaningful because nearly all of what they do invariably begin with its potential application in mind. No science can be totally devoid of its potential application at some future date. The terms are, nevertheless, used frequently in the context of socioeconomic development concepts where scientific research that directly relates to achieving development targets is said to be applied research, while those lacking this attribute are classified as basic research. So, to the common people also, the image of science is one that is presented by the applied face of science, and image of the scientist is that of an individual in perpetual journey of making good things for human comfort. In the past, science was also a restricted activity involving only a small number of people who rarely produced things that were of any interest to the ordinary man. An element of amateurism was engrained in the quest for knowledge in the past. Love for doing the work was the major driving force in the undertaking. But science has now transformed itself into the engine that moves society it generates technology, shapes industry, reforms the marketplace, nurtures politics, determines how war is to be waged and neighbours killed. All of these are the marvels of science standing ever ready with solutions to problems, from the most trivial to the most profound. Science that had begun as a discipline of plain curiosity and love for acquisition of mastery over nature, has now also become a discipline of many ends material, commercial, political and cultural. With time scientific pursuits also became more

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professional, and with this the expectations of the society from the scientist also changed considerably. Today more is demanded of the scientist than simply curiosity and creativity. Society supports the scientist and the work done by the scientist; in return, it wants the scientist to descend from the ivory tower of creative curiosity to the practical problems that confront society. SCIENTIFIC DECADENCE Throughout the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, the progress of science has been one of accelerating kinetics. Use of energy is a parameter believed to be a reasonable indicator of progress. In the early 1920s, Henry Adams made some important observations in his Law of Acceleration, which suggest that like many other natural phenomena, the rate of progress cannot be limitless. Furthermore, a period of decadence may follow the decline leading to intellectual stagnation. Taken the length of time covered by the three classical periods of history the ancient period, the Middle Ages and the Renaissance the progress of science would appear to be fairly slow. A person with a life span of 100 years for instance living a few centuries back would have seen little change in his surroundings during his lifetime. To that individual the world would appear to be stagnant with no perceptible changes. On the contrary, in todays world every decade literally transforms the world beyond recognition. These dramatic changes followed an interesting kinetics. Many thinkers and philosophers who follow scientific developments believe that fundamental discoveries in science will slowly loose the accelerating kinetics that characterized the past. An example may be illuminating. If we look back to history, we

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find that fire was discovered some 50,000 years ago. Then a long period of 45,000 years passed to discover waterpower. Windpower was discovered another 3,500 years after water-power, steam-power only years 300 after water power, and nuclear energy came only about 150 years after steam power! These developments, which took place with the time interval between successive events reduced in a geometric scale, led to progress that can be measured by various indices energy consumption, per capita income, speed of travel, etc. Extrapolation of a curve relating index of progress using world energy consumption figures plotted in a geometric scale with time, leads to the depressing conclusion that in just over a hundred years from now progress will come to a halt as shown in the figure below. The index curve and the time axis will meet at a point of time along the vertical line signalling one of the most catastrophic events that can be imagined for the modern humankind. Progress is self-limiting, as the Law of Acceleration seems to indicate. Factors responsible for this are varied and not well understood; the human nature, the make and mode of working of the human brain admittedly play a role in the matter. The human brain seems to think in a circular manner, or perhaps it can only do so in this manner. From the tiniest matter such as the atom or subatomic particles to the vast universe, the fundamental structure appears to be circular with no free ends. As knowledge widens the circles rise up in spirals to form a tower of selfgratification; its weight then at some point of time triggers its collapse.

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1000 1000 10 1.0

Index of progress

0.1 0.01 0.001 0.0001 0.00001 1000 500 0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500

BC

AD

Henry Adams law of acceleration of progress based on

worlds energy consumption figures as index of progress1.

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Materialism, the unrestrained lust for consumption of the planets resources in a hedonistic passion, has its counterpart in what is called in modern times consumerism. Consumerism is infectious. The American think tank Worldwatch predicts serious negative effects of consumerism on the planets physical conditions, or indeed its existence in a habitable state. Today the tides of consumerism are affecting people almost throughout the world, in the past it affected only a few countries and a few hundred million people. It has now transited into what is called global consumerism with more than a quarter of the worlds population that now belong to the consumer class. Many developing countries are moving fast to join the caravan of consumerism. Global consumerism is ecologically unsustainable. Every barrel of oil burnt, every extra car a person owns, every extra mobile telephone one owns leaves an indelible mark on the well being of the planet. The consumer class will increase in size as the world population increases. When world population doubles in about 50 years, one may look back at Henry Adams projection. The index of progress will then stand at 500 from todays 1.0, and by then the curve will rise independent of the time axis, perhaps signalling the end of progress. At the present trends of growth of consumerism throughout the globe, Worldwatch predicts, the planet will face an ecological catastrophe. Such consumerism cannot be sustained, so the unforeseen doomsday scenario may be inevitable. Unless realistic ideals emerge, the predictions of Henry Adams may prove to be correct. In the plot the vertical axis represents in the logarithmic scale, the index of progress based on energy use and the horizontal scale is the time axis. The 1960 level of the index is

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arbitrarily given 1.0, representing 100,000-fold increase over the baseline of 0.00001 at 1000 B.C. When the line is extrapolated into the future it presents the unbelievable prospect that even if the 1960 level of progress represents only one-thousandth of the ultimate limit, that limit would be reached around 2160. If energy consumption and progress loose their traditional relationship and are uncoupled (discussed in the last chapter), the intrinsic character of the line would not change, only the time to reach the limit would be less or more depending on the rate of acceleration of the parameter, that is, the index of progress. Many analysts believe that over the recent past mankind has failed to make any significant fundamental discoveries. Despite this dismal display of mankinds seemingly lost ingenuity, we will see unprecedented rise in the application of the hitherto earned fundamental knowledge in the form of inventions and discoveries derived by combinatorial mix and match of existing knowledge. This will again follow a geometric pattern leading to increasingly rapid change in the worlds materialistic contours. Todays progress in information technology, which seems phenomenal, is but a small outcome of the basic discoveries that were made only a few decades ago on the structure of the atom and quantum mechanics. The diversion of human energy towards refining the matter-market equation, which characterizes the social dynamics of the world today, means that the era of fundamental knowledge will probably be at ebb over the foreseeable future. The very fast accelerating kinetics of progress would virtually ensure that it ceases to be a lasting phenomenon. Even if the rate of acceleration of the index of progress falls, the predicted limit would still be reached within a couple of decades.

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Lack of any fundamental discoveries, however, sharply contrasts the ever-accelerating kinetics of the application of science. To add momentum to the pace of application, joint venture projects are undertaken in science similar to what one sees in business. Examples of such projects include projects on space research in the physical sciences, and in the biomedical frontier, the Human Genome Project. These so-called megaprojects are not projects of just scientific curiosity; these have enormous economic potential because these will give greater control over deep space and perhaps in the manipulation of human destiny. SHIFTING IMAGE OF SCIENTIST This shifting image of the scientist from the creator of knowledge to an enhancer of material comfort is a significant change that should be understood by the scientists. The scientist is expected to give the society products of comfort without which the scientist will be deemed unsuccessful in obligation to the society, therefore, and unworthy of the resources spent on the work done. Both the public and those who shape public opinion, the politicians, are closing the gaps between themselves on this issue, thereby lifting the utilitarian face of science to a higher level of public expectation. This often gives the impression that academic science has nearly been abandoned, restricting it to only a gifted few who can potentially give more to society in the longer term and thus from them the society demands less in the short term. Experiments of sound scientific merit would obviously go to the credit of the scientist but this would by no means ensure

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sustainability of science. The work must match with the ordinary expectations of the society. Thus scientists today cannot afford to be afraid of discourses with politicians and the government on the plea that the politicians do not understand the language of science. If indeed politicians do not understand science, which unfortunately is true to a large extent in our country, they have to be trained to understand the basics of science for meaningful dialogue with the scientist. Effective communication between the scientist and the government is far more important today in this era of globalisation, than it was ever before. Our inherent attributes as a nation have to be understood by the scientists as well as by the public. Our future depends on the precision with which we see the future. With population density already the highest in the world, what sort of country will it be how to serve this population after fifty or a hundred years from now? What ought to be the role of the scientist in the new millennium and what should be the platform on which we should base our science and technology activities? Can we, or should we work at this time to develop our own technology or we should adopt existing technology, adapt it to our needs and then, after the lift-off of our own S&T craft, undertake innovative S&T? Every country has to exploit its relative advantages. How much do we really know about what is our relative advantage today, and what will it be a many decades later?

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Three

Science and Socio-Economic Development

BASIC AND APPLIED RESEARCH The relationship between science, technology and socioeconomic development often appears unclear to the scientist. Many scientists are stern defenders of academic freedom and are thus reluctant to recognise that basic research and applied research represent a legitimate division in science. Indeed, the role of basic research that enriches the reservoir of human knowledge and that of applied research, which leads to the development of technology, has often been the subject of passionate debate within the scientific circles and between scientists and development economists. Throughout human history hardly there has been any knowledge that was not put to practical application, or had not contributed to the development of applied knowledge. The form of chemical science practised under the system alchemy in Hindu, Chinese and Islamic civilisations, which later led to the understanding of chemical reactions was entirely driven by curiosity, and thus would be classified as basic research in our terminology. Although practised by many people, the system of alchemy was mainly located in the Nile delta. The article Al is from Arabic and Khem was a word associated with the black soil of the region. This primitive system bears testimony to Muslim contributions made to the more precise scientific methods developed later, and it is believed that the science of alchemy led

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to elucidation of the structure of atom, establishment of the relationship between matter and energy, and to the discovery of many other fundamental laws of nature. Science has given us the power to probe into the vast quantity of energy that resides within matter, which we have harnessed to promote our comfort, and also kill compatriots. It is in the very nature of knowledge that some knowledge finds immediate application, some takes a longer time. It is the time interval between a scientific discovery and its application, which differentiates how basic or how applied is the discovery. The shorter is this time span, the more applied is the discovery; the longer it is, the more basic is the knowledge. No scientific discovery is truly divorced from its potential application at some point of time. Yet there has been the necessity of making a distinction between basic science and applied science, but the context has not always been clear to the scientists. There are three views among the scientists with respect to the relationship between science and technology on one hand, and socio-economic development on the other. The hard-core liberal scientists are of the view that science should be granted complete freedom to explore into the realms of the unknown without regard to the utilitarian value of the discoveries made, and consequently therefore freedom from any interference from the considerations of socio-economic development. In support of this notion they often cite examples from the past history of science when such freedom was inherent in the work of the scientist, and yet the knowledge gained had profoundly influenced socioeconomic development. Science, when allowed to develop in this manner, will in their view automatically lead to the development

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of technology as a natural consequence. They argue that the natural history of the scientific process itself virtually ensures this transformation. These hard core liberal scientists maintain a strong stand on the freedom of science and are seen to use expressions such as science is universal, it has no boundaries, and that the priority in scientific research which is required by the development planners must come from the evolution of science itself, not from the development needs. As such, they do not appreciate any intervention in scientific freedom. There is a second category of scientists relatively moderate than the classic liberals. They take a less strong stand on this issue of total scientific freedom and favour the position that while scientists should have freedom of inquiry, in the practical world it is often necessary that the government support the scientists with necessary funds in their quest for knowledge. It is the government who has the primary responsibility of generating economic resources through development activities and the scientists need this resource for their scientific pursuit. The scientist thus bears both a moral obligation and a partnership liaison with the nations economic wealth-building process. Therefore, in order to secure proper funding for scientific research, the scientists must convince the government that a part of their activity closely relates to development needs of the nation. Thus this category of scientists would accept a moderate degree of regulation in their activity, but they still do not believe that science should be turned into a fully planned social activity. They think that such planned science can be potentially harmful because it would subdue the faculty of free inquiry inherent to the human mind, and would thus limit the progress of science. Freedom of scientific thinking must not, therefore, be

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compromised radically in order to ensure full exploitation of science for human welfare. The third category of scientists is represented by what is called techno-economists, a blend of technologist with the zeal of a development economist. Techno-economists believe that all scientific activities and must these closely must be relate fully to technological with development, integrated

development planning as essential part of socio-economic development. They do not give any special status to science and technology, but hold the view that it as an integral part of development. Their view is that socio-economic development will determine the course of science and technology development, including basic research. Basic research, according to this hypothesis, will draw strength from the socio-economic development scenario, not as a distinct activity of the scientist carried out in isolation and often in unrivalled freedom. Today, this is the system, which largely characterises the worlds leading economies and is essentially based on the market forces, not controlled by the machinery of the state. Admittedly, market forces have successfully driven the course of both basic research and technology development in many developed countries, and the techno-economists therefore argue strongly in favour of this strategy as one of proven productivity, and thus of inherent merit. The hard-core liberal scientist may prefer to see scientific planning as a distinct activity form technological planning, and hence a separate policy for basic research, which will be distinct from that of applied research. This distinction, however, carries the risk of blurring the important fact that a scientist has often some qualities of a technologist, as much as a technologist has

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some qualities of a scientist. Many scientists, therefore, do not favour this view, although a separate basic research policy in a developing country may be a worthwhile issue to consider under some circumstances. The kind of research, which is highly basic, is not possible for the developing countries to pursue due to technical and financial constraints. So it may be desirable that some guidelines are adopted as to the scope of basic research in the specific country situation, a guideline that one would expect to emanate from the national science and technology policy of the country. About this subject more will be discussed later. RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT In contrast to the relatively accommodating distinction between basic science and applied science, scientists are more bewildered by such terms as research and development, which they often encounter while aligning their discoveries with national development. Overall, the relationship is not all that complex although differences in interpretation might exist. Science is the parent, technology its offspring. Only a small fraction of all that scientific research produces is useful in terms of material comfort, to which we give the attribute of technology. To identify which technology has the desirable property of usefulness, and the ability to enhance socio-economic development, a certain type of research (R) is required that is specifically targeted at socio-economic development (D); hence the expression Research and Development, in short R&D. Scientists appear to be confused why should science have a special relationship with any particular societal activity. To many of them the logic that all inventions of science would lead to

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development in due course seems quite obvious. They wonder about the special quality that renders science particularly relevant to development, and ask what sort of research represents development research? Although difficult to appreciate by the scientist, the role of science has been increasingly emphasized in development and economic planning over the past few decades. Unfortunately, however, the context in which this has come to the forefront of planning remained largely beyond the purview of the scientific community. A combination of two facts could be responsible for this lapse. First, no serious efforts are made by the economic planners to create an interest among the scientists in this particular subject. Second, the scientists themselves are refractive to the issue, which they think belong largely to the planners. Admittedly, these two classes scientists and

development experts are distinctively different in outlook, which made the task of bringing them together on a common platform difficult. For this, it is necessary to introduce some fundamental changes in the mental picture of the scientist, a task neither the development experts found opportune to address, nor the scientists showed any interest to understand. This caused considerable harm to both the communities, and needlessly led to much of scientific and development efforts to be misdirected. The concept of Research and Development may not always be easy for the scientist to comprehend. Economic development requires that proper research be conducted on economic planning, which should enable a nation to chart the most productive course. The vast majority of the scientists would

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readily acknowledge the significance of this type of research, which to them is entirely related to socio-economic issues. They would agree that information generated through such research is important so that the research is correctly integrated into the development process. Similar to socio-economic research, it becomes necessary at some stage of development to also integrate science and technology research into the development process. In the developing countries, economic planners and development experts felt the need of creating of specialised institutions with the primary objective of carrying out scientific research whose relevance to the development process is immediate, for example, research that will immediately help the industrial sector either in better operation of existing industries, or in creating new industries. Generally, this type of institution is called R&D institution, which form an important part of the nations science and technology (S&T) sector. There are similar developmentrelated institutions in the socio-economic sector as well such as institutions dedicated to studies on economic development, market research, biomedical research, and socio-anthropological research, etc. Historically, basic research in various disciplines of science is restricted to the universities. However, some specialised R&D institutions in the developed countries also carry out significant amount of basic research. Many of these institutions became, in the course of time, not only the centres of excellence for cultivation of basic science, but have also made great contributions towards its application to socio-economic development. Some such institutions are even operated by industrial organisations. For instance, the Bell Laboratory in the USA is operated by the Bell Telecommunications Company, a

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global corporate giant. Many scientists who worked here carried out highly significant basic research that earned them the Nobel Prize in their respective fields. The discovery of the transistor was made in the Bell Laboratory, so also many other fundamental discoveries bearing on such highly theoretical issues as the origin of the universe and the Big Bang. Such institutions in which basic research is as much important as research on making products of commercial value, are supported by the society in some countries as an economic investment into the future towards enriching the repertoire of knowledge. In developing countries, the R&D program has various versions. Also, the notion of S&T and R&D varies with confusing overlaps. It is not always clear to the laboratory scientist what precisely is the relationship between these two. But in many instances, these are dealt with together in the economic planning process of the country, and often used interchangeably. This phenomenon is particularly noticeable in the developing economies. In developed economies, these terms are less pertinent presumably because the expressions S&T and R&D relate the development process, that is, to raise the socio-economic level of the country above a critical level, a task that has already been achieved by the developed economies long time back. In the developing countries, the process of planning has to be carried out under various constraints, which inevitably requires very stringent prioritisation of development activities. In this context, S&T is the fuel that provides the necessary energy to the prioritisation process and R&D is the vehicle that moves forward the various priority sectors to productivity. Science and technology is a bifunctional activity; it includes, on the one hand,

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scientific research of both basic and applied nature and, on the other hand, creation of scientific and technological manpower through universities and technical institutions in order to provide the driving force to the development process. DEVELOPING COUNTRY SCENARIO In the developing countries there is an operational problem confronted by the basic research institutions such as the universities. Some of the knowledge that these institutions produce bears immediate potentials for application, but these institutions are ill prepared as to their capability, or their willingness to carry the knowledge beyond the perimeters of the laboratory. Thus, the knowledge gained by them faces an immediate hurdle in application since the discoverer usually does not understand the market, and the mechanism by which the invention is to be placed into this unfamiliar world. Scientific curriculum consistently lacks exposure of the scientists to this strange world. In the industrialised countries, government funding is usually restricted to studies of very fundamental nature that carry high potentials for application. Examples of such fundamental research include projects such as sequencing the human genome that contains over three billion genetic letters arranged in defined sequence, or projects in areas of high-energy elementary particle physics, or deep-space research. Once the basic research is completed under government funding, the knowledge acquired in the process is transferred to the private sector where the necessary pre-industrial research is carried out, often through generous tax incentives granted by the government. Following this, the

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industry comes forward, and only after the needed R&D work carried out by the industry, the product is commercialised. All major industries in developed economies spend large sums of money in R&D activity, and all of these companies maintain a full-fledged research laboratory with the most modern facilities and are staffed with the most enterprising scientists. The cost of R&D activities that the industries incur is quite substantial for which generous tax benefits are again offered by the government. Usually, government spends about one-tenth for the basic work, while the rest is picked up by the industry in a strongly competitive free market in order to turn the basic work to commercial products. Thus, in a developed country setting, the linkage between institutions of basic research and those in the industry is direct. Governments responsibility is restricted to initiation of the research and to giving an early momentum to it. Industry then assumes the responsibility of moving it ahead in practical directions, making substantial investments to transform the basic research into products of value. Competition within the industry leads to the development of newer products that are offered at competitive prices, so that governments tax incentives ultimately come to the benefit of the consumer. The development scenario in third world countries, on the contrary, is different. Here the industrial sector is primarily concerned with manufacturing the goods for which production technology is already established, and readily available. Thus, availability of the technology along with the necessary raw materials, allows the industry to operate satisfactorily. The industrial sector in developing countries is thus essentially a manufacturing sector with no pressing need, or scope, for investments on research for developing new products. Since an

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industry in a developing country can be quite viable simply by making products under license from foreign partners, it is not interested to invest in R&D because of the inherent risk involved in the venture and slow return on the investment. In this setting, which is characteristic of the industrial sector in most developing countries, the R&D activity becomes an important mandatory function of the government. The government does this task of transferring basic research into technology through a special type of institution, which is widely perceived by development experts as a worthwhile step in the process. These specialised institutions became the R&D institutions to serve as a link between basic research on one hand, and technology development on the other. Traditionally, the laboratory scientists more readily understand R&D institutions as organisations dedicated to the development of useful products. But many R&D institutions, particularly in the agriculture sector, do not generate industrial products but crop varieties that are then field-tested by these institutions for performance. These institutions also undertake farmer-training programs through extension services in order to promote the product, and ensure its widespread use. Similarly, in the health sector, many institutions classified as R&D institution, do not carry out any product development research, but undertake a type of field research called operations research which addresses, for instance, such issues as how to ensure optimal use of biomedical products and services to maximise health benefits in a cost-effective manner. Since these activities are part of the nations development process, the operations research carried out by these institutions is also considered as R&D work.

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In the industrialisation process of a developing economy, it is necessary for the industry to participate in some R&D activity. The government with various incentives, quite modest in most cases, supports the industries to carry out R&D work. A small part of this R&D work is directed to new product development, but most of it is employed in increasing the product diversity. Here, some basic research is necessary in order to maintain a competitive edge in a free market, but the research is primarily targeted at already commercialised products, such as making improved versions of a product with better consumer acceptability. Thus, the characteristics of R&D work carried out by the formal state sponsored R&D institutions in developing countries, and the R&D work carried out by the industry are somewhat different. The former may be called institutional R&D work, and the latter industrial R&D work. THE BEWILDERED SCIENTIST To the vast majority of the scientists and to those in scientific administration and policy formulation, and also to the young scientists in their studies, the relationship between science, technology and development is not easily understood for reasons mentioned. In the university, the science curricula do not address these issues. Students with their natural inquisitiveness only get an exposure to the sublime face of science. While the role of applied science for the society is widely emphasised in seminars, meetings and workshops, and there the students are inevitably reminded of their obligations to the society. Sadly though, almost nothing is taught in the formal curricula about how to fulfil these obligations. Thus when they leave the university, they fail to align themselves with the complexities of the situation, and with

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the high expectations that the society places on their talent. They suffer a shock of adjustment and are bewildered at the very beginning of their career. Correct alignment of the scientist with the needs of the society is essential for turning the wheels of socioeconomic development, but for this task, the scientist must acquire the correct vision early in the career This is supremely important in poor countries in particular, because bright young scientists need a worthwhile platform to relieve the load of their energy, which if lacking, would inevitably lead to their exodus. A worthwhile programme, which is sufficiently stimulating to these young scientists, will be able to retain at least some of them, and this small fraction may make significant contributions to the nation. No worthwhile attempt has so far been made to impart this sense of obligation in an effective manner to our young scientists. There is production of trained professionals in different disciplines agriculture, medicine, forestry, industry, education but these professionals are led to work in a stereotypic structure. Except in a small number of research institutions, which had a sharp focus in its scientific objectives aided by the institutions external linkages, in most R&D institutions there is a noticeable vacuum in pragmatic research direction, although the institutionbuilding process never stops. Today some basic knowledge of different subjects has to be acquired by any serious professional in any discipline. Students of business studies will be in a better position to adjust themselves to the demands of their profession if they have a background of science. This is notion is highly appreciated by schools of business all over the world with the result that in most

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institutions, foundation courses are offered in subjects such as physics, chemistry, biology, and interestingly but admittedly highly justifiably, courses on psychology and philosophy. Scientists, who have traditionally preferred to work in isolation in their world, ought to have similar sojourn through the terrains outside their laboratory. This will enrich their thinking, and impart an element of practicality in their work, an ability to plan and execute science that will match with expectations. Much of the disappointing performance of our R&D institutions, however, could have been averted by one simple contingency that is, if the R&D scientists were exposed to the world of business, to the concept of feasibility study, cost-benefit analysis, and resource management from the very beginning. For this purpose, specialised training is needed that would allow asking the right question and finding the right course of action, an analysis which in the world of business and economic planning, is a routine affair. Scientific projects in the R&D area must also be subjected to such analysis, because business begins where R&D ends. Suitable training on these issues is essential during early years of scientific education, particularly for those scientists who will be working in R&D organisations. Such planning exercises are usually associated with expressions such as feasibility study, techno-economic feasibility study, cost-benefit analysis, marketing issues pertaining to demand, and product competitiveness, is quite foreign to our scientists because they have never been exposed to these issues. A scientist may be quite happy if calculations show that a product made through the method he or she has developed will cost half the international price, but to a pragmatic feasibility analyst, this

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margin would be entirely unsatisfactory because of the knowledge that complex forces of the market can fast erode this small margin, and thus the analyst would not be satisfied unless the margin of profit is several times higher. In the absence any exposure to these issues, the scientist can nevertheless climb up the career ladder, and at some point quite late in the career, these issues slowly begin to creep up in the mind of the scientist. But by then many years have already passed in only scientific curiosity, wrapped up by the honest belief that the work being done was prudent, and perhaps well intended. A thick cloud of frustration covers the mental horizon of the parting scientist. The long years of work done raises in his mind the very same questions that ought to have been asked at the beginning, but now time is no more in favour. The successor of the parting scientist begins the unfinished work to repeat the blunders of his predecessor. The cycle continues in this shocking pattern. Preparation of the scientist along the lines indicated above could possibly reduce the pain significantly, if not eliminate it altogether, and much of the tragedy of errors could have been averted. This subject pertains to professionalism in scientific pursuits, which will be discussed in a later chapter.

Four

Shadows of the Past

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THE TROUBLED TIMES In 1958 the Indian Parliament witnessed an act of farreaching consequence for the nation. It was the Parliaments endorsement of a resolution moved by the Prime Minister of India Pundit Jawaharlal Nehru. This resolution, a scientific policy statement, indicated firm intention of the government of India to support S&T to secure for the people of India all the benefits that can accrue from the acquisition and application of scientific knowledge. The resolution in later years became almost a constitutional obligation to Indian politicians, and the promised benefits are today obvious to the world. Sadly, we accomplished very little in this regard, and as one goes through the pages of this book one would not miss the bitter taste of this failure in the important sector of science and technology. It is to be admitted that from the very outset we failed to correctly perceive, as a people during the Pakistan time, and as a nation after we achieved independence, the important matter of what ought to be the nature of our science and technology efforts in the context of our country. We failed to appreciate our unique attributes socio-economic, geo-political and cultural. It is obvious that our scientific efforts over the past decades beginning from the Pakistan time were led by some highly inappropriate models, based on faulty perception of facts often under predetermined purposes. This eclipsed from our vision the realities and contexts that are unique to us, which thus contributed towards much of our efforts being misdirected. Sadly, we failed to appreciate these lapses at that time, and there is little sign that we are today doing any better in this regard.

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Debates on the subject of science and technology in Bangladesh have so far been a monotonous narrative, devoid of incisive analysis. Serious books on the subject have been practically non-existent. Recently, in 2002 and 2003, the Bangladesh Academy of Sciences organised two national symposia on science and technology. Its proceedings were published under the title Bangladesh Vision-2021. Many top scientists of the country, and speakers from abroad took part in the conference and deliberated upon a broad spectrum of topics that covered all important national issues on science and technology. The stated purpose of the symposia was to evaluate and assess the progress of the scientific activities in R&D institutions including universities, with a view to formulating an action plan for Science and Technology Vision 2021. The two proceedings contain over twenty papers, and as it is conventional for most scientific meetings, the proceedings carry a long list of recommendations for the government to implement. In these proceedings, there are some papers with very critical analysis of some problems of the country problems of industrial research particularly highlighting the countrys premier state-funded research organisation, the Bangladesh Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (BCSIR), a very critical and substantive analysis of the countrys tertiary education, and some worthwhile analysis and visions on the future of Bangladesh. But there were also many papers that said things in a stereotypic tone containing little novelty. Many of the discussions made repeated references to the constraints that have impeded science and technology development in the country, constraints that are almost routine incantations in most of our public and private discussions, and in the numerous seminars, symposia and workshops that are held

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every year. Many of the papers give the feeling that the problems were examined rather superficially, and the solutions suggested were much too general. Many of the suggestions are far too ambitious and, of course, beyond our capacity to implement in the time and on the scale envisioned in the vision 2021. No discussions were held or even reference made to the most critical and unique contexts of the country. The impressive list of suggestions and recommendations had also failed to chart a focused strategic vision based on a balanced understanding of the inherent characteristics and constraints of the country. The geographic region that comprises Bangladesh and the adjoining Indian state of West Bengal had been the cradle of a rich culture. Science, fine arts, literature, poetry, music and sculpture, all flourished in this region due to some opportune circumstances. The area represented a relatively affluent part of the sub-continent because of a mild climate and fertile alluvial land. The region also enjoyed the advantage of geographical isolation, being located far away from the north-eastern part of the Indian sub-continent, the traditional route of foreign invasion of the sub-continent. These provided an atmosphere of social tranquillity and nourished the creative faculty of its people. The winds of creative work blew throughout the British colonial period up until the World War II, when waves of great socio-political changes swept through the continent. The Asian region saw a rapid redrawing of its political map, and was compelled to brace for many far-reaching social changes China became a communist state, India and Pakistan earned independence to be followed soon by Burma. A period of turmoil followed that threatened to engulf the entire region. Then the cold war spread its ominous wings over the region. Bloody battles raged through the greater parts of South East Asia.

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Pakistan ignited the flames of its own split within decades after independence by poor political management of the country, which thus ensured the addition of a new country to the map of the region Bangladesh. Muslims of this subcontinent systematically treaded along a wrong track with respect to liberal education ever since the fall of the Mughal Empire, perhaps due to a sense of vanity, or due to a sense of guilt that sprang from the emotional aberrations of an eclipsed power. Gradually, the East India Company tightened its grip of administrative power in India as the semi-official agency of the British Crown, a power given to the Company in 1773. The Company retained this honour until the Sepoy Mutiny of 1857, led by the weak Mughal ruler Bahadur Shah II. The mutiny was crushed within a year, and the British Government felt that it was now time to rule India directly from England. The British Parliament enacted legislation in 1858 under the title Act for the Better Government of India that transferred full administrative authority of India from the East India Company to the British Crown. Muslims of Bengal had long maintained a protracted isolation from the majority people of the subcontinent, the Hindus, perhaps for some measure of social distinctiveness. However, this led them to choose a defeating path. They developed an apathy towards modern education, including learning English, possibly due to overt zeal in the newly acquired religion mixed with an inappropriate appreciation of the reality. The Hindu community, on the other hand, accepted English soon after the British established their authority in India, and thus reaped rich benefits from rapid exposure to western scientific and

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technological developments of the post-renaissance period. Unfortunately, the Muslims of Bengal lived with this costly mistake throughout the first half of the British rule, until about 1850, when a liberal Muslim thinker Sir Syed Ahmed initiated a movement of Muslim reawakening that came to be known as the Aligarh Movement. He established the Aligarh Muslim University where Muslim students from all over India came to study arts and science. This slowly propelled the Muslims towards learning English, and helped to break the damaging shield of isolation. But by then much damage had already been done, and the resulting cultural isolation drew the Muslims far away from the mainstream of scientific and technological developments of the time. The gloomy picture of S&T and R&D in the country today may have some of those sad historical reasons behind its genesis. But now the issue deserves serious and dispassionate thinking. A pragmatic S&T policy together with a sound S&T workplan and a mechanism to implement the plan, should be adopted and pursued with full vigour in the context of both the changing world economic order and the unique socio-economic contexts of the country, and the contexts of emerging realities that the country will confront within the next few decades. At the time of independence, the two wings of Pakistan, East Pakistan and West Pakistan, were perhaps fairly balanced in terms of their respective intellectual wealth. Pakistan had two universities. The University of the Punjab in West Pakistan, which was established in 1882, and the University of Dhaka established a few decades later in 1921. The University of Dhaka, modelled after the University of Oxford and often referred to as the Oxford

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of the East, produced celebrated personalities in science and literature and came to be regarded as the pivot of Muslim culture in this part of the subcontinent. No doubt, as a nation we have experienced exploitation and subjugation during much of our tormented past. The painful stings of subjugation stuck deep into the arena of science and technology, and consequently these made significant negative impact on the economic arena of the country. These effects were invasive enough to profoundly debilitate the future course of development. We had to witness with agony the changing shadows of two political masters in a relatively short span of time. The long two hundred years of British rule ended in 1947, but for us the transition was not pleasant. The British rule was replaced by an equally exploitative Pakistan rule. This fortunately lasted for only 25 years, but sadly its demise exacted a heavy toll on life and property, and more importantly, the retreating Pakistan army took to the brutal path of systematically destroying the countrys intellectual backbone by indiscriminate killing of top intellectuals of the nation. Pakistan had undertaken its scientific planning on the basis of certain premises that were perhaps relevant at that time. Creation of Pakistan as one state with its two wings separated by a vast stretch of Indian territory, was seen at its very inception as a sign of doom for the new nation. Even the most profound visionaries could not believe that the links of religion that catered to the carving of this new split-type political entity, were not enough to hold the two peoples together. The only reasonable path was the path of strict adherence to democracy, and cultivation of mutual respect between the people of the two

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wings. Unfortunately, democracy in Pakistan became the first casualty of two evil forces the connivance of Pakistan army with a brand of short-sighted politicians who were determined only to dominate over the eastern wing of the country, and the callous negligence of the people of West Pakistan in offering resistance to this plan. This sad state of affairs luckily ended in less than twenty-five years, somewhat sooner than expected, but the legacy lingered. Our scientific planning, particularly that pertaining to East Pakistan, had drawn its driving force from sources that were external to us. In the process, unfortunately, we lost sight of certain factors that are uniquely relevant to our conditions. At the time of creation of Pakistan, the western wing, that is West Pakistan, had a relatively large land area compared to its population. Thus land to man ratio in West Pakistan was much higher compared to East Pakistan, and it will remain so for quite sometime in the future. Even when population of Pakistan increases several folds, there will still be high per capita land. In addition, Pakistan has a good reserve of different types of industrial raw materials, energy source, a sizeable forest cover and a long coastline along the Arabian Sea all of these together would provide strong support to the development of a viable industrial infrastructure. Conditions in East Pakistan, in contrast, were quite different. When the first scientific planning was undertaken by Pakistan in the 1950s, the planners failed to correctly perceive even the AD 2000 scenario of the country: the scenario of having to accommodate 140 million people in 148,000 square kilometre area, a burgeoning population of urban slum, steadily receding

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arable land, increasing number of landless people, no substantial mineral resources, a meagre forest cover, and many other constraints. These are serious matters, that would make one wonder whether we will have enough life support ingredients in our land, air and water at the time when our population would be twice as much in just fifty years. Agricultural research strategy that was designed by Pakistan was meant to be wholly exploitative. It was targeted to our jute, tea, and newsprint. Rice research was, however, better streamlined in this part of the country because rice research activity in this part of the sub-continent historically dates back from the British time, since 1908, when an agricultural research centre was established at what is now the Farmgate area of Dhaka city, for conducting research on breeding of rice. Industrial research policy of Pakistan was based on a number of mistaken notions. The policy rested on the assumption that because agriculture is the main pre-occupation of the people of East Pakistan, it would be possible to draw upon the products of its fertile agricultural land for economic gains. The trends of population growth were ignored, either purposely or due to negligence. Increased population and the stress that this would put on the small land area of the country were important issues left unattended. The fact that agricultural land will deplete rapidly, much faster than most people realized at that time, due to human activities such as building houses, roads, schools, hospitals, markets, etc., was almost outside the agenda of the planning process. The energy policy was targeted, but difficult to implement in East Pakistan. Nuclear energy was considered as a viable

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energy option for this part of the country, but without taking into account the fact that there will be no place in the country to set up a nuclear reactor without putting several million people living in surrounding areas at high risk. The option did not properly weigh the problems of radioactive waste disposal, and storage of spent nuclear fuel. It overlooked the political reality that nuclear technology will not be readily given to us by the owners of the technology in fear of creating another nuclear power in the region. For West Pakistan, however, nuclear option was a necessity, and conditions for this were better suited, which West Pakistan readily exploited to advantage and finally turned itself into a nuclear power. For us the nuclear energy option remained as a hung agenda soon after it was developed, and it has continued to be so to date that has certainly levied on us a measure of intellectual and emotional cost. NEW BEGINNING

Institutions
The period 1971 - 1975 being the very first years of the new nation stricken with a war ravaged economy, severe shortage of food and a shattered infrastructure, we were not in a position to pay much attention to science and technology. Despite this, about half a dozen R&D institutions, which were obviously conceived, and their final plans approved during the Pakistan time, came into existence during this period. This was followed by the establishment of about ten more institutions during the period 1976 1980, and eleven more during 1981 1990. These brought the total number of R&D institutions in the country to 55. The years following 1990 saw a period of relative lull in the

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institution-building process; no new institutions were created during the period 1991-1998. The calm in institution building zeal coincided with the winds of economic change blowing across the globe. Bangladesh adopted the free market economy driven by the philosophy that enhancing the nations wealth is the major economic target that is measured by rise in GDP. This is rapidly attained through investments made by the wealthy and technologically advanced nations of the world in the free markets of the developing countries. matter of The strategy, however, comes with an unpleasant routine, delinked from nations science and attachment to science and technology. Growth in GDP is as a technological activities. This is done on the plea that science is slow and costly; the free market is dynamic and cannot afford to tread along any slow moving component. The advocates of the market are not willing to compromise with the speed of economic growth by linking it to slower sectors such as S&T. The near complete cessation of building new R&D institutions during the 1990s is perhaps a reflection of this transition. The new nation of Bangladesh inherited these laboratories together with a number of scientific institutes operating under the six Research Councils. Together these constituted the R&D network of the new nation. The councils inherited from Pakistan were renamed as: Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC), Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission (BAEC), Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (BCSIR), Council for Works and Housing (CWH), Irrigation, Drainage and Flood Control Research Council (IDFCRC) and Bangladesh Medical Research Council (BMRC). Under these councils, which

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were administered by different Ministries, there were about 19 research institutions in the country, which included two prePakistan period institutes, the Tobacco Research Institute established in 1908, and the Agricultural Research Institute established in 1938. Important among the institutes that were created during Pakistan are: Atomic Energy Centre established in 1965, Forest Research Institute (1955), the BCSIR Dhaka laboratory (1955), Bangladesh Tea Research Institute (1957), Institute of Public Health, Sericulture Research and Training Institute (1962), Institute of Post-graduate Medicine and Research (1965), BCSIR Chittagong Laboratory (1965), BCSIR Rajshahi Laboratory (1967), and Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (1971).

S&T Expenditure
In contrast with the establishment of many R&D institutions during the 1980s in important sectors such as agriculture and health, actual S&T expenditure showed only a modest rise during this period. Routine S&T expenditure includes two main components: the operating cost of the R&D institutions, and scientific manpower development, which includes the teaching of science in the universities. In addition, there is the development expenditure in the sector. The S&T expenditure of the nation therefore entails a very large sum of money. Defined in this manner, R&D activity, which involves scientific research, both in the laboratory and in the field bearing direct and immediate relevance to the nations socio-economic development, would constitute only a small part of total S&T activity. For example, during the 1994-95 financial year, according to a survey carried out by Bangladesh National Scientific and Technical

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Documentation Centre (BANSDOC), the R&D expenditure was about 6% of total S&T expenditure. The new S&T institutions that were built after the birth of Bangladesh were poorly conceived with respect to purpose and mode of operation, and were created ad hoc without serious feasibility study. Most of those institutions had laudable objectives in their foundation books, but lacked a sound shortterm and long-term action plan, and a strategic vision for the future. Many research programmes undertaken by these institutions were in fact duplications of already existing programs and the scientific community at the helm of these institutions were refractile to any changes. This resulted in the creation of institutions that were obviously tailored to group or even individual interests, and carried little scientific merit. By an unfortunate default, the older institutions that had been created during the Pakistan time rapidly contracted the bad winds scientific decline and entered into the phase of a decimating debility. The unpleasant necessity to keep alive the R&D institutions in existence, with little productive work done, gradually pushed these institutions into a state of chronic incapacity a vicious cycle of non-productivity and economic drainage began to erode the fabric of nations S&T base. The maladies that consequently muddled the S&T horizon of the country are too many and too diverse. Expenditures under different heads of budget during the period covering the decade of 1985-95 as compiled by BANSDOC are presented in the following Table mainly to show how

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featureless has been our S&T spending over the past decade. The figures have been compiled from reports prepared by BANSDOC on the basis of information obtained from different R&D institutions, including the countrys state run general and technical universities, in a specified format. Although the universities do not carry out any significant R&D work, many university departments that had responded to the survey had shown as R&D expenditure what appears to be their regular operating budget. Reports from many of the responding institutions were incomplete, and in many cases difficult to comprehend. Despite these inadequacies, it is possible to discern a pattern that would give a common sense picture of the countrys R&D scenario in terms of cost. The figures would roughly indicate the major trends in R&D expenditure over the decade that represents an important transition. One sees in the prototype data presented above, a tendency towards a steady increase in both revenue and development expenditure in the R&D institutions over the decade 1986 1996. The proportion of expenditure in the two budget heads is approximately 60:40. This proportion is apparently

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Figures in lakh Taka

Year

Rev. Exp.

Dev. Exp.

R&D Exp.

R&D as % Dev. Exp.

R&D as % GNP

1986-87

9928

3929

1987-88

13996

8915

1988-89

15522

9560

9560

30.0

1989-90

17230

13556

1990-91

720700

528990

7819

1.47

0.09

1991-92

799820

602400

7533

1.25

0.08

1992-93

864300

654040

3535

0.54

0.23

1993-94

921240

898300

4722

0.52

0.26

1995-95

995430

1030300

1759

0.17

0.08

1995-96

114544

956300

1997

0.20

0.18

Survey of Research and Development (R&D) Activities in Bangladesh. BANSDOC 1997.

dynamic R&D program. However, R&D expenditure as a fraction of the nations development expenditure declined during the suggestive of a period from 1.47% in 1990-91 to a meagre 0.20% during 1995-96, coinciding with a cessation of new institutionbuilding during the period, which as a consequence allowed more

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investments could be made on expansion of research facilities in the existing institutions, their staff development, and enhanced salaries and allowances. Although accurate figures of R&D expenditure during the 1980s are not available, those available for the year 1988-89 show a remarkable difference from the corresponding figures covering the following five years, that is, 1990-1995. In the year 1988-89, one sees that 30% of development expenditure in the R&D institutions was spent on R&D research. The corresponding figures over the period 1990-1995 would thus suggest a shift that is, expenditure in actual R&D research as direct research cost gradually decreased relative to development cost in the R&D sector during this period. The nature of this shift is interesting as it coincides with the countrys transit to market economy and its concomitant negative effects on indigenous S&T activities. The shift probably implies costly expansion of physical facilities and capacity enhancement projects through acquisition of new and costly equipment and service gadgets in the existing R&D institutions primarily in sectors such as agriculture and health. Thus, development expenditure climbed up, research expenditure plummeted. This is the story to date of the government-financed R&D institutions of the country. Towards the late 1990s, the nations R&D profile took a new colour with the appearance of a class of establishments, particularly in the biomedical sector, wearing titles of Institute or Foundation in different areas of medicine such as cardiac care, cancer, etc. These institutes also carry out research, operate hospitals offering treatment at cost, any profit made spent on research or in welfare programs. The institutions are operationally

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covered by the Societys Act and Trust rules, which mean they enjoy tax benefits. The operating cost of this category of institutions is not added to the R&D expenditure in the Table above, because these institutions represent a distinct type of activity sometimes called social R&D that would in effect liken them in some respects with NGOs. Prior to the 1990s, funds available to meet direct research cost accounted for a sizeable fraction of total R&D expenditure. This allowed more money for reagents, chemicals and supplies for research projects. Although the total amount of money available was not large, the fact that it was a fair portion of total R&D expenditure relative to the earlier periods naturally infused into the scientific community a measure of optimism about the future of science and technology in the country. This was reflected in scientific seminars, symposia, international conferences and publications of the work of the scientists in reasonably reputed international journals. The overall scientific climate had a positive tone, and it also received a greater measure of interest from the government. Quite often very high profile international scientific meetings would receive strong patronage of the government, and such events would involve top scientists of the country without any discriminatory tone being evident, and the meetings were participated by a number of very distinguished scientists from reputed institutions abroad. The younger generation of scientists would also find due place in such activities, which added to a vibrant spirit. Bangladesh invested during the first two decades after independence an average of a meagre 0.5% of GNP in science and technology primarily supporting the R&D institutions, the

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number of which stood at over 80 by the year 2000. This small fraction of GNP had to be cut into too numerous parcels. The most pronounced negative effect of this was seen in the science departments of the universities. The university is seen as the pivot of basic science and S&T research. With so little money for research, the universities produced very little, which created an image problem for the university. Poor science at the universities produced poor scientists poised to support the nations R&D institutions. The universities retained the best students; the next tier of students went to the few top R&D institutions, while most of the R&D institutions received the bulk that was qualitatively homogeneous and certainly not the best. Prolonged intellectual stagnation produced a sense of complacency to the effect that the sufficient reason for existence is simply to exist. This precipitated an intellectual crisis; when nothing had been found, nearly everything assumed a meaning. Almost any project proposal that had some experimental work in it could be passed for good science. This poor situation with our universities and the R&D institutions, however, served certain activities quite well, activities that the free market presented to the scientific community covered with a fancy costume of science. That is, many test tube mixing type of scientific activities relevant to consumer products, from common salt to potent life saving drugs came to be identified as scientific activities to which many scientists dedicated their efforts because of the associated financial reward. The sectors that offered the best opportunities for this type of scientific research are, as expected, the biomedical sector, and the agriculture sector. In these areas, a blend of activity was designed that involved both use of the product, and experiments with the product. Examples

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are new drugs and service gadgets in the biomedical sector and in agriculture sector, use of new pesticides, fertiliser, and genetically modified organisms (GMOs). OMISSIONS IN VISION

The Burden of Institutions

Analysis of the underlying causes behind the sad state of affairs with our science and technology has generally proved refractile to most scientists and policy makers, and of course, to the politicians. Most of our R&D institutions have failed to make any worthwhile contribution towards the development of products and services that had been commercialised with any significant share of even the domestic market. Export of our R&D generated products is a distant prospect. The reasons for this poor performance are as usual, said to be lack of funding, shortage of trained scientific personnel, poor motivation of the scientific staff, too much bureaucratic bottlenecks in securing essential chemicals, reagents and literature, and so on. Seldom, however, do one realises that these are the inherent problems of science in all poor countries of the world, but despite that some countries have produced good science under these constraints. This admittedly happened because of the inherent interest that the scientific community maintains in science; we lacked this, and so we achieved little. This is not to say that the problems that our scientists face are untenable, but only to highlight the fact that beyond these thick lines perhaps we might also look for things that might account for this condition. Great works of science have not always

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been

dependent

on

the

availability

of

the

most

ideal

circumstances. To the contrary, the history of science is replete with instances where scientific pursuits had received extreme hostility by both the state and the society, but despite these profound discoveries had also been made. Reflecting back, one cannot escape the conclusion that Bangladesh created the new S&T institutions rather hastily, and without any proper study and vision. Once created, however, these institutions could not be dismantled despite their poor productivity. The heavy burden of over 80 government supported R&D institutions slowly pushed the research activity of the country into a limbo a vicious cycle of non-productivity, and economic drainage ensued. The maladies that resulted were far too many and none with even the most profound optimism could see any cure. Today, many of our S&T institutions are in such a poor state that even the capacity to properly utilize even a modest research grant has been lost.

Looking Ahead with Objectivity

The planners during the Pakistan time, and most of them were from West Pakistan with the controlling hand in the planning process, chose a workplan that was based on a short time frame. This probably happened because of the gathering apprehension of the separation of East Pakistan. The separation, by then, was a question of whether or not it will occur, but one of how soon will it occur? So a short-term science and technology policy was orchestrated that would maximise the objectives exploitation of the resources of East Pakistan in the shortest possible time.

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An objective appraisal of our unique circumstances is critical for proper scientific planning. It is our collective responsibility to undertake this exercise in the most dispassionate manner. An appreciation of our needs and of our limitations ought to provide the driving force for the formulation of our science and technology policy. However, mistakes of the past must not be forgotten; these should rather help us to re-focus our vision in a more pragmatic manner. We have to recast the foundation of our science and technology in our own format, and see things in our own context, not through the eyes of others that view things externally, and often miss the critical contexts. The policy makers of the Pakistan time had the vision of an atomic bomb to target neighbours, nuclear energy to illuminate their villages, and the western wing of the country had enough natural resources to support a viable industrial base. West Pakistan had also large landmass to sustain productive agriculture. Unfortunately, we mistook the short-term policy decisions made by the Pakistani planners for the correct and final ones, without giving even a cursory look at the profile that the eastern wing presented with respect these issues. This critical lapse took a cruel revenge on us. Bangladesh is a country beset with manifold constraints, a country where negative superlatives can too freely be used. It is a country that represents, so to say, a unique experimentation ground for sociological studies as to the limit of population density in an urban setting, or the upper limits of population density in a country state. The whole country will slowly transit into a city-state, a mega-city state of architecture new to the world. We will poison the air, and deplete the land and water for a purpose that is most humble, yet most disastrous. We will do

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this for the very basic amenities of life that is, to grow just enough food-grains using intensive cultivation technologies available, and raising enough factories to provide jobs to our people. This we will do to feed the nearly 300 million people that the country will carry on its landscape by the middle of the century. These and other factors that emanate largely from the extremely high population density, which we will experience in the near future in a largely rural setting, present a measure of distinctiveness that cannot be found in any other country of the world. At the same time, these attributes thrust on us the imperative of a long-term planning in all sectors. This is not to say that short-term planning is not important, but to emphasise that these two are quite distinct in our context, and hence these must not be confused. An objective appreciation of the distinction between these two as they relate specifically to our situation is extremely important. Although many countries frequently miss this and still can be seen to have encountered no serious problems, for us it will be a costly mistake because of our special circumstances. We cannot afford to follow other countries in this regard because no other country in the world have the circumstances in which we live and breathe a huge population to live in a small land of largely rural make-up, for which the expression density factor has been chosen that gives us distinctiveness unique in many ways. We have not yet been able to free ourselves from the torments of the turbulent past. But our survival depends on a refocused vision of ourselves as a people, as a country and a nation, and in our ability to correctly identify our strengths and the constraints, and in our readiness to properly respond to the demands of the circumstances. Our science and technology policy

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and indeed our commitment to the nations socio-economic development must have this renewed vision as the driving force. The important imperative here is to acknowledge that we have treaded through a truncated track, albeit because of circumstances created by others. At the same time, however, we must not fail to accept the fact that in this misfortune we had our share of lapses as well. Unless we can accept this historic shortcoming with courage, a new beginning will be difficult for us to make, and our fading hopes might vanish altogether. Biological effect of a very high population density with its antecedent high-level social entropy on the economic productivity of the country is, a difficult subject, and has to-date drawn only cursory academic interest. It is in these unique circumstances that we will have to grow our cereal (food) requirement, evidently on the much-diminished quantity of arable land. How much land will there be left for any other food crop, not to speak of any other activities such a robust livestock industry, or vibrant firms of flowers, fruits and vegetables? Should we then plan diversification of our land-based activities by creating better breeds of cow that would admittedly need superior type of grass, which, like rice or wheat, needs prime land, and plenty of sunshine? Will we ever have the needed land in high enough quantity to support economic activities on the basis of popular models? The limits of vertical increase of food production under our conditions are unknown to us, and examples from other countries cannot be readily applied in our case because no country on Earth would come close to the critical conditions that may affect productivity in our country, and that we will have to endure. Even if we dedicate all our land to only food (rice and wheat) production, and simultaneously maximise productivity,

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the accelerating pace of population increase and the alarming rate of depletion of arable land would still require us to buy large quantities of foodgrain every year, probably at much higher prices than we do now. What would we have to sell to the world in order to buy the food? Some people think that political leaders who hold important position in the government and provide direction to nations planning and development have no particular reason to be scientific visionaries. This is a wrong notion. True, they need not be experts in scientific technicalities, but in a world where science is increasingly becoming a dominant factor in shaping the world order, there is a need to understand the basics of science, its course, its promises and limitations. India offers an excellent example of how scientific vision of politicians can transform a nation. The realisation on the part of the political leaders that no nation can prosper without science and technology development is crucial. However, in many countries it is lacking and, we are among the least fortunate in this regard. Our political culture is based on voice, which has the intrinsic trait that the louder it is, the more destitute it tends to be in substance. Sadly, however, loud noise creates a better impact on the people, particularly in moving the people for a rebellion, or to the ballot box. Many of our politicians understand well the power of this face of politics, but seldom do they appreciate the power that science holds for the people. And, in this context, the scientists also failed in two important ways. First, we failed to convince the politicians that science needs political support, and secondly, we perhaps unknowingly or out of neglect, offered the necessary arsenal to

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the politicians that enabled them to show their side of the coin. It took little effort on their part to show that scientific activity, which the scientists often claim to their credit, really contributed little to enhance the quality of life of the common people for whom the politician is obliged to work. Needless to say, neither side is wholly correct on these issues, but these crosscurrents held science the helpless hostage. During the Pakistan time, East Pakistan had only 0.01% of GNP spent on science and technology. Today, thirty-five years after the birth of Bangladesh, the figure has not changed significantly. Our yearly spending on science and technology still averages no better than that dismal figure, 0.01% of GNP! And, there is no indication that government is prepared to spend anywhere close to the minimum of 1% GNP for science and technology which is needed for productive development of the sector. A very large and in many ways biologically unique human population that inhabits the worlds second largest delta (next to the Amazon delta in Brazil) in highest ever density known in recorded history in a resource-scarce situation, may generate high social entropy characterised by pathological aggressiveness and breakdown of civil order. Most alarmingly, these would lead to a failing judicial system, the custodian of order and liberty. New economic changes will require new definition of value systems, and new dimensions in the image of the civil society. Environmental pollution, the extent of which is a direct function of population density, particularly in a very large population, would reach an intolerable level. Overgrowth of insects and pests would require use of high levels of insecticides and pesticides that would destroy the environment, high-density industrialization would be unavoidable, and intensive

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agricultural activity on declining arable has to be practised. The plant cover would diminish because it will be impossible to grow trees due to interference from human activity. In the course of a few years, trees will be largely restricted to roads and highways until such time when these too would make road maintenance costly due to the adverse effect of differential heating and cooling, and would turn out to be sufficiently hazardous to high-speed high-volume automobile traffic. Wealth generation in a global market would require, among other things, the important aspect of earning from external sources. What resource do we have to create wealth? Available arable land will only support subsistence, as continuing and inevitable decline in the growth rate of agricultural GDP indicates. Wealth underneath our land is still poorly prospected and quite beyond our immediate reach. With population that will be close to 400 million by the end of the century, what vision do we have for our S&T sector to ensure our existence in a tolerable state? From biological contexts, the only wealth-earning

resource that we have at present is our people. This notion is quite a favourite part of political speeches, but most often used in misunderstood contexts. No country can survive in todays fiercely competitive world without the best use of comparative advantage. How clear is our vision on our short-term and longterm advantages? Do our advantages comprise land, livestock, fisheries, farm products, forestry, and minerals? Or our advantage comprises the millions of working human hands, hands of those people who live today in painful agony, but can nevertheless be turned into productive forces? We have to turn these hands into a

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viable economic. Resources spent on this pursuit will give us far better return, and, indeed, we have no other sector in which we can claim significant advantage at the present time. But then how many of us scientists, politicians, businessmen appreciate the true significance of the vast potential of our people, a potential that resides not only in hands that are skilled in various trades, but also as a source of human genetic biodiversity? This is as yet an unconventional treasure. Genes are tradable resource today, and we have accumulated this resource through the natural course. Although burdensome at present, it can be gainfully exploited. How much do we know of our other advantages? We have an advantage of large population in activities that can be done in the non-physical cyberspace, such as the one provided by information and communication technology, but do we know the methods to maximise benefits from this sector?

Five

Our Uniqueness: The Density Factor

Bangladesh is destined to attain a unique distinction in the density of its human population. We are fast approaching a

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human population density that will perhaps represent the highest density that any land mammal ever attained in natural setting in the history of the planet. The landmass that makes Bangladesh bears a historic reputation; it has been the land of very high human population density since long past. A small stretch of land measuring approximately 80 miles east-west and 120 miles northsouth can be delineated by drawing two straight lines running north-south, one line joining Sherpur and Satkhira, and the other joining Sunamganj and Bhola. This tiny strip of land measuring about 12,000 square kilometres in area and forming the bulk of the Meghna basin, can be clearly distinguished as the most densely populated area in the in Indian subcontinent1. This remarkable fertile strip may be assumed with a fair degree of confidence to represent the most densely populated area in the whole world. The map presents data that were available about half a century back, but the relative position of the area in this respect perhaps has not changed much since most areas of the subcontinent also has attained much higher population density over the past few decades.

Burgdorfer, F. 1957. The World Atlas of Population. Heidelberg Akademie der Wissenschaften, Heidelberg, Germany.

Three rivers and their numerous tributaries, whose number will run into the thousands, criss-cross this small landmass in all conceivable directions and forming the worlds second largest delta system next to the Amazon basin in Brazil. But the contrasts between these two systems are striking. Brazil is

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8.5 million sq km in area, Bangladesh is less than 0.15 million sq km; the Amazon system drains 6 million sq km area into the North Atlantic Ocean, ours does only 0.12 million sq km area into the Bay of Bengal; population density in the Amazon basin is approximately 25 persons per sq km while is over 800 people per sq km. So huge is the quantity of muddy discharge from the Amazon basin into the Atlantic that a 200 km stretch of the Atlantic Ocean from the shore remains perpetually grey. Our system is estimated to drain only small fraction of that into the Bay of Bengal, about 10 billion tonnes annually. POPULATION DENSITY IN THE DELTA The three major rivers and numerous tributaries and canals supported in this region a vibrant agriculture and a thriving fishery. These in association with a mild climate caused tremendous over-breeding of the human population inhabiting this area area. Projected population characteristics of Bangladesh would follow simple and fairly accurately predictable demographic pattern. The population density that will be reached towards the end of the century in a country of largely rural character with scarce economic resources, presents an economic and demographic nightmare. The present population of 140 million will double in about 40 years. Not only that, it will continue to increase, although at a slower rate, until the end the present century even if replacement level fertility that is, one couple leaving behind on average no more than a pair of offspring is achieved in the near future. The figure below roughly illustrates this pattern of population growth in Bangladesh.

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This is an established demographic phenomenon in a large population of sexually reproducing organisms (requiring two partners) with high fertility and relatively low mortality, and is related to average longevity and generation time of the population. In demography this is called population momentum, which results from the fact that a couple producing two generation 1 children will continue to live for many more years after these children were each married and had produced two generation 2 children who will each marry and produce their offspring while their parents will still be alive. Thus in three generations there will be, even under replacement level fertility, an accumulation of individuals at various stages of life. This will create in a very large population a rolling-over effect resulting in population momentum. This effect cannot be easily contained. Only very high level of mortality or very drastic decline in birth rate below replacement fertility level may offset this effect. In a very large freely interbreeding population such as ours and under the prevailing conditions of low mortality and relatively high longevity (at present 60 years), this momentum effect will keep the population growth curve on the increase for about two generations after replacement fertility has been achieved. In demography fertility is measured by what is called total fertility rate (TFR), which measures the total number of live births during a womans childbearing years. This rate now is 1.4 in Europe and 2.1 in USA. In Bangladesh TFR was 5.6 in 1975, which fell to 3.5 in 2000. It is expected that the population would stabilise in the long term, when TFR matches with the replacement fertility of around 2.1. We have not yet attained the replacement fertility, and after we attain this, the population growth curve will still stay on the

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increase, although with a reduced slope, until in about 75 years population reaches the calculated 400 million mark! Would this population then defy the carrying capacity of the land? Only conjectures are possible in this regard. The carrying capacity is a concept with various connotations. One generally acceptable definition is the maximum population that can be sustained indefinitely into the future. The definition, of course, has an unconscious bias because in some cases indefinite sustenance is not always determined by maximum population; a minimum population also can critically limit indefinite sustenance. Many animal species suffer extinction if their number falls below a certain minimum. For the human population in Bangladesh, obviously, we need to worry about the maximum population aspect only and that also under the adverse context of very critically high density in a largely rural setting. The very high density in todays globalised world would bring about certain consequences as inevitable consequence. UNIQUE CONSEQUENCES

High-Density Economic Activity

This fact a very large population distributed uniformly in an unprecedented density bears profound biological and socio-economic significance. The noted economist Wahiduddin Mahmud has incisively hinted on the possible implications of such a population in the unique physical-economic contexts of Bangladesh. About this, the reader is referred to an article written by the author that appears in the book entitled Bangladesh on the Threshold of the Twenty-First Century published by the Asiatic

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Society of Bangladesh in 2002. Bangladesh has a very low per capita income, but income generated per unit landmass, per square kilometre for instance, is perhaps the highest in the world. This is the consequence of very high man-land ratio, which inevitably leads to what the author, describes as high physical density of economic activities caused by a massive participating human population, and which would thus constitute an important biological component of the physical-economic configuration of an entire country, not of urban areas of a country. Wahiduddin Mahmud1 draws attention to this unique density factor to another important aspect pertaining to the issue of our relative advantage in world context. In Bangladesh it is land, not capital, that is perhaps the scarcest factor of production. This indicates that our comparative advantage in export will shift to activities that are not only labour-intensive but also landsaving.
1. Mahmud, Wahiduddin. 2002. Bangladesh Economy: Performance, Prospects and Challenges. In: Bangladesh on the Threshold of the Twenty-First Century, Ed. A. M. Chowdhury and F. Alam, Asiatic Society of Bangladesh, pp. 598.

Fast Exit of Cropland from Tillage

Depletion of arable land, which hitherto received little attention, is now being studied with increased seriousness. Available facts vary widely in different source materials and study reports. Some estimates put the figures to be 72,000 sq km (7.2 million hectares). Population pressure now is causing an

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estimated 800 sq km arable land being lost per year. Thus, in the next 30 years loss of arable land will be 24,000 sq km, by 2150 total loss will be 40,000 sq km leaving 36,000 sq km for tillage to feed a population close to 300 million. This dismal scenario of the loss of cultivable land demands dispassionate analysis. Serious note should be taken of the fact that time in our hand to introduce stringent land use measures is rapidly being lost; after 50 years there will be very little land left to regulate. If we can maintain the area of arable land to about 50,000 sq km by immediate halt of any more of its exit and some success in land reclamation, and we may increase cereal production to twice the present level. But even after this doubling, after 50 years we may still have to import substantial quantity of foodgrain, perhaps more than a quarter of countrys total food requirement, at competitive world prices. Are we prepared to regulate land use? This is going to be difficult, and almost certainly will be strongly disfavoured by the pressure of industrialisation. In 1999-2000 Bangladesh attained self-sufficiency in food and there was no food import in that year, but two years later in 2002 - 2003 the country had to import 3 million tonnes of food grain. This was due to increased demand by the additional 2 million people that is added to the population each year. How much vertical increase in crop production can be achieved, and can this compensate for the effects of population increase and loss of cultivable land? Given the current trends in population growth and depletion of arable land it is fair to assume that by the middle of this century population will be double the present size and arable land would be reduced to half. Thus, to maintain the present per capita cereal production, it would be necessary to increase vertical productivity about four

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times, which may not be technically feasible. How should we then plan our land use strategy? The issue of land-saving is admittedly critical and is suggested from two important perspectives; saving the quantity of land for optimal use in all economic activities, and saving the quality of land from the consequences of high density use. In our situation where land is the critically limiting factor of production, land-saving must be a serious national issue, and it must receive due attention in the nations science and technology profile. The scientific community does not seem to appreciate this issue yet, which has resulted in much confusion to our collective disservice. The S&T policy of the nation must be open to both practical scientists, and the free-thinking academic scientists, but the need for differential emphasis is to be accepted. A summary of our land use picture in agriculture, forestry and plant cover produces an interesting profile that is presented in the profile that follows.

Land use profile of Bangladesh AD 2050 Scenario

Area of Bangladesh : 148,393 sq. km 14.8 million hectares Land Distribution : Arable land ~ 63% of total land area (as of 2004) that is, 7.2 million hectare = 72,000 sq km1. Forest ~ 7% of total land area1.3 million hectare = 10,300 sq Km [Some estimates give this value to be 14,000 sq Km] Wetland [Haors, Beels, Ditches, ~ 20% of total land area, 2.9 million hectare = 29,000 sq km] Housing ~ 4.4% of total land area, 0.15 million hectare = 7,500 sq km

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By 2050 when population will be 300 million, cultivable land will fall to about 3.6 million hectare = 36,000 sq km Arable land as of 2004 is depleting by 221 hectares/day, 800 sq km per year. By 2050, according to this rate of depletion, we will loose 40,000 sq km arable land leaving available, as stated above, about 36,000 sq km cultivable land. In 1999 2000 foodgrain self-sufficiency was established with production of 25 million tons of cereal for 140 million people. Foodgrain requirement in 2010 is estimated to be 28 million tons, 32 million tons in year 2020, 53 million tons in 2050. Present yield is ~ 4 tons/hectare. At the present rate of depletion of arable land (800 sq km/year), in 45 years we will loose ~ 36,000 sq km arable land, leaving us only 36,000 sq km or 3.6 million hectares available for cultivation. The 2050 scenario will be: Population 300 million Cultivable land 3.6 million h Cereal requirement 53 million tons This will require us to produce 15 t/hectare from the present 4 t/hectare, about four-time increase! Is this vertical increase possible through biotechnology and management? Annually 2 million people are added to the population. Land : Man ratio in 1951 0.80 acre 1998 0.28 acre Declining growth rate of agricultural GDP2 During the First 5-year plan 4.90% During the Fourth 5-year plan 0.86% Percentage of landless people (2004) ~ 56%

1. Karim, Zahurul. 2002. Progress of Agricultural Develioment in Bangladesh. In Vision-2021, Ed. A. M. Harun ar Rashid, Bangladesh Academy of Sciences, pp. 324. 2. Akash, M. M. 2002. Agriculture Sector: on the Threshold of the Twenty-First Century. In Bangladesh on the Threshold of the Twenty-First Century, Ed. A. M. Chowdhury and Fakrul Alam, Asiatic Society of Bangladesh, pp. 598.

High-Density Environmental Pollution

The high physical density of agricultural activity and a robust labour-intensive manufacturing sector producing mainly

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consumer goods in large volumes, will as a consequence result in very high density of environmental pollution. This will also be on a panoramic scale affecting the entire country, not just areas around factories. So high will be the pollution level due to high level discharge of pollutants in a small landmass it is feared that we may earn may in this regard as well the unique distinction of representing the worlds highest pollution level per square kilometre land area. The scientific community, the politicians and planners, must understand certain key contexts. For instance, within the next 50 years or perhaps less than that, the entire country may turn into one mega-city well connected with roads and highways, and industrial units spread all over the country, as there are no physical constraints to impede the process, and there will likely be no effective process of law to do anything in this regard. Our advantageous carbon quota, that is, amount of carbon dioxide emission that is acceptable under international treaties based on our large population, may provide incentive to foreign investors to relocate their industrial units in the country, which will provide also the tempting advantage of very cheap industrial labour. The impending panoramic prospect of pollution can perhaps be halted if the industrial units are located along the geographical slopes of the country edges along the Bay of Bengal in the south and slopes of Coxs Bazaar district for easy drainage of industrial effluents into the sea. Or, a system of underground tunnels is laid to drain the industrial effluent into the sea. Neither of these, unfortunately, is of any immediate concern to us for obvious practical contingencies.

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Dilution rate of toxic substances in the soil is determined by, among other things, total input and total surface area available to absorb the toxic residues, which admittedly, will always be against us. Furthermore, decreasing flow-rate of monsoon water due to silting and blocks created in the flow path of monsoon water due to habitation, roads and dams, etc. would augment the deposition rate of such wastes to levels that may be considerably higher than it is at present. It is very likely that with siltation of the rivers and canals would someday cause the monsoon rain up in the northern mountains to be discharged into the Bay of Bengal using the entire country as the discharge board, a panoramic flooding. An alternative scenario can also be imagined that might be of benefit to us. As a result of the rising of riverbanks due to human settlement activities, and construction of flood embankments and roads, there will be an increase in the rate of flow of water through these rivers during the monsoon, which might automatically dredge the rivers. The rivers would be narrower, and navigable throughout the year, yet there may not be extensive flooding. Routine human activities of a very large population would lead to accumulation of organic matter in soil in proportion to the population size. Surface water in lakes and closed water bodies is also enriched, which thereby supports overgrowth of aquatic vegetation and other organisms. As they die the water is further enriched with organic matter leading to more growth of aquatic biota in successive years, and the cycle repeats in an accelerating pace causing deposition of organic waste as humus, and rapid drying up of the water body. This is a common biological phenomenon, but in our case, this process is characterised by two highly active biological cycles nitrogen

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cycle and carbon cycle that cannot be easily controlled in our situation and this phenomenon now spells doom to many of our inland water bodies. The Chalan Beel dried up relatively fast over the last couple of decades compared to previous years, by this active cycle; other water bodies will face similar fate rapidly. It is the consequence of an unbalanced equation between our planning and natures wisdom. Lakes and water bodies in large cities will inevitably face such biological death despite much worry of the activists. The number of people living in close distances from a city lake and people using the lakeside everyday, create a pressure on the lake that far exceeds its biological carrying capacity, that is, its ability to hold the biota in indefinitely. Loss of carrying capacity of a lake means death of lake, and emergence of dryland. Honest intentions alone are inadequate to undo the reality that biology presents. One could, of course, cite examples of lakes in other cities of the world, but the contexts of nations wealth and wealth spent on keeping these lakes biologically fit, are seldom mentioned. To keep a city lake in good order under the present circumstances (heavy population pressure, drainage of rainwater into the lake, household discharge) the very minimum that has to be done is to change the water of the lake frequently to maintain the organic matter content of the water under proper biotic balance. Biology is quite precise; the greater the population pressure the more frequent has to be this washing of the lake. This is the least expensive route to keep the lake in its lake-like outfit, but more desirable but difficult implement under a city-centric model of economic development, would be substantial reduction of city population.

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High-Level Social Entropy

Biology of an extremely high population density with its antecedent high-level social entropy, and its possible socioeconomic impact, is an important subject that has to-date drawn only cursory academic interest with only some generalisations made on the subject1. The behavioural consequences of overcrowding, a phenomenon that will affect many developing countries in the future is fast becoming a subject of critical study by social scientists. Over the years certain generalizations have been made, mainly based on studies with animals. For example, it is seen that increased crowding in experimental animals inevitably produces pathological symptoms and deviant behavioural patterns as suggested by experimental psychologist John Calhoun in a seminal paper published in 1962. Calhouns experiment involved raising an expanding rat population in a crammed room where he observed that soon the rats set to killing one another, to assaulting, and even cannibalising. Crowding, no matter how it is caused, does not result in this behavioural aberration in many animals. How much this phenomenon is applicable to human population is a matter of debate. Some studies show that population density and per capita homicide are not correlated, nor is homicide correlated with per capita income or higher relative size of city population. These studies lead some

1. de Waal, F. B. M., F. Aureli and P. G. Judge. Coping with Crowding. Scientific American. May 2000, p. 54-59.

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experts to believe that the human species has an innate capacity to adjust to crowding without expressing overt aggressive behaviour. But other views also prevail. Some prefer to believe that facts of biology are perhaps much more complex than such statistics obtained from studies in restricted settings may reveal. Many social scientists and biologists believe that increased density of human population is likely to create an increased level of social entropy particularly in a situation where resource scarcity is the survival-limiting factor, and also where resource symbolises power5. Over the past decades, we have witnessed many instances of perverse crimes too gross to describe in words, we have seen with agony and helplessness the collapse of two of the most important institutions of a civilised society, such as the judiciary and education, particularly higher education. These rapidly influenced other important areas rule of law, governance, politics, and corrupt behaviour and demise of values. Whether or not these aberrations reflect just a higher order manifestation of aggressive behaviour in the making, the potential level of the resulting social entropy would be very high that may have no precedence in human history in quantitative terms at least. It may be destined to disappear with economic advancement, or it may be a protracted phenomenon with different manifestations in different times. When population would stabilize about 75 years from now, Bangladesh will be a vastly different country. How much different will it be, and in which way, is not easy to predict, but the posterity would certainly endure one fearful burden that of a huge population living in extremely high density and struggling

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to survive on scarce economic resources. Combination of these factors presents a scenario the parallel of which cannot be found at present anywhere in the world, nor perhaps in recorded human history. While one wonders how this high population density will shape this land a hundred years from now, one may also note with some satisfaction the potential positive aspects of high population density. In a rural setting as exemplified by our country, high population density makes productive mobilization of people relatively easy and the delivery of essential services less costly on a per capita basis. Economic and social benefits of this are already obvious in several sectors in Bangladesh such as family planning, primary healthcare, primary education and lately, in information and communication sector, and recurrent flooding of a delta with poor waste disposal system may naturally augment soil fertility reducing chemical fertiliser use.

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Six

Biological Realism: Context Neglected

Natures laws are logical, although the hidden wisdom is not often obvious. We know that land, its surface and underneath, and a small distance up in the air, are vital to our survival on this planet. These resources are apparently plentiful, and these are still achievable by most people of the world with no serious effort. Land on this planet is fixed in quantity, so also the quantity of living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic) matter. Matter undergoes transformation, the biotic component more perceptibly than the abiotic component, but the two are in a balance so that there is no net gain or loss of energy by the planet in the ordinary time scale relevant to humankinds existence in the future. Although huge quantities of solar radiation falls on Earth daily, only a small fraction of it, about 1%, is trapped by the green plants, which is recycled into the total biota (sum total of all living organisms of the planet) of the planet. Land is the commodity on which all human activities rest. Agriculture, the oldest and the most significant discovery of humankind and all other activities that were subsequently discovered, are all based on land. Its ownership has evolved according to the notion of sovereignty that offer an operationally satisfactory platform for the present, but in the future land will become more and more limiting to humankinds survival. Today, those countries that have plenty of this commodity may have little to worry, but those who have very meagre amounts of it must

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understand certain facts of biology to make the best possible assessment of its worth and chart the most productive path for its use. For us, living on the least amount of land would vital for survival. This aspect should be understood as a core issue of what may be termed as biological realism. There are principles in biology that are important in determining the structure and function of social life of organisms. Certain important lessons of biology that are read in textbooks may appear unfashionable to some, but they are significant and would merit renewed respect in our context. STRUGGLE IN BIOLOGY Malthus, nearly a century before Darwin, applied a remarkable fact of biology to human society. It was what Darwin described as prodigality of reproduction that is, the propensity of living organisms to reproduce in numbers far more than what is necessary, or in other words, what the resources would support. This phenomenon is universal and occurs across the living world. The significance of this phenomenon, according to Darwin, is that survival is a matter of struggle where number is critically important, and this attribute would thus be conserved in organic evolution. Malthus noted that in the human species overbreeding is the rule, and number increases of individuals in geometric progression, while the cumulative energy of humankind can cause an increase in food production only in a linear progression. This, inevitably, leads to hunger, disease and death.

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Critics of Malthus point out that the theory underestimates human ingenuity, advances in medical science, and the power of scientific knowledge, which can balance the increase in number with comparable increase in food production. This optimism appears to be well founded, as progress made in science over the past centuries would justify. Yet one cannot disregard the fact that despite great progress that has been achieved by humankind over the past several millennia, the fears of Malthus did not disappear. There is still struggle for food, and there is still poverty and disease. Concomitant to human hunger, Malthus also noted there is a sad diversion of human energy towards making war, which like overbreeding, seems to have a biological component in its genesis. The capacity of the human being to increase the destructive skills is almost limitless, and perhaps is a deeply engrained biological trait. War is an overt and the most robust expression of a fundamental element in nature, the struggle for survival. War is an organized physical conflict between individuals and groups belonging to the same species. Thus, domestication of animals was not war waged by humans against animals, it was competition between two species in which humans won due to a superior brain. The large population living in poverty and in high density would entail a level of biological competition that would have many of the precepts of Darwinian competition. Today the world firmly holds the drums of war. War is a special form of competition or an outcome of a more subtle form of competition with the human species, an intra-specific competition. This instrument has, for reasons not well understood is most pronounced in two species such as the ants and humans1 among

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the millions known to biology. The Homo sapiens preferred to convert the power of superior social and group organization that is admittedly the product of a superior brain and hence vast potentials for storage, combinatorial amplification, and retrieval of information into organized conflict, which is war. War is a social phenomenon, as opposed to individual conflicts that is prevalent in other species organisms as well. Warfare in ants is interesting. Not all species of ants are engaged in war, only a few species are skilled in the art. War in the ants as it is in humans is centered on one subjectthat of food and its accumulation, which is the basic notion associated with wealth. Ants go to war on the wealth of others. In arid regions of the world, harvester ants gather during the dry months seeds of various grasses as food reserve. This reserve is the target of rival groups, the attackers, who raid the supplies, and they win they remove grains one by one to their nest. We are quite familiar to such scenes where ants move with large cargo of food in their mouth along a track, the victors with the bounty. Ant wars do not last long, about three weeks; the longest one on record by ant specialists called myrmecologists, is six and a half weeks. War in pre-historic humans is not known; their flint implements were used for hunting and digging. It is only when settled civilization developed and property became an identified matter for pursuit that war began.
1. Huxley, J. 1944. War as a Biological Phenomenon. In: Man in the Modern World. A Mentor Book, Harper & Row, Publishers, Inc., New York. pp 191-199.

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Darwins

principle

of

natural

selection

based

on

competition and struggle for survival have provided lead to important doctrines that in the past years have dominated human thoughts and social policiesthe principles of free enterprise and competition in business and economic affairs. All of these are activities within the same species or intra-specific. Intra-specific competition is not regarded as biologically useful for the species. But, there is in human nature a certain level of aggressiveness. We have in our situation nearly all the ingredients that would potentially aggravate this aggressiveness adding to the social entropy. Moulding this into milder forms is a challenge that we cannot ignore, but this would require hard thinking. Conditions for aggressiveness are created fast, those for its containment would demand hard work and firm belief that war need not be a natural constituent of human nature. Strangely, the art of war is most well developed only in two species of animals among the hundreds of thousands known. Biologists have recognised that only humans and ants are the two species that habitually engage in war! Struggle for existence that is universally present in all forms of life is not synonymous with war. In an environment of nutrient stress, for example, different bacteria will use different tricks to outwit others. Those that are slow to grow will survive longer than the fast-growing types since the fast-growing type would grow and die faster and, would provide nutrients to the slow growers. Most manifestations of struggle for existence in the biological world are generally subtle. In human society, such struggle is further modulated to very considerable extents by education, instinct and culture. A

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situation of extreme scarcity of food encountered by a group of well-educated people would be met in a manner different from that of the savages. Both of these groups will be engaged in a struggle, but the struggle will be qualitatively different. What we characterize as natural biological phenomenon is but an expression of different forms of competition between different forms of life sharing a common habitat. Admittedly, the productive potentials of humans have not been maximized and perhaps it has been done so on purpose to maintain control of one group over the others using actual war or the threat of war as weapon.

VANISHING EDGES OF LAND Gregor Mendel conducted simple experiments in plant hybridisation, but he did what his contemporaries neglected. He counted his experimental peas and kept records in books. When the numbers were carefully looked at, he immediately found a pattern that matched with the rules of more exact sciences such as of mathematics and probability. This led to the development of the science of genetics, and it also laid the foundations of quantitative biology, the springboard of modern day biological sciences. It is the quantity of molecules produced in a certain pattern, different quantities at different times, and in different places, that essentially give the enormous molecular and functional diversity in the cells internal universe. phenomenon eventually translates into the planets This vast

biodiversity. Biologists are usually refractory to quantitative

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sciences. Calculations never attracted the naturalists in earlier times, and biology thus developed as a descriptive discipline. Small bits of calculations on little things in our day to life and living may help us better understand the simple implications of Darwinian biology in our contexts.

Plantation and Forestry

Over the past few decades the tree plantation movement has been fostered with apparently good reasons. Afforestation schemes have been developed, social forestry and agro-forestry schemes have been undertaken. However, the tree plantation movement has been pursued with the notion, among other considerations that trees are necessary to remove carbon dioxide from the air, and replenish the air with oxygen. In addition, other stated purposes are production of timber, fruits and vegetables, herbal medicine, etc. These are, of course, laudable objectives, but these do also reveal a measure of miscalculation. The consequence of the miscalculation has been that most of these efforts failed to produce little of the desired results. To most people the arguments given in support of massive tree plantation seem to be valid. However, there are other aspects to the issue that the biologists would see in a different perspective. In our country the arable land remains under dense cover of rice plants nearly throughout the year, except the short winter. Overall, most of the year presents us with a lush green terrestrial plant cover on land, and aquatic plants in closed water bodies such as haors and beels. Under these conditions the natural oxygen and carbon dioxide balance in the air would be undisturbed. One cannot reasonably assume that we will be in

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short supply of oxygen or under threat of carbon dioxide poisoning. The notion of reducing carbon dioxide content of the air by growing plants in large numbers carries little scientific merit. The carbon dioxide that green plants use is converted into carbohydrates. A part of that hydrocarbon biomass is burnt as firewood that again produces carbon dioxide directly. Some part of the biomass is also converted to carbon dioxide, but a little later. In this case, the microorganisms decompose dead plants as they feed on them for their growth, and in the process, much of the carbohydrate is again turned into carbon dioxide. When a crop of microorganisms dies microorganisms die other microorganisms use their remains for their own growth. This is the remarkable carbon cycle that keeps the carbon dioxide balance on Earths biota. The main cause of carbon dioxide build-up in the Earths atmosphere lies outside the biological carbon cycle. It is caused by the burning of fossil fuel. The fossil fuel hidden harmless underneath the Earth is lifted by us and burnt in quantities that defy comprehension. This produces huge quantities of carbon dioxide, the main greenhouse gas, which causes the greatest harm to the planet. The planet gets hotter with the consequence that natural calamities strike us in greater frequency and stronger intensity. The idea that by planting trees in homesteads and along roadsides, it would be possible to mitigate the effect of massive carbon dioxide build-up in the atmosphere carries little merit. In a severe land constrained country like ours, the amount of carbon dioxide sucked up by a tree would be trivial compared to the value of the land that the tree would consume.

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But, by planting trees in a scale that we do every year, six crore saplings in the year 2005, we are admittedly doing some social service that is not insignificant. Sapling trade and their planting can be a poverty alleviation tool, and indeed it is so to a very considerable extent as most of the total cost involved in the project goes almost entirely to the very poor. But the intended plant cover increase outside the natural forest area, does not match with what the expectation. Experts have highlighted the issue of social forestry for the past several years. Every year the plantation campaign is carried out with zeal and its success highlighted in terms of number of saplings planted and peoples acceptance of the drive as a social movement the scientific meaning and implications of which is of course rarely explained. The movement, however, has a virtue. The virtue of the movement lies in the fact that the activity generates small income for people in acute poverty. They can grow saplings on borrowed land and without any investment, except the personal labour of planting and caring. The return is some money. The plantation process supported by government and NGOs allows some money to percolate into the different levels of people associated with actual planting. Other than this marginal benefit, it is difficult to imagine that we will succeed in creating through such social forestry movement, great quantities of timber, fuel wood or fruit. To grow a timber tree to maturity on a time scale lying between thirty to fifty years, on a piece of land that is under severe human pressure, the cost will inevitably outweigh potential benefit that can be accrued from the tree. It is tempting in this connection to take a look into a small bit of calculation! Theoretically, if a medium-size tree has a

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canopy of 10 m x 10 m occupying an area of 100 square metres, one can plant about 10,000 such trees in one square kilometre area. Every year for the last 25 years we have been planting crores of tree saplings (in the year 2004, the claimed number by the relevant authority was 6 crores), which means we must have planted at least 100 crore saplings over the past 25 years. In a steady-state situation, attained after 25 years and assuming only 1 in 10 saplings standing after normal felling and replacement, we ought to have now a standing population of 10 crore trees covering an area 10,000 sq km. This area would be the same as the present estimated closed forest area of the country. The actual picture is, however, different. In 1987, an aerial survey was carried out to measure the extra-forest tree cover of the country. It was found that the tree cover was only 2,700 sq km, about one-quarter of the expected area. To a biologist this would immediately suggest the existence of a strong biotic interference in the process, which in this case is human activity. With time, the magnitude of this interference would increase; in 2050, perhaps even 1 in 100 saplings planted will not reach maturity! This is a fact of Darwinian competition, an inescapable reality. In a highdensity human population, all other forms of life that require land to grow and multiply, will loose in struggle. Raising saplings and their plantation in huge numbers has been a successful social movement as claimed, but raising trees out of those saplings to create social forest has faced the expected Darwinian challenge, and it probably stands to loose. Countrys tree cover that can be assigned to social forestry activities is largely estimates of guesswork. The expected number, however, would only be achieved under certain conditions. That is, if trees

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were left undisturbed in proper balance with population, land availability, soil nutrition and biological competition. Under these conditions, one would the see large stretches of social forests in the country, but biological realism is quite different in the context of our country and hence we meet many of the failures. It is fair to assume that by the year 2050 almost all of our agricultural land will have to be dedicated to cereal production, and yet much cereal has to be imported, including everything else other food items such as fish, meat, fruits, spices, etc., items for housing, shelter, clothing, medicine, home furnishing, entertainment and clothing. In short, everything needed for survival and comfort will have to be imported. Although we have not yet made any careful calculation as to the limit of agricultural productivity of the land under the confounding pressures from population increase, decline of arable land and rise in land toxicity, it is fair to assume that agricultural productivity of the land will perhaps not reach the expected level, as trends in other countries would suggest. In the absence of valid indicator about tree plantation campaigns and social forestry programmes that have been going on for the past few decades, little is known about the gains made, such as relative reduction in the quantity of imported timber, or enhanced contribution of this activity to domestic timber requirements over the years. This is limiting biology. Human population density determines the competing capacity of other forms of life in a particular landmass. This deserves proper appreciation if serious blunders in planning are to be avoided. Why is this so? The answer to biologists is clear; it is biological competition. We plant tree saplings without regard to the competition factor

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competition between plants themselves, and between plants and human activity. We do understand the phenomenon of competition, but we do not try to measure its extent. Despite depleting forest cover and less than expected success of social forestry, we undertook costly projects such as on on rubber plantation, cotton cultivation etc., with stories of gloomy outcomes after decades of effort. Rubber plantation is a highly land-intensive undertaking so that in Bangladesh only the land, which is not used for production of food, can be given to rubber cultivation. An attempt was made during the Pakistan time, early in the 1960s, to examine whether rubber plants would grow in the hilly regions of Chittagong district. Encouraged by the initial success of the trial, a more systematic project was undertaken as a pilot programme during the 1980s with experimental plantations established in Chittagong and Sylhet districts, and in the Modhupur forest, for producing rubber as import substitute for which the Asian Development Bank came forward with substantial financial support. At this time there were already about 5100 hectares of rubber plantation in the country and the new programme created another 5048 hectares of rubber estate. The state-owned Bangladesh Forest Industries Development Corporation (BFIDC) managed these rubber plantations. The operation of the project continued for about a decade largely as a pilot project to examine the commercial feasibility of rubber production in Bangladesh. Results of this study have been evaluated and indications are that the project has failed to perform as per expectations. In the Modhupur forest area, out of a total plantation of 2.5 million saplings planted in 1987, only about 1.5 million survived as of 1999. The plants reached the tapping stage subsequently, but the entire plantation

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area by then became barren because of poor management and intensive human interference. There was little incentive for the authority to go for tapping because very little output was expected. So the project is formally closed with little to say about its success. It was estimated that from well-managed rubber plantations comprising 11,000 hectares of marginal land, about 1 ton of dry rubber per hectare (total 11,000 metric tonnes) could be produced per year in the country under optimum conditions. But the financial cost of good management of the rubber estates, price of product relative to international market price, and little prospect of increasing the acreage for rubber to the minimum sustainable level appeared to negate any bright future for rubber, and yet many of our planners dream about rubber plantation in Bangladesh! Cotton cultivation has a similar story because of similar constraints. And, when one examines many of the projects on development of plant products that the BCSIR is currently working on, one ought to analyse the issue that if successful whether the project would be so very land-intensive that its commercial viability would be in jeopardy due to land availability.

Inland Fishery
Inland fisheries offered good prospects at one time, but slowly this is also loosing. Inland fisheries are based on water bodies such as ponds, haors and beels. These are increasingly coming under what is called eutrophication the process of increased nutrient levels in a closed water body. This is particularly an important phenomenon in countries with warm

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climate and large human population living around these water bodies, which causes the release of large quantities of organic matter into the water. Build-up of high levels of organic matter, which causes aquatic vegetation to overgrow, creates as a consequence an overgrowth of zooplankton. A situation fast biotic turnover ensues as organisms die and add to further rise in organic matter in the pond making the pond suitable for even greater biotic load. High levels of humus are formed from dead vegetation and organisms that settle at the bottom of the pond and speeds up the drying process of the pond. Every year the nutrient level increases due to increased organic matter build-up and the, volume of biomass production rises as a consequence. The biomass when settles adds further to humus accumulation. Slowly the water body becomes shallow and will be eventually lost. The smaller is the water body, the faster will it be lost. Of course if it is in the meantime turned into a dumping basin for toxic industrial waste it will never be lost in this manner because nothing will grow there to set the natural process in motion. The larger water bodies such as the hoars and beels are slowly falling into the claws of the eutrophication process Fish culture in ponds is intricately linked with infectious disease hazard, and in shrimp aquaculture, vast tracts of costal land and human communities have been devastated in China and many developing countries1. This has been a well-recognised problem in many parts of the world. Because nutrient level in fishponds is very high it makes the ponds ideal for bacterial growth including pathogenic bacteria, turning ponds into recognized focal points for outbreaks of many bacterial infectious diseases in countries with a mild climate and high population density.

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We had begun inland fish culture with great enthusiasm with some early success but this is unlikely to sustain because demand of fish will increase for the growing population and water bodies would consequently disappear is faster rate. It is indeed a matter of conjecture as to how long our inland fisheries will be profitable in the present circumstances without costly and frequent pond excavation and institution of safety measures to ensure that fish ponds do not easily turn into focal point for infectious disease outbreaks.

Agro-Based Economy
We may pause to recapitulate our relative advantage. With population density rapidly approaching 1000 persons per square kilometre, it is a fair conclusion that we should be prepared to accept agriculture as only a subsistence activity, not a growing enterprise since we would have no advantage of economy of scale in production in this sector due to land scarcity.

1. Daniel Pauly et al. 2002. Towards Sustainability in World Fisheries. Nature 418, 689- 694.

The fact that 80% of the population still relies for their livelihood, directly or indirectly, on the work that do on land, is important factor to consider at the present time, but it may not be so in the future. At present, the vast majority of the adult population of the country live on agriculture. Their roots are in the vanishing land. The land where they work represents their legal existence. If one

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casually asks any farmer about what he thinks about the future of his agriculture, he will emphatically say that it is bleak and worsening day by day. This is the farmers wisdom, and it is not to be discounted. Even if we dedicate all the available land to mainly rice and wheat cultivation, it will still be inadequate for selfsufficiency in cereal production. It is imperative that we understand critically our position in this regard. We are traditionally fixed to the notion that ours is an agricultural country. It was certainly so at one time, but we failed to appreciate that it will cease to be so due to pressure of growing population. The growth rate in agricultural GDP1 during the First Five Year Plan (1973-1978) was 4.9%, during the Fourth Five Year Plan (1990-1995) it declined to 0.86%. This is so despite intensive resource mobilisation in the agriculture sector. No doubt, our agriculture sector still represents the largest producer of the
1. Akash, M. M. 2002. Agriculture Sector: on the Threshold of the Twenty-First Century. In Bangladesh on the Threshold of the Twenty-First Century, Ed. A. M. Chowdhury and Fakrul Alam, Asiatic Society of Bangladesh, pp. 598.

nations goods and services, but it is partly a function of the large population attached to the land for survival. With the agricultural land that may recede to barely 90,000 sq km by 2030, and the population rising to twice its present size to approximately 300 million, it is difficult to imagine good growth of the agriculture sector.

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To think of a robust agro-based economy in Bangladesh with its receding land to man ratio is, of course, overly optimistic. Although our planners, politicians, development experts and NGOs currently support this sector, it is done for a different reason. It is not difficult to see that livestock will be limited by grass availability and poor animal health care facilities, and will be largely restricted to short-term low gain poverty alleviation schemes targeted to the very poor since in this activity the owners labour is the only investment needed to bring a cow to a level of economic worthiness in a short time. This is a low-risk venture. The cost of keeping a cow in our country is not high, even on the meagre roadside grasses and a modest ration of straw, a cow still would give milk and produce calves that can be sold for a profit within three to four years. This low gain enterprise suits those who have no capacity to gain from any other formal activity. In the longer term, however, this gain will also disappear because cows will die faster due to severe malnutrition and vulnerability to disease, making this a risky and unworthy investment. Under the WTO agreement developing countries must reduce their trade barriers by 2004, and experts believe that one likely consequence of this shift in the low-income agriculture-dependent countries will be that since international price of cereals will increase, many countries will have to reduce their dependence on cereal import. This will require raising cereal production, which we will have to double by the year 2040 when the population will double. The question will then be where will we have the land to support livestock as a long-term viable activity? Catch 22

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Thus, with no advantage of land, shall we give our land to subsistence farming to grow rice, and meet as much of the domestic need as possible? Or, use the land to grow value added crops for export (selected fruits, vegetables, medicinal herbs, ornamental plants, flowers, etc.) and the income earned is then used to buy rice and other essential agricultural items at international price? In effect, this will mean turning the rice-fields into higher cash-value crops for external consumption, and in return, buying rice at high price for internal needs. This is an important matter deserves serious study. Future research in the plant sciences should not loose sight of this important consideration. If contract farming, farming that will be undertaken by landowners to sell produce for the specific purpose of export, can earn ten times more profit from the same acre of land than the value of rice produced in it, the issue would certainly merit serious consideration. And, farming is better than seeding the entire country with industrial units under investors interest from abroad due to our advantageous carbon quota margin and cheap labour. On a population-size basis, Bangladesh is entitled to emit far more carbon into the atmosphere than we are doing at present. But farming is better than what this carbon emission quota advantage will bring for us because the latter would cause pollution of land, air and water much faster, and with far more toxic substances than farming will do in its most intensive form. But there is a contingency here industrialization spreads fast, farming is slow. The biologists are obliged to offer the needed speed to farming to successfully compete with industrialization. But the aim would be highly specific only to attain self-sufficiency in cereal production.

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Biodiversity Preservation: a Daunting Task

Depletion of biodiversity is recognised as a global problem. Despite sincere efforts it is a matter of doubt how much our efforts on biodiversity conservation in Bangladesh will succeed. World population increase, which is projected to rise to 9 billion from the present 6 billion, and the expected increase in human activity, would threaten the biotic balance on earth, with the consequent risk of many plant and animal species facing extinction. Biological material provides the basis for many industrial raw materials and drugs. In 1992 the Biodiversity Convention was adopted at the Earth Summit held in Rio de Janeiro, which granted sovereignty on biological resources to all nations to stimulate conservation efforts. The WTO, which went further in this respect. It granted patentability of genetic material. Individual genes including human genes and its many variants are now patentable. In other words, there is enormous genetic diversity within human beings akin to the planets biodiversity. Genes are responsible for both health and disease. Knowledge of disease causing genes such as those known in cancer and genes that confer resistance to attack by, for instance, cholera can provide potential tools for treatment and prevention of many diseases. The genetic diversity thus has tremendous commercial value today because of its patentability, that is, genes are legitimate objects of trade. The larger and the more heterogeneous is a population, the greater is the chance of finding a useful variant of a gene. Our plants biodiversity is rich but its conservation is not easy, and will be costly because of the inescapable intense population pressure. Environmental organisations have been

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quite active for the past decades in assessing the loss of biodiversity, and developing effective methods of conservation. The issue of biodiversity conservation in Bangladesh has to be distinctively appreciated. It has to be appreciated first that conservation of the countrys plant resources in natural habitats would be nearly impossible here due to intense human pressure on land. Then, of course, we must ask the important question why should we conserve, and how? Three purposes of conservation are: conservation for pleasure and preservation of natural heritage, conservation for using the plant resource in established trade and, finally, conservation for scientific studies for new discoveries. Our conservation strategy has to be developed in the context of our specific purpose. We ought to find answers to questions such as if a medicinal plant, for instance, needs a million hectares of arable land to support a viable industry, can we find the land to grow the plant biomass? And, if this route to using plant biodiversity were not an option for us, then which conservation strategy would we adopt? Scientific discoveries using plant biodiversity is heavily dependent on a strong S&T base, which we lack at present, but it is certainly a worthwhile area to pursue seriously and immediately because soon we may loose this advantage due to loss of material, and strong competition from other countries. Conservation can be addressed at the social level such as awareness creation as being currently done by some NGOs, and at the scientific level, which needs skilled scientific manpower and costly equipment to do the conservation work. Prudent decisions are to be taken on the question as to whether we should do conservation here, or we join

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international efforts in the matter with due protection to the sovereignty clause on biodiversity convention. As opposed to plant biodiversity, we have the advantage of human biodiversity. Our human genetic diversity is enormous, and despite our best efforts to contain our population, it will keep increasing through the better part of the century. An appreciation of this fact, and measures to exploit this resource ought to be a critical element of our planning. Bangladesh government is considering legislation to protect our biodiversity in the light of the Biodiversity Convention treaty to which Bangladesh is a signatory. Two pieces of legislation The Biodiversity Community Knowledge Protection Act of Bangladesh and Plant Varieties Act of Bangladesh are now being considered. It is important that the legislation also covers conservation of our human genetic diversity.

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Seven

National Science and Technology Policy

Planning process in different sectors is based on specific contexts of the countrys needs and its advantages, which in an atmosphere of idealistic zeal can often be missed. In science and technology planning for instance, the process is more difficult than building roads or sinking tube wells. The nations S&T policy that exists now suffers from many inadequacies. There is often lack of clarity on the issues of science policy and scientific planning. This adversely affects proper structuring of scientific activities in many developing countries, because these words can be applied interchangeably, resulting in overlapping and faulty planning. The relationship between policy and plan is somewhat similar to that between ethics and rules. Ethics determines the general principles, and provides the basis on which rules of conduct are framed. For example, love and knowledge can be considered as ethical parameters, and rules framed on the basis of these parameters are more likely to be beneficial to humankind, less likely to be harmful. Science policy should, in fact, provide analogous directions by accurately defining the important parameters relevant to the country, and it ought to clearly suggest ways on the basis of which both the longterm and short-term scientific workplan should be developed.

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POLICY STRATEGY A policy takes into account the important socio-economic and cultural aspects of the country and provides choices for anticipatory decision-making. When several routes are available, the policy would define or even dictate, what ought to be followed in the nations science and technology development. Every country has unique socio-economic attributes, human and material resource profiles, and geographic and cultural distinctiveness. A sound science and technology policy should have two categories of statements. One category would be generalized statements that would suggest certain principles in general terms on which the policy is based. For example, assertions such as the aim of the policy is to attain science and technological competence and self-reliance in order to improve productivity and employment, to advance the frontiers of knowledge and such other intentions as one can find in most science and technology policy preambles. The policy should also contain another category of statements pertaining to the circumstances of the country, and present suitable options. The latter is critical in any situation, but more so for us since in many ways our circumstances are unique, as discussed in an earlier chapter. Certain policy statements in our country contexts should receive the highest consideration. For example, serious consideration must be given to the fact that in agricultural sector we may never acquire any advantage of economy of scale in production, so that planners understand how much investment is justified, and for how long. Then there ought to be statements on other critical issues such toxicity of land, air and water, as we will have to use large quantities of fertiliser and

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pesticide for increased productivity, and the toxic residues will be deposited in a relatively small landmass. When the issue of environmental toxicity is evaluated with two other attributes of the country small landmass and a large population the result would have disturbing implications. Toxicity level in our country is likely to be much higher per unit land area because of high levels of fertiliser and insecticide use. This would be aggravated by the fact that we do not have any advantage in rapid dilution of toxicity, which a country with relatively large land area gets. In countries with similar level of use of these insecticides and pesticides, but distributed over a much larger land area, the level of toxicity build-up on land will be admittedly slower. Thus, the S&T policy statement should address such issues, in order to bring these into intellectual focus. These issues would then be more stringently reflected in the action plan. The S&T policy of any country has to be a carefully designed document developed painstakingly by scientists, technologists, economists and development experts working together. This is an extremely important issue where lapses may render even the most sincere efforts fruitless. Policy developers must have sharp vision on the important country perspectives, and not merely be driven by flamboyant perceptions, often borrowed, which generally lead to the policy being a document of pleasant tone, but little value. The scientific action plan, as opposed to policy statement, selects the appropriate route to undertake a given task at a given time and under a given set of circumstances. It determines

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priorities and defines the modalities through which it is to be executed. The action plan draws its force from the policy; it is by itself without much intrinsic strength. An example may be illuminating. When it is asserted in the policy that vertical productivity of land must be ensured, the plan of action takes lead from this assertion and decides, for instance, that one way to do this is to use high yielding varieties of crop plants, and discourage agricultural activities that put greater demands on land without adding greater value to the products. Priority fixation is an essential component of a good science and technology action plan. Clearly, no country, particularly no developing country can hope to do several things simultaneously because of various constraints. Goals that are identified as of high priority can be achieved through several possible routes of which the one with the greatest potential for success in the context of the country should be selected. The most important thing that comes to influence the selection process is the specific-country situation in terms of natural resources, the level of socio-economic development, availability of trained manpower, cultural background of the people and certainly political stability. The S&T plan is thus a detailed description of the specific undertakings that have been identified as reflecting the subject and spirit of the S&T policy and is presented both as a short-term plan of action, usually 5 years, and a long-term one, which could span over a period of 10 to 25 years. The S&T plan thus charts the most productive path scientifically and technologically, as it must also define resource requirements and resource availability in order to ensure successful execution of the plan. The plan thus provides the operational details to the countrys overall S&T activity over a given period of time, and must be very specific to

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the areas of work and the projects of priority. In many developing countries one often finds the existence of an S&T policy that is described only in broad terms without an accompanying S&T plan, or just a policy with a hybrid make-up that serves the dual purpose of both a policy and a plan. This is reflective of an improper perception of the overall issue of science in the context of its relationship with economic development strategy. It is suggested by experts that the S&T workplan should be as detailed as the nations economic development plan, and may span over a similar length of time (5 years) prioritising the activities to be undertaken sector-wise, identifying the targets to be achieved, developing methods for evaluation, specifying major projects in some areas, and suggesting the critical implementation path. The resources necessary for the entire workplan, manpower requirement and funding, should be clearly indicated and source of funding suggested, so that uninterrupted flow of funds is ensured for the operation of the plan. In the execution of an S&T workplan, a class of institutions, the R&D institutions, are the vehicles for implementation of the workplan. The relationship between development goal, S&T policy and S&T workplan, and the activities of the R&D institutions is generally seen as follows:

Development Objective

: To increase, for instance, capacity

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of the manufacturing sector, causing reduction in importation of capital goods.

S&T Policy

: The S&T policy will provide guidelines to specifically determine the areas of science and technology that should be activated in order to reach the objective.

S&T Workplan

: Development of a workplan specifying projects, the participating institutions, mode of operation, and budget formulation.

R&D Activity

: Execution of the workplan by preindustrial research that is carried out by the R&D institutions.

In the development planning, S&T is a distinct sector in Bangladesh. It encompasses the whole spectrum of activities that relate to scientific and technological manpower development and scientific and technological research, including R&D work. Overall, therefore, the R&D activity of a country may reflect only a fraction of nations total S&T activity. It is not clear what distinction is made in our planning process between the above aspects. All of our state-run general universities offer a range of science subjects in undergraduate and postgraduate levels. These are certainly part of nations S&T activity, but these are also parts of the countrys higher education sector. The National Science and Technology Policy adopted by a cabinet decision in 1986, which is

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in force with some minor modifications to date, does not clearly define these issues. THE POLICY

Background
Bangladesh did not inherit a science policy, because at the time of independence in 1971, Pakistan also had none. With oneeighth of 1% GNP being spent by Pakistan in the S&T sector for the Eastern wing, little science could be expected. Overall, it was the efforts of some towering scientists, personalities like Professor Salam in West Pakistan that, in effect, solely presented our nations scientific image to the outside world during the preindependence time. Among the developing countries, Indias position is laudable in science and technology planning. India enjoys the advantage of a rich background of scientific culture, which greatly contributed to the accomplishments that has India made in S&T today. After independence in 1947, the then Prime Minister of India, Pundit Nehru himself took the responsibility of the nations science and technology sector. He had relied considerably on the advice of the prominent Indian physicist Meghnad Shah in developing the strategy of how to consolidate S&T in India. Among the first steps that Nehru took to strengthen Indias science and technology profile was the declaration that Indians themselves must develop Indias science and that the home must be the pulpit where Indian science has to be cultivated and nourished. A strong research programme was initiated in the universities to produce high-quality scientists with doctoral

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degree. The University Grants Commission was created to facilitate the programme. Generous financial support was extended to all deserving scientists, who showed promise in research. Laboratories were equipped with the latest scientific instruments at great cost in order to generate momentum in scientific research. The Ph.D. programme launched at all the leading universities of the country played a strong role in further stimulating a culture of research and of self-esteem. This paid a great dividend; soon the Indian scientists reached a position from where they could successfully compete with the advanced laboratories of the western countries. Indian scientists after earning Ph.D. from Indian universities maintained their scientific link with western laboratories through their post-doctoral research work. They undertook this at prestigious institutions abroad, where they were highly acclaimed because of superior background. After post-doctoral training most of them returned to India with the definite knowledge that on their return they will find matching work opportunities at home. Thus, an environment of both challenge and opportunity was created within the country, almost entirely by the vision of Nehru and through his personal efforts. Nehru saw that the future of the great country rests entirely on cultivation of science and technology, and its application to nation building. A significant step for which Nehru received high admiration was that he constituted in 1956 the Scientific Advisory Committee to the Cabinet comprising top scientists of the nation and with wide-ranging terms of reference. Subsequently, in 1958 Nehru introduced a historical resolution in the Parliament. The resolution, which was readily adopted by the Parliament, provided strong government support to the nations scientific

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aspirations. The Parliament resolved to secure for the people of the country all the benefits that can accrue from the acquisition and application of scientific knowledge. The resolution had far-reaching effects on the development of science and technology in India. In essence, it became almost a constitutional provision and all governments that came to power honoured this resolution almost as a constitutional obligation. The resolution gave the necessary stability to the S&T planning process over the decades that followed, and today India is the beneficiary of this far-sighted vision. The circumstances in Bangladesh were unfortunately quite different. Bangladesh, in the decade that followed independence, had to tackle the problems of a war-torn economy and had little time or resource to devote to science and technology. The 20 or so R&D institutions that were inherited from Pakistan, some in important sectors such as rice and jute, were already in a precarious condition during the Pakistan time, and continued to exist in this manner during the early years of Bangladesh. Towards the end of 1970s, conditions improved a little, and it was then possible for the government to pay some attention to the science and technology sector. This resulted in the formulation of the first National Science and Technology Policy in 1980. But soon afterwards, the country transited into martial law that again precipitated stagnancy in science and technology planning. In 1983, however, renewed interest in science resulted in the creation of high-powered committee, the National Committee for Science and Technology (NCST). The NCST was formed in May 1983, as per a cabinet decision, with the President and the Chief Martial Law Administrator as the Chairman of the Committee.

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The committee studied the S&T policy of 1980 and came to the conclusion that it had major deficiencies. For instance, it only outlined the broad objectives in the S&T sector, without defining the guiding principles that ought to drive the policy. Furthermore, the committee concluded, the 1980 policy failed to address one important issue that is, it did not form a part of the national development plan. The committee adjudged these deficiencies to be sufficiently serious, and felt the need of a new science and technology policy. The new NCST Committee had fifteen members, representing various ministries, and seven scientists selected by the government to represent the major scientific institutions. These seven scientists were selected by virtue of their being heads of seven important scientific institutions of the country. The institutions were: Diabetic Association of Bangladesh, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, Rajshahi University, Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission, Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, and Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council. Interestingly, the nations oldest and the premier university, the University of Dhaka, was not included among these seven institutions. Why the University of Dhaka, which was established at least half a century before these seven institutions were created, and which had in its operational perimeter the nations entire system of medical education, vital for in any developing country, had to had to face this humiliation was never explained to the nation. Similarly inexplicable was the fact that representatives of some ministries were included in the Committee that had little relevance to the activity of the Committee, such as, Secretary of Local Government Division, and Secretary of the Cabinet

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Division. Furthermore, the committee had also the distinction of having an odd ratio of administrators to scientists; it was 2:1. Formation of an executive committee of the NCST was also approved in order to carry out the functions of NCST. The number of members in the executive committee was not specified, but the executive committee was to include concerned Ministers, concerned Secretaries, and three eminent scientists to be nominated by the NCST. The executive committee was to be headed by the Deputy Chief Martial Law Administrator, and it had the power to include in the committee any number of nonscientist members. Sadly, however, the number of scientists in the executive committee was kept at an immutable figure of three. Thus, the very structure of the executive committee was faulty. An important committee, created by an important policy to steer an important sector, was itself so poorly formed that a shadow of doubt was immediately cast as to its ability to address any serious scientific issue. The NCST, however, undertook the task of preparing a national policy on science and technology, a policy that was to replace the one made in 1980, and expectedly, to be one of superior merit. The task of drafting the policy was given to the executive committee of the NCST that had three scientists in it. The executive committee of the NCST worked for three years to develop a draft of the National Science and Technology Policy. Many seminars, workshops and discussion sessions were held over these years to examine the issues involved, and to develop the framework for the policy. After years of hard work, a document entitled National Science and Technology Policy was

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produced, which the Cabinet approved in 1986, and after gazette notification, the 19-page document was made publicly available in printed form.

Core of the Policy

In the Preamble of the policy two important statements are made that science and technology is to be harnessed to reach national socio-economic goals, and that there is a lack of clear perception on the special nature of the R&D institutions and their management. The aims and objectives of the policy are to attain scientific and technological competence and self-reliance, to help increase production and employment in various sectors, to contribute to worldwide pool of knowledge, to encourage scientific co-operation between different countries and to provide guidelines for institutional rearrangements in the R&D structure of the nation, which will include education and training. The National Science and Technology Policy is organised under five major headings. A one and a half page Preamble presents the meaning of the terms science and technology, their role in the socio-economic development of a nation, and the reasons for our backwardness such as deficiency in science and technology development and of scientific knowledge. It strongly argues for high national priority to science and technology. The next heading in the policy is Aims and Strategy which provides in one page, a description of the general aims of the S&T policy such as attainment of scientific and technological competence and self-reliance, contribution to global repertoire of scientific knowledge, co-operation between nations in developing S&T and

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rearranging R&D structure of the country including education and training. Then the policy presents the important part of the document, which is described as Major elements of science and technology policy which runs across twelve pages, with its content described under twelve sub-headings. This section outlines in considerable details a large number of functions, all advisory, that the NCST is required to perform. These include, among others, R&D co-ordination, selection of R&D priorities in different sectors of the economy, institutional capability enhancement, and manpower development. The NCST also assumed a role in the improvement of the standard of science education in schools, colleges and universities, in securing career development opportunities for the scientists and technologists, in creation of mass awareness of science, development of indigenous technology, and organising a scientific documentation system for the nation. A statement recommending the enhancement of S&T spending from 0.3% of GNP at that time to 1% was included together with some suggested measures to supplement this enhanced S&T spending, such as participation of the users of science, levy on all productive (manufacturing) sectors, obtaining support from external sources, etc. Section 4 devotes a paragraph on one of the most important roles of the NCST, a role that was not given to the committee under its terms of reference when it was formed. This function was later incorporated; it was formulation of the S&T Action Plan. Section 5 of the policy is a preview of the future, visions of hope, and prosperity for the nation in the days ahead.

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The National Science and Technology Policy came into effect in 1986, but the implementation of the policy lay in hibernation until early 1990s, that is, after the country had returned to civilian rule and took its first steps to democracy. At about this time, winds of sweeping economic changes also began to be felt across the world requiring fundamental changes in the planning and management of most sectors, including S&T. Transition to market economy demanded high priority to be placed on foreign investments in profitable sectors in order to put momentum to economic growth and the nations wealth building process. There was consequently little attention given to S&T development during the early 1990s, which continued through the decade with the unfortunate consequence that we entered into the new millennium with very little progress in the S&T sector. Free market assumes as its primary function, rapid economic growth that is, rapid increase in nations wealth. The radical free market advocates are also stern growth advocates and are not willing to accept indigenous S&T development as a part of economic development, because if economic development is tied with indigenous S&T development, the former will move at a slower pace, which is unacceptable to the proponents of the free market. Admittedly, it was a difficult transition for the country with no experience of the winds of change, and little expertise to handle the crosscurrents of global trade. Economic development is the major need of the time, according to the growth advocates, and the necessary technology for this should be imported, if not available in the country. In any event, the pace of growth cannot be compromised by adherence to indigenous S&T development. These circumstances had their anticipated effects on the nations science and technology activities, which could not be pursued

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with any degree of seriousness. Thus, despite being an important document nation, the policy could not be put to test. The maiden steps of developing the science policy began at a time when the ripples of the free market were not sufficiently strong. But the final shape of the policy took place during the period when Bangladesh began actual transit into the free market, and thus had little scope to address the important issues related to S&Ts place in a free market. In the free market, economic growth is deemed to be the supreme need of the nation, which is to be achieved, if necessary, bypassing indigenous S&T development. The S&T policy, on the contrary, was based on the strategy of integrating S&T fully with the countrys socio-economic development plans and strongly emphasised promotion of indigenous S&T development. Thus it collided head on with the market forces immediately after its formulation. By far the most important function of the NCST was preparation of the S&T action plan. Certain attributes of the action plan had been suggested in the policy. That is, the action plan will be undertaken as a multi-sectorial, interactive and collaborative process with scientists, technologists, economists and development experts participating in the making of the S&T action plan. The time frame of an action plan is an important policy issue. An S&T plan requires a long time to prepare, and obviously its working span has to be several times longer than its preparation time. An action plan, certainly, cannot be a one-year plan; it has to be either a three-year plan, or perhaps a 5-year plan. The S&T policy ought to define these important parameters and suggest actual resource allocation and tenable strategy for resource mobilisation, in order to implement the action plan.

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The Misplaced Attributes

There are many elements necessary for science and technology development in a country. One is a pragmatic science and technology (S&T) policy, and a sound mechanism for its implementation. A good S&T policy should not be based on academic premises only, but should consider both the potential areas of advantages, and the factors that are special to the country. These parameters would influence the productivity of scientific efforts. As noted, a reflection of these aspects has been lacking in our scientific planning, which has significantly deterred progress in science and technology sector. Although we adopted the National Science and Technology Policy in 1986, the policy failed to align itself with the socio-economic attributes of the country. Indeed, the precision with which this alignment is accomplished, determines success. This, unfortunately, is not obvious in the policy. Critical examination of Technology Policy presents a the National Science and

rather panoramic landscape to its

readers. It touches on nearly everything thereby compromising with its focus. The functions of the NCST as outlined in the policy are rather narrow in scope. It had three important advisory functions given at the time of its formulation recommending a national science and technology policy, suggesting priorities of research areas, and co-ordination of research activity with development activity. The S&T policy has, in addition, given the committee nine more advisory functions, and the additional supervisory function over a national scientific documentation system.

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One should not fail to note that most of the issues in the policy were drawn in the context of Pakistan. This perhaps caused some omissions in the policy. For example, in Pakistan at that time there was no impending need to be concerned with land constraints. West Pakistan had plenty of land relative to its population, that is, it had a favourable per capita land quota and a low population density (50 million people in an area of 800,000 square kilometres). These are still at a reasonable level in Pakistan, due to the large area although population has increased three times. Pakistan may be pardoned for omission of these aspects in our context, but when we wrote the policy the policy, it was no more Pakistan. And, without doing serious homework we wrote the policy with careless disregard to our circumstances. The science policy conspicuously failed to address the changed circumstances as it related to agriculture, industrialisation, communication, housing and many other important sectors. A sound policy must not only provide sound working frame for the present, but it must also foresee the future and develop a policy with sufficient momentum to tread along the future years smoothly. We inherited institutions that were made to work in the context of Pakistan, and we continued to work on their strategy to build our future. That was perhaps a serious mistake. A National Committee on Science and Technology should primarily involve scientists and technologists with, of course, the participation of development experts. The example of India in this regard is illuminating. The Indian National Committee on Science

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and Technology was formed in 1971, after the issue was thoroughly discussed at a national conference in 1970. The composition of the committee was remarkable. The committee had ten members including the Minister for Science and Technology as its Chairman, and nine working scientists, as opposed to heads of institutions that characterised our National Committee on Science and Technology. The working scientists were selected from among the most talented pool of scientists in the country with considerable sectorial expertise. No heads of institutions were included in the committee, which was done to prevent institutional loyalty from playing any role in the functioning of the committee. The issue of recruiting only the working scientists in the NCST in India, and its conspicuous omission by us, merits dispassionate debate. Admittedly, India has a large reservoir of very high quality scientists in all fields. We are at a disadvantage in this regard because the impact of brain drain on our relatively small scientific workforce was more pronounced than that in India. India was able to absorb the drainage impact better. No doubt, we did have some talented working scientists in various institutions of the country, but they were unrecognised. The drive for becoming administrative scientist is strong in our culture, and anyone not aligned to this track cannot be easily traced. Scientists in the administrative ranks are by no means less talented, but the enormous burden of administration, most of which is unnecessary and wasteful, soon puts them out of the scientific work track and soon they find themselves far removed from the mainstream of science at work.

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Our National Committee on Science and Technology has 15 non-scientist members the head of Government, Ministers and Secretaries and 7 scientists all of whom were selected on the basis of their being institutional heads. Merit of this procedure obviously is questionable, as much as it is defeating for proper scientific development. The policy, one might note, had been written under a military government, with the head of the government preparing for a transition to civilian rule. Perhaps this influenced the process and led to this populist approach to a most vital activity of the nation. The NCST has no secretariat, perhaps a meagre operating budget, and it rarely had any meetings after it submitted the Science and Technology Policy in 1986. Only during the early 1990s the committee began to sit in formal meetings, albeit at long intervals, but to-date, as of the year 2006, the most important task of developing an S&T workplan has not been completed. A poorly conceived S&T policy fails to discern between mundane matters of the country and the key elements important in building the countrys future. The success of scientific planning depends on a clear realisation of these aspects and how these are likely to influence the outcome of the plan in the long run. The important issues relevant to us were not altogether unknown at the time the policy was written. It was already known then the major elements of the demographic profile of the country such as population growth, population density, decline in arable land, etc. The meaning of these in our socio-economic contexts should not have escaped attention The per capita arable land in Bangladesh is already the lowest in the world, about 865 square meter

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compared to 1,109 in Sri Lanka, 1,377 in Nepal, 1,855 in Pakistan, and 1,995 in India.

Errors In Research Thrust

The S&T policy identified 10 sectors for research and suggested indicative thrust areas of R&D research in these sectors, apparently without regard to what ought to have been a critical question. That is, maximising vertical land use, which if not emphasised as a policy statement, may be easily overlooked in subsequent planning. Areas where we have comparative advantage have not been identified in the policy, so that the rather wide range of activities indicated under the thrust areas appears to be largely academic in tone. Too many areas have been included in the list without any qualification or explanation. No doubt, many of these thrust areas are important, but more important is the issue of deciding what we can do and what we cannot, given our critical limitations. Decimating land, an increasing population, lack of raw materials for industry, population pressure on land, were the issues that ought to have been considered in pragmatic terms. But the policy conceived instead, for instance, the creation of heavy industry. One can see today that very few of the thrust areas suggested in the policy produced any tangible results. In fact, in most areas we retracted on the face of strong global competition. It was soon to be found that commodities that we produced in low volumes, and consequently at high cost, could be purchased from external sources at a far cheaper price. Throughout the policy, nowhere is there a reference to what eventually will be our primary and sustainable export. No

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country can survive in todays world without exporting goods and services. Can we export goods that require vast land to produce? Can we achieve any economy of scale on our land-based agricultural produce; indeed, can we compete in trading with our agricultural goods on any significant scale for any significant length of time? The only sustainable commodity with a lasting export market is the skill of the hands, skills for which there will be a demand in the world market. Thus, a policy statement on exportable technical skills and the strategy of their development ought to have been the most important component of the S&T policy. Human development pertains to the empowerment of people with knowledge and skill that would, in turn, fuel socioeconomic development process. Creation of wealth is an economic goal, and the ingredients that enhance the process are the resource, which for us is our technical manpower. Although the issue of human development has been mentioned in the policy, the strategic route to achieve this rapidly and profitably was not addressed. Lack of a sound S&T policy and an S&T infrastructure led to brain drain. The government had little incentive to invest in S&T because the scientists failed to give anything tangible to the country. The vicious cycle ensued bright scientists left the country, which in consequence further depressed S&T development. No one could see an end to the cycle. But a potential solution was hidden, in part, in timely discovering the unseen scientists. A few talented scientists from the fleeing caravan could have been stopped by only one thing opportunity for work here that would earn them name comparable to their

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western counterparts. These unseen scientists would stay back home perhaps due to patriotism or their dislike for western life. But we failed to realise that we do have such a crop of scientists. We have spoken of centres of excellence, which have not come forth despite good intentions because we could not foresee how such centres should be created and operated. If all want to turn excellent, only the true excellent disappears. If a single centre of excellence had been created and operated properly, and if it could deter one in ten, or even one in a hundred scientists from crossing the sea, it could still make a difference in the structure of our S&T today. One good centre of excellence with a small number of talented working scientists would have created today ten such centres, and a few hundred bright scientists.

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Eight

Scientific Publications
Science is for sharing, and the traditional vehicle for sharing is publication of scientific work in printed medium, and thereby, to place the work in public domain. Publication is highly weighted in evaluating scientists in all countries of the world. The means of evaluation are the subject of critical scientific study as to methodology and efficacy. Scientific publication is so much important now in the career of a scientist it often turns into a passion in the scientific community. Publish or perish is a popular joke in the most developed country of the world, the USA. But it is often a cruel joke, for without papers scientists inevitably perish there, as they perhaps do lesser degree, elsewhere. Indeed, scholarly publication is an integral part of the mankinds creative activity. It is the vehicle by which knowledge gained today is passed on to the posterity. Progress of science or any other discipline of human inquiry has been intimately linked with the practice of keeping records of discoveries, initially in hand-written form and later in print. Written records relieved modern science from the esoteric component that characterized science of the past. This practice greatly facilitated dissemination of scientific knowledge in a readily accessible manner. At the same time, dissemination makes public revelation of scientific discoveries possible and provides a platform for competition, which is, for the most part, healthy as it contributes to development of science as a discipline of free inquiry although too

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much emphasis on publication can also have its negative effects as well. Unrestrained zeal for rapid recognition in the scientific world is now so strongly evident among scientists that scandals are common, which too often tarnish the nobility of science. In earlier times, learned societies kept records of scientific work in the form of proceedings of the scientific deliberations. The proceedings were published and distributed to its members free of cost. The cost of publishing the proceedings was met by the societys own resources, usually from membership fees and donations received from different sources. As the level of scientific activities grew, the volume of scientific literature also increased. Today, scientific literature is indeed so vast that it subdues every other discipline of inquiry at the present time. As the volume of scientific publication grew, the cost factor was no more a trivial matter. It became impossible to adhere to the scholarly creed that let no scientific knowledge be left unknown for want of money to print it. Although most scientific societies still undertake publication on a cost recovery basis, the ripples of market economy and profit factor are slowly infiltrating into this domain. And indeed there are already examples of considerable success in scientific publication trade made by some organisations. This trend will grow further as the market forces gain in strength. PUBLICATIONS: LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL As in science, scholarly publications in other fields such as history, arts, humanities, culture, music, archaeology, anthropology, politics and similar other disciplines reflect creative potential of peoples of different culture and different heritage.

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Work in these disciplines, however, are generally of local or regional interest, as the academic appeal of such work may not ordinarily transcend the national boundaries, or even the barriers of language within the nation. As such, in these areas, scholarly journals that are published locally have traditionally played a pivotal role in fostering the peoples creative efforts. We also have a rich heritage in these fields, which is substantiated by the existence of high quality local journals since long past in arts, history, music, archaeology and the like. Scientific publications are, however, somewhat different. Science is international, a heritage of specialised knowledge for humankind. Scientific journals are also expected to carry an international in tone. It is therefore not surprising that within scientific communities in most countries, particularly the developing world, there is a noticeable zeal to characterise their scientific journals as international publications. This claim is usually established by the fact that these journals are distributed in a token scale outside the home country. They also publish a small number of papers received from other countries, and carry an international serial publication number, the ISSN (International Standard Serial Number), which can be readily obtained, as the granting organisation only requires regularity of publication of the journal for assigning a number. The ISSN, therefore, does not impart any special value to the journal as to its scientific merit, although it does add an international flavour to it, which, many organisations of the developing countries take as a token of recognition. Also, some journals have a few subscriptions from abroad and are abstracted and indexed by some abstracting organisations. Abstracting confers further credence to the journals international tone.

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As such, and quite expectedly, there are great variations in the standard of scientific journals published worldwide, both from the advanced countries and the developing countries. Among the hundreds of journals that are published regularly throughout the world, only a few are of high merit, where only the very best works of science find a place. But the number of such journals worldwide may not be more than a few dozens covering the different disciplines of science. An important issue frequently discussed in connection with the rather unrestrained zeal for publication of scientific journals, is the quality of the papers published. Some scientists believe that because science is international in scope and constitution, only the best quality scientific work produced by high profile institutions of the nation should be published in outstanding international journals. In other words, they think that national journals are not doing any good to the nation in this respect; on the contrary, they think, these may be doing a disservice. This view would support limiting the number of local journals considerably, not their complete cessation, and raising the standard of a small number of journals to much higher levels. This may be a strong view, but it cannot be dismissed, for it is through this fiercely competitive process, proponents of this view believe, the cause of science would be best served. There are different types of scientific studies. One type can comprise mainly data collection, for instance, a study of the yield of a certain variety of rice in different parts of the country, or effect of certain fertiliser application on yield, etc. The other type of study is what may be called experimental work that is based on a hypothesis and testing the validity of the hypothesis by well

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designed and

experiments, and

such

as

studies

aimed

at

crop

improvement by genetic manipulation, basic studies in physics chemistry, in biomedical sciences, research on development of new drugs and vaccines. These two categories may have qualitative differences, but both are important and of relevance to the country. Local journals are protected from competition by virtue of their isolation, which inevitably contributes to their poor standard. However, national journals can serve and they do serve, a significant purpose. Firstly, these can serve as tools for development of scientific culture in the country. Through these journals young scientists would learn how to write scientific papers; relatively senior level scientists might find these useful in acquiring the skill of critical reading of scientific work, and refining their editorial skills. Second, local scientists invariably do produce interesting papers through their research work that may not have high international relevance, but may have considerable local value. These ought to find a vehicle for at least proper record of the data, if not for the high tone scientific worth of the work. It is the responsibility of the nations scientific community to create and operate such vehicles, but the operation must follow certain guidelines to ensure at least a minimum standard without which the very purpose of scientific publication will be severely compromised.

FAST GROWTH OF SCIENTIFIC JOURNALS

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The first scientific journal that stands to our credit was the Pakistan Journal of Scientific and Industrial Research published by Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research. It was launched as an official vehicle largely for publication of scientific studies carried out in different laboratories of the council located in East Pakistan and West Pakistan, and also research reports from other institutions of the country. The standard of the journal, however, was poor as the amount of publishable scientific work produced in the country was very low at that time due to inadequate research facilities. However, there were some talented scientists both in East Pakistan and West Pakistan who succeeded in establishing modest research facilities in their respective universities. Research work that originated from these laboratories was usually of high quality that could be published in standard journals abroad and, understandably, the scientists producing the work preferred to send their papers to those journals. The national journals thus received only the poor quality papers, which the journal had to publish in order to stay in print. The Pakistan Journal of Scientific and Industrial Research continued its existence after the creation of Bangladesh under the name Bangladesh Journal of Scientific and Industrial Research but its quality declined further. After the emergence of Bangladesh, a new trend developed; the number of scientific journals began to increase rapidly. This increase possibly resulted from the realisation that since the Pakistan government deliberately neglected nationally published scientific journals, a quick remediation of the fault appeared to many scientists as a call of conscience. Therefore, as the scientific societies in different disciplines of science began to increase in number, so did the number of scientific journals. The

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action was probably well intended, but the possible adverse consequences en mass publication of science journals was not carefully examined. Scientific societies alone are not sufficient factors for good science. The pivot of science is the university where good scientific work is expected to be carried out before the vehicles for publication such as journals are of any consequence. So, the method that sought to correct a malady, in effect created a new one. Many new journals began to appear as official organs of different scientific societies in the physical and biological sciences, in medicine, agriculture, geology, geography and other disciplines. The government of Bangladesh, at this time, took the decision to support scientific journals with financial assistance. The societies were given money to cover the cost of publication of the journal. This policy of financial support was also well intended. It encouraged scientific journals to publish critically reviewed papers that would find a place of distinction in international scientific literature. But, in effect, this produced quite the opposite result. The journals spent the money, but many of the journals began to appear in poorer formats both in material quality of the journal and in the quality of articles published. While increasing the number of journals, our zeal superseded reason. Often we failed to distinguish between simple data-reporting type of scientific paper, and those reporting results of experimental work. The former category of study has an inherent archival content, and could be preserved as institutional reports and made accessible through organisations such as BANSDOC. This could avoid unnecessary reproduction of data that differ only quantitatively, and, as a result only add to

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the bulk of the paper with little scientific content. Studies reporting experimental work are admittedly different. It is important to appreciate this difference, and the journal policy should clearly define the nature of the work that it would consider for publication. Most journals failed to appreciate the importance of the issue, which led to weak editorial review of articles, and inevitable decline in quality. Thus scientists with a set of data in hand, slowly found its publication a relatively routine affair. And, the easier the publication process became, the faster was the increase in the number of journals. Since nearly anything could be published in one journal or another, the number of papers written also increased rapidly. The journals thrived, number of published papers climbed, but it was the quality of scientific work that paid the price. The large number of journals that began to be published regularly gradually diminished the freedom of the journal to be selective for the quality of the articles received. To the publisher of the journal, it is the uninterrupted publication that is more important than what it publishes. To this, one has to add another factor that became a strong force in scientific publications. In all institutions, publication of research work in scientific journals is an important criterion for promotion, so many scientists preferred to increase the number of their publications by simply splitting a particular piece of work into several articles albeit on wholly inappropriate scientific grounds, and sending those for publication in different journals. As such the journals never ran short of articles, and many scientists kept on stretching their publication list to very considerable lengths. A casual look into our scientific literature for

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the past few years will reveal how extensive has this culture of paper splitting become simply for the purpose of increasing the number of papers. A couple of hundred papers flattering to the credit of some scientists is not too uncommon, whereas scientists of high talent working in advanced laboratories outside perhaps would not have half as many. This largely tells the story of the quality of scientific publications as it gradually took a downhill slide. The large number of papers reported by some organisations at certain period of time simply reflects the emergence of an over-zealous scientist skilled in the art of producing papers. The lack of any system of institutional review of papers prior to their release for publication added further to the declining quality. In many research institutions of the advanced countries of the world, this system of institutional pre-publication review is strictly enforced. An article is reviewed within the institute by experts in the field, modified by the author as per reviewers comments and submitted to the head of the institution for final clearance, following which the paper can be sent for publication in a journal of the authors choice. This system infuses a healthy scientific competition within the peer, contributing to quality. However, in many universities, even in the Western countries, such practice is not common since the university symbolises academic freedom. Fellow colleagues have maintained this trust placed on them by the university authority through the tradition of extensive informal review of the paper by peer within the university, before sending the paper directly for publication without an intervening administrative clearance from the university.

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IN-HOUSE JOURNALS In addition to about 40 scientific journals that are enlisted with BANSDOC and are published on a regular basis by different scientific institutions and societies, there are numerous intrainstitutional in-house journals such as the university studies series that are brought out by various faculties and departments of different universities. The 40 journals listed with BANSDOC are considered the top journals of the country; these are perceived to be so mainly in terms of their regularity of publication, not by any qualitative criteria of the materials published. In our country, the practice of publishing in-house journals by different universities and scholarly organisations was instituted in the context of disseminating the knowledge in such disciplines as humanities, social sciences, history, literature, art and culture. Research work in these areas can be highly original. Our culture is our heritage, and despite the lack of strong international competition in research in these areas, work carried out by local scholars can have, often does have, high intellectual content. In these areas, thus, these institutional journals came to play an important role in disseminating, and preserving the creative scholarly work. But with scientific research, the perspectives are different because science is more international and scientific publications ought to be internationally competitive. This special perspective of scientific research, however, received little attention. The overall situation turned gloomy due to several confounding factors the most significant of which was publication for the purpose of promotion in career. In all scientific organisations it is required for the purpose promotion that the

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scientists show some evidence of scientific work having been carried out by them at the institution. In this matter, publication is a widely recognized yardstick, although not a perfect indicator of productivity. The pressing need for publication without significant scientific work gradually led to less and less stringency in the scientific review of process. Since there was neither a mechanism, nor a desire for a minimum standard for counting a paper towards credit for promotion, the consequence was disastrous. Almost anything could be published in any of the myriads of journals that came out at regular intervals in different disciplines. Thus, many in-house journals in science became simply publication vehicles for promotion. Slowly the in-house journals in science were seen to be opening the floodgate for customized journals, publishing customized papers, and papers catering tailored needs. The ease of publication had contributed positively to the increase in the number of journal numbers in the country, but did not add much to improving science. This adds substance to the fear that some scientists had entertained, and had favoured the idea that we should encourage our research publications be published in only high standard international journals. That would have limited the number of local journals, and could be helpful in enhancing their quality. Since this was not done, the damage is obvious. One can only wonder now, remedy? The BANSDOC receives about 40 journals published regularly covering the disciplines of science, engineering and medicine. In addition, there are the in-house journals of unknown number. Most journals publish two issues in a year. Only with what is the

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respect to the journals covered by the BANSDOC, a small piece of statistics might be illuminating. If one assumes that on an average 20 articles are published in one issue of a particular journal, then 1200 articles will be published in one year in these 40 journals. During the years 1994-96, the total number of research articles published in different journals received by BANSDOC is reported to be 2,843 or over 1400 articles per year, according to a BANSDOC report. To this, one has to add the contribution of the in-house journals. It is possible to make an estimate of the total number of articles published in these in-house journals published by different university departments, based on statistics such as the number universities, number of science departments in each university, and assuming that each department publishes two issues a year each issue containing an average of 10 articles. If one has the mood to do so, it may give a lofty figure on number of articles published per year in these journals! This would represent commendable quantity, but one that has been achieved through enduring the pains of fallen quality. To-date, no systematic study on the growth and quality of scholarly journals in Bangladesh has been undertaken. But the matter deserves attention, as interesting changes appear to be taking place in this area. Research journals are disciplined-based. Two major categories are recognised on the basis of character, tone and substance of material published science journals represent one category, while the other category includes journals in the humanities, social studies and liberal arts. All journals, however, carry a common denominator. They are all claimed to be of high intellectual content.

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Over the past decade, we have seen a phenomenal increase in publication of scholarly journals, which some would describe as explosive. In addition to the established journals in various disciplines, numerous new journals are seen in the market, and some of these do contain research material and critical analysis on important issues. Even without substantive research, one can say from casual observation that this explosion is perhaps real. This would of course testify to our attachment to the world of letters, and may be a reflection on our print culture since long past. One would of course wonder why has there been this explosion at this time? Now-a-days, academic publications seem to fall in a particular specialized category that is characterised by the preponderance of information compilation rather than significant innovative work. Sponsors of such publications include mainly organisations, not individuals. Many of these books and magazines are apparent products of information mix-and-match, and in many cases aided by the Internet revolution. Combinatorial mixing may vastly increase the number and diversity but creates little depth. The underlying cause of the apparent publication explosion is difficult to understand, and it perhaps deserves careful study. Creative writings and books of thought are, however, written but they readily fall prey to publisher apathy because these books rarely sell well in the market. Serious compilation works are few, but it must be admitted, there has been recently some landmark work of compilation, for example, the National Encyclopedia. Knowledge is slow to develop; it is not generally explosive in its genesis. It is like a long thread rolled into a tight

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ball. The thread can be stretched, coloured, fabricated, and given an architectural tone in many different ways. This process is not totally divorced from the element of knowledge. Indeed, in scientific revolutions this probably has occurred many times in the past. The very rapid increase in publications that we see now, however, raises the question does it represent creation of knowledge, or it is a consequence of something else? The answer is not easy to find without a systematic study, and such study is not easy either because of difficulties in definitions of certain terms relating to quality of scholarly work. One can, however, take note of certain factors such as improved publication technology, favourable cost factor, and availability of funds. Explosion is a sudden phenomenon, not a gradual one, but a culmination of a gradual process. The observed explosion in scholarly publications could be the cumulative effect of some favourable factors. One cannot miss the fact that the explosive shift is correlated in time with the countrys transition to free market. This might offer a plausible explanation. For optimum exploitation of the market and to extend its horizon, there is a need for a spectrum of activities that are best carried out by organisations outside the government, such as NGOs. It has been a highly successful strategy in many countries; in Bangladesh, the success has been widely acclaimed. Activities such as market awareness, environmental studies, access to the nations biodiversity for its assessment and conservation etc., are the working areas with easy availability foreign funds. These are activities that usually fall in a narrow zone between high tone science, and popular journalism. Funds for publications that cover these areas are easy to obtain. Proceedings of workshops,

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conferences, seminars and symposia are examples of publications that come in a strange blend of science with something quite not scientific. Scholarly publication is the product of high quality research. Efforts that create what one might call synthetic knowledge that is produced by mixing existing knowledge may lift the popular image of knowledge. The volume of publication for example, might increase considerably. But at some point the matter of quality in claimed scholarly works must be addressed. Quantity would ultimately would stand to loose, if quality is pressed to the corner. GRADING: THE RULE OF 50 Whether the explosion in publication is matched with quality of the material published, is an open question. The two issues, intellectual content and intellectual impact of scholarly work, and the method to evaluate them, have been the subjects of much discussion. Opinion varies considerably among the scholars on these issues. Most of our journals display a strange phenomenon. Despite the fact that many are published regularly, the post-publication picture in terms of their preservation and presents a dismal picture. Many journals apparently vanish soon after they come out of the press. Scientific societies distribute these journals to their members free of cost, but libraries do not receive these journals, as there is a price to pay, which involves a trivial amount of money but a very complicated procurement procedure. The cumbersome procedure and poor use of the journals discourage many libraries to stockpile these items. The quality of papers published is also of little appeal to individual

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members of the society who receive the journal as a membership bonus, and thus they are also not keen to preserve the journals at home or office. It seems that just the act of printing the journal is the end in itself. If indeed just the printing were the mission then it would be important to search for the cause of this low tone journey of a high tone academic pursuit, and suggest means to correct the malady. The nations intellectual well-being would greatly depend on how well it it finds the cure. Evaluation of the intellectual content of a piece of scholarly work is not easy an easy task. Yet, in this time of explosion of information generation, production of new knowledge, and fast dissemination of knowledge, it is essential to develop a tool for evaluation, however incomplete this might be at the beginning. The extent of citation of a scientific paper by other scientific papers in the relevant field is used by specialized organisations to determine the impact of a piece of work. The socalled Impact Factor derived in this manner may not be ideal, but useful. Remediation of the poor state of scientific publication will inevitably mean fixation of stringent criteria for reviewing papers before publication. This will immediately depress the volume of publication from its present lofty height to a significantly lower level, and will surely meet stiff resistance from different quarters. But the pain endured now may pay well in the future. What can we do to improve the standard of science journals? There are two ways that one might consider. One is the

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direct

government participation with the

actual task of

publication given to the National Council of Science and Technology (NCST). To this option, however, there will be considerable doubt in the minds of many as to its effectiveness. In some countries, government participation in this sector has worked well. In Canada, the federal government organ the National Science and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) publishes a series of journals in different disciplines of science and engineering. Similarly, another organ of the government, the Medical Research Council, has its own journals. Canada has many scientific societies that are very active in organising scientific meetings, seminars, and workshops and in these activities the societies make significant contributions to national science. Yet, in Canada, the federal government provides large amounts of money for publication of these journals. One possible reason for this support is that Canada could not compete well with publications from the USA, and without this support the journals may not survive. India also has made great progress in scientific publication. Many high quality science journals are published by the Indian National Science Academy, but there are also many journals that are published by private organisations and scientific societies. As true in all countries of the world, there is a considerable spread in the quality of scientific publications, but as long as competition is maximised it will do its work and serve the final purpose well. Government participation in scientific publication may not be without problems but certain activities need to be treated as obligation to the nation, as it seems to be the case in Canada and many countries of Europe. We may try this as

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an experiment for the growth of the nations scientific literature and overall development of science as a whole. If, in our case, government participation is considered to be a worthwhile route, then, first of all, a small list of journals should be selected representing the relatively active and potentially promising disciplines of science in the country at this time. Obviously, the list will have to be changed with time, as the spectrum of scientific activities shifts. The selection process has to be stringent and done with care so that only those scientific areas that are sufficiently active and relevant to countrys contexts are included in the list. Operational responsibility for the journals could be entrusted with the Bangladesh Academy of Sciences (BAS), the apex scientific body of the country. The BAS boasts of nesting the most talented crop of scientists but the attention, which a national science academy is expected to receive from the government, was never accorded to it over the decades that followed independence. In many countries, such academies have been the scientific repertoire of bright and dedicated scientists and provided an atmosphere where science could be cultivated freely. But this would require two things strong government patronisation and, on the part of the academy, a sharply defined purpose, and its reactivation towards the desired level of excellence. At present, unfortunately, the BAS is not a very active organisation both financially and in terms of its mandated activities. It does not have a premise of its own, no library, is housed in a borrowed office space, and carries to its credit the publication of a science journal with two issues a year. Ideally, the nations apex scientific body should have regular meetings where scholarly research work carried out in different institutions would be presented before an intellectual gathering, and later

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these presentations would be published as proceedings of the academy. Science academies in many countries in fact operate in this manner. Under the NCST participation in the publication process, there should be no more than a dozen journals in its list. An NCST journal should have an editorial board comprising people of unquestioned talent and integrity and at least ten percent of the editorial board members should be drawn from advanced countries representing scientists of international repute. In making the editorial board, no consideration other than scientific merit and editorial proficiency, should count. The editorial board will report to the NCST and will be responsible for quality of the journal using a set of criteria for impact assessment, regularity of its publication and rapid dissemination of the journal, nationally and internationally. Without a system of assessment, no scientific work can stand well. Differences of opinion may exist as to the desirability of introducing a grading system for scientific publications. Frankly, there is no question about its desirability; the question that merits debate is whether it is possible to develop an acceptable system of grading against the backdrop of a very large number of international journals that scientists from any country can use for publication of their scientific work? The issue is further confounded by the fact that, contrary to expectation, many journals that are published from relatively developed countries of the world are not of very high quality, compared to some of our own national journals. It is not too uncommon that articles rejected by local journals on the basis of scientific inadequacy find place in journals outside the country, and hence, are often

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classified as more international. There is also the other side to the issue; often many articles that we publish in our journals are either too poor to be sent abroad or are those that have been rejected by foreign journals. In the past, the issue grading scientific or scholarly publications has been debated with a blend of passion, and objectivity, but no system has yet emerged. True, it is not easy to develop a good grading system, but it is possible to develop an arbitrary system that may be of some value to us at the present time our purpose at the present time of crisis when journals are created for publication of articles of designated individuals, for the dedicated purpose of promotion, and once the intended promotion is secured, the journal disappears. One may consider a grade-point system based on acknowledged standing of a journal. The system might have the following structure. For a particular discipline, five categories of journals may be selected category A, B, C, D and E. An institution, which could be a university department, an institute, a faculty, a research organisation or its constituent disciplines, departments or units, etc., would select through the opinion of their own scientists, and perhaps experts in the field, a list of say 10 international journals of high repute that would potentially cover the bulk of the research activities of the organisation concerned. This first lot of 10 journals would be graded as group A journals. Publication of a full-length paper in a group A journal would carry let us say 5, points. A second group of 10 journals that are of somewhat lower in standing, would form group B journals, where publication would receive 4 points. Similarly, there will be group C, group D, and group E journals, with decreasing

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scientific standing. Publications in these will carry 3, 2 and 1 points, respectively. Thus, an institution, through the participation of their own scientists, can select a total of 50 journals that would accommodate the bulk of the scientific research that is carried out by the institution. Selection of this list of 50 journals would be the sole responsibility of the institute, and the institute may revise the list, add or delete journals as it deems appropriate, but it should be entirely the responsibility of the institute. At this time, our best articles in science subjects would perhaps find a place in no better than a category C journal, since the state of our scientific research cannot offer any better hope at this time. Today, even India with its much higher elevation of its basic research podium, cannot hope to publish a good research article in Nature, but India is rapidly closing the gap. The bulk of the national journals, at present perhaps all in a particular discipline, could be placed under one single category, category N, for instance, with a grading scale spread over the range of 1-2, with decimal gradations such as 1.1 - 1.9 so that a publication in a national journal will have a maximum point value of 2, and a minimum of 1. This arbitrary grading system is presented to highlight the principle only. Any journal outside these 50 may become relevant in particular the institution itself can determine its equivalence, and place it in proper category. The grading will introduce a value system, and would help to differentiate between the very good and the very bad. As usual, the average category of publications is difficult to classify in an objective manner anywhere in the world. Every institution

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engaged in scientific research should follow the grading principle, which may be somewhat different for different categories of institutions depending on the type of work done. So, the grading system need not necessarily be a unified national system to be followed by all institutions, but the principle is worthwhile to consider. The governments role in the implementation of the system need not be any more than that of an overseeing body, and one of co-ordination, to ensure reasonable uniformity between institutions. If a grading system is introduced and applied fairly it will be evident that many young scientists would surpass seniors in grade points. This must not be feared, but encouraged. The system may appear idealistic and disagreements may be strong. But the system would deserve to be examined and tested. If a research institution, a university department, or an individual scientist cannot develop a list of 50 journals in their respective fields of specialisation, it would indicate serious intellectual weakness. Publication of journals by the government will obviously raise important operational issues. That is, is the ministry willing to do the necessary work, which will entail more staff and, of course, money? Second important consideration, will this not be seen by the scientific community as an intrusion into scientific freedom? Perhaps it will be, but this is where honest exchange of views is essential. Admittedly, arguments will be put forward citing examples of some of the worlds most advanced countries such as USA, UK, Japan, Germany and others where the most outstanding journals are published by scientific societies with the lone and distinct exception of the British science journal Nature, which enjoys the unique reputation of being the worlds most

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prestigious scientific journal where the vast majority of the Nobel Prize winning papers are published, but Nature is published by a private publishing company. The notion of publish or perish that is widely prevalent in some of the advanced countries is not difficult to understand in todays nearly total freedom of the market. But it has its gloomy sides as well, such as depressing the free development of science. Today, it is no more a peripheral question, but a truly vexing one, and one that is increasingly generating international scandals. Questions are often asked in top science journals of the world such as, is science loosing out in the face of recognition, recognition for prizes and publications? The quality of scientific publication is not separated from mainstream science done on the laboratory bench. It is thus desirable that the government takes effective steps to raise the standard of both simultaneously. However, raising the level of scientific research rapidly in a developing country is admittedly a difficult task, but raising the level of scientific journals is somewhat less difficult. It is apparent that the drive for publication has nearly destroyed the very foundation of scientific research. Good scientific publications without good scientific work are wholly unrealistic. Proper appreciation of the various dimensions of science is impossible without direct involvement with scientific work. If we are unable to raise the standard of both scientific work and scientific publication simultaneously, we should address the one we can hope to redress. A rigour in scientific publication may create parallel rigour in scientific work.

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Nine

Professionalism in Science

MEANING MISUNDERSTOOD Many scientists entertain a nave notion about

professionalism in their of work, that is, in the cultivation of science. Professionalism, they think, is a mark of the trades-people that does not quite match the sparkling horizon of intellectualism. They prefer to do experiments for the simple pleasure of just doing so, with no obvious end in sight, but with a subdued dream that the knowledge acquired will be of some use to the humankind in their efforts to understand nature. But to some scientists, the idea of science devoid of professionalism is not appealing. Those scientists would argue that even a theoretical physicist would take sojourn through his imagined world, but that has to be done with a spirit of professionalism to reach the end of the imagined world in a manner that would satisfy the staunchest realist, and the most ardent idealist. When a scientist discovers black sand in the sea coast of Chittagong, the scientist must chart the working course of that discovery as precisely a business person that is, one must not only do the necessary scientific work as best as possible, but also keep in view many of the things that a good businessman would in his trade, such as cost, benefit, time, competition, and commercial value of the product. If a scientist stops at just the

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discovery of the material, and after making only crude calculations on the imagined potential of the material, the work ought to be characterised as non-professional. Just the scientific study, the ecstasy of new discovery, and the hurried and often unrealistic calculations would be counter-productive. Examples of such scientific work are many in the relatively short history of our nation. The Nobel laureate in Physics Professor Abdus Salam noted in the context of development strategy of science and technology in the third world countries .. it is very important for people in developing countries to realise science is highly professional. The days when you thought you reached the truth without being a professional experimenter or a professional theorist are gone. Today this view deserves high appreciation of the scientists today than ever before, since the opinion reflects on the transformations that have taken place in science over the past few decades, and the place that science has assumed in the changing social architecture of humankind. This view, specifically told about the third world scientists, is also important to consider. Many the third world country scientists, according to top scientific thinkers, suffer from an emotional aberration to the effect that anything not seen from the top of the ivory tower is not truly good science. Like all revolutions, social and political, humankind creates innovative ideas at all time, but their impact on society remain imperceptible until suddenly a pattern emerges linking all of these developments in some coherent manner. This is Kuhns paradigm shift in scientific revolution. All revolutions must have

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a purpose, and scientific revolution cannot be without a purpose. The renaissance was the product of such paradigm shift in human knowledge, knowledge that was created and had brewed for many years before being woven into a pattern. And, the purpose hidden in the scientific revolution is clearly manifested in the post-renaissance history of the world creation of comfort for humankind the pinnacle of which can now be seen in some countries. We have to think ourselves today not simply as biologist, but professional biologist, professional chemist, or professional physicist. A professional undertaking is clearly distinguished from the pursuits of amateurs. In the former, one takes recourse to a certain spirit, possesses a definite purpose, and follows established methods. Amateurism, on the other hand, consists of doing things out of just a liking for doing it, and is generally devoid of any of the above attributes linked with professionalism. A professional person possesses certain skills, which he also professes and let it be known publicly. A professor, for instance, has to profess the skill in public, or practice the skill in a socially recognisable manner with a certain spirit, with a defined method, and a stated purpose. Thus, a scientist trained in a professional spirit can see things that an ordinary person with just the love for science cannot see. A professional scientist should be able to see clearly the purpose of the work. In the context of ones country, such a scientist should be able to clearly appreciate the assets and needs of the nation, and guide the scientific efforts in directions that would bring prosperity. Scientific activities devoid of this professional spirit have undoubtedly caused considerable

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wastage of our wealth and energy. Professionalism in science does not conflict with freedom of inquiry, or the issues of basic research and applied research, fundamental research and technological innovations. In science, it is often seen that scientists are classified into two categories: those specialised in what is called basic research, and those skilled in application-oriented research. This classification has produced a class of scientists with idealistic and academic views as to the purpose of their work. To many of these scientists the purpose of science is to gain knowledge, knowledge for the sake of knowledge, and knowledge for the love for knowledge only. In reality, however, the scientist must be both a visionary and a professional. Not only a scientist should be the master of the science he or she pursues, the scientist must also have basic understanding of the different aspects of the science that he produces, and about the society that would enjoy the benefits of the science and also bear the associated burden. A scientist may not just sit on the secluded premises of disinterested knowledge, but he or she should also acquire knowledge the fundamentals of economics, planning, and the world of business. Scientific undertaking divorced from these considerations often meet a dead end, and sadly the scientist discovers the dead end too late when the end of the career is close. Of course, while fostering professional approach, one should admit freedom for the genius, but their work also need not be divorced from professionalism. Mendel counted the number of peas in his experiments in hybridisation, Darwin kept detailed records of his observations, Einstein found the right target for the most abstract view of the universe all of these activities do carry

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some flavour of professionalism. Thus, when it is demanded of a scientist that he should calculate how much black gold is lying along our shores, how much would be the cost to the market, and what would be the income, it should not be taken as an infringement on scientific freedom, but rather as common sense scientism, the version of science relevant to most of us. INSTITUTIONAL PROFESSIONALISM The spirit of professionalism is critically important in all R&D activities. The nature of the R&D activities inevitably demands an appreciation of the fact that the target of R&D effort is the product, and the mission is the market. In our country the operation of the various R&D institutions portrays a mixed picture, some of success, but mostly of failure. The failures relate to faulty scientific approach to the problem and method followed that is, due to overall lapses in scientific professionalism. Institutions where scientific approach with the right professionalism well defined, the achievements have been commendable. In this respect, scientific activities in various sectors can be reviewed in terms of achievements and failures.

Agriculture
The R&D activity in the agriculture sector is essentially confined to a few crops of which rice is the major one, followed by tea, jute, wheat and pulses. In the field of research on rice, the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) has done a commendable job over the past few decades. Establishment of the institute coincided with the beginning of the green revolution characterised by the use of high-yielding varieties, adequate

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chemical fertiliser and pesticide, and establishment of irrigation. Over the years, the activities of the institute have been sustained at a reasonable level of productivity. The institute has developed a number of high yielding varieties of rice through conventional methods of pure line selection and hybridisation. To date, a total of 40 varieties has been released and are being used by the farmers, and many new varieties are in various stages of development. It is widely believed that the BRRI has succeeded in creating a coveted image for itself home and abroad. The success of BRRI is due partly to the fact that our staple crop is rice, and that the institute was closely affiliated with the prestigious International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in Manila. The BRRI had its research focus sharply defined from the beginning. One cannot fail to notice the fact that BRRI followed traditional research methods of genetics, instead of modern methods of genetic engineering, in its breeding programmes. This was done because it was felt that in the latter route there would be little immediate advantage for the institute, but a lot of time will have to be spent on just developing the research facilities. The institute precisely determined its area of advantage, and research projects were developed that were sharp and mission-oriented. In only three decades, approximately from the year 1970 to 2000, BRRI has accomplished what no other agricultural sector has been able to do it helped the country to achieve self-sufficiency in food in the year 2000. Admittedly, the self-sufficiency cannot be sustained for long due to our very fast population growth (2 million people is added to country every year). But the research trends set by BRRI should be an example of professionalism in science. Future programs of BRRI are directed both towards improved varieties including the hybrid rice production technology, along with

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research on management practices such as use of fertiliser, insecticide and pesticide use, and proper irrigation techniques. The thrust of the institute would be to double the countrys cereal production, of which rice will be the major crop, but wheat will also increasingly gain in importance. This doubling, from the present 5 metric tonnes per hectare to about 10, is to be achieved by the middle of the next century when, experts predict, population of Bangladesh will also double, to about 300 million. With the quantity of arable land available at present and by using high yielding varieties and intensifying management practices, this doubling of food production may be achieved, as examples of other countries would suggest, but in our case the land toxicity, which will build up fast due to heavy input chemical fertilizer on a small land area, and poor dilution rate of the accumulated toxicity due slow rate of flow of water over the country during the rainy season. In contrast to good research work on rice, that on jute once recognised as the golden fibre has been of poor productivity. This is partly because of falling world market and partly due to poor planning. We did not foresee the competition that jute would face from the synthetics. Now that environmental concerns due to use of synthetic non-biodegradable substitutes have been growing, we could hope this to be reflected on our jute sector, but no significant effect of this is yet visible. Bangladesh Jute Research Institute (BJRI), and the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) were the two most active R&D institutes of the country in the agriculture sector for a long time. But the success of BRRI has not matched by BJRI. The BJRI has developed a number of varieties, some of which are used by the farmers, but low price of jute has steadily receded jute acreage over the years by as much

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as fifty percent, and the acreage would decline further in the future. In recent years, the institute has placed thrust on its technology wing aiming towards diversification of the use of jute. Here again, availability of sufficient land for jute cultivation in order to make jute-based industry sustainable is an important concern, which is unlikely to change in the future. The institute, despite its low productivity, still maintains a large scientific staff, which, in the absence of adequate financial support and active scientific programme, appears to have accepted the painful fate of sedentary existence. Tea has a good world market but Bangladesh being in the third position, after Sri Lanka and India faces stiff market competition. New entrants in the world tea market such as Kenya, enjoy the advantage of extensive expansion of tea acreage, and would certainly offer strong competition to us in the near future. The Bangladesh Tea Research Institute (BTRI) is a fairly old institution, which was established in 1957. The institute has been working on improved methods to raise quality and yield of tea and optimising the tea processing parameters. Recent accomplishments include development of several cloned varieties, varieties that are obtained by vegetative means not through sexual process that causes significant genetic degeneration of the variety with time. These cloned varieties are now in the market, both for domestic consumption and for export. However, the future of tea as a foreign currency earner appears to be doubtful again due to severe land constraints, which is limiting the volume of tea production in the country. Some expansion of tea plantations is being done in Chittagong and Dinajpur districts, but that will still not provide the needed acreage for us to be globally competitive. At present, yield enhancement through improved

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management practices, is one area that the tea estates are concerned with, but increasing biotic interferences in the tea estates caused by tourists and automobile traffic would certainly have adverse effects on production. Most tea traders believe that within the next two decades Bangladesh may not have sufficient surplus for export after meeting the rising domestic need. The Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI) is mandated to conduct research on crops other than rice, jute and tea. The activities of the BARI include crops such as wheat, pulses, fruits and vegetables. The institute has an extensive network of sub-centres throughout the country with staff trained in extension services, and performance trials of different crops. It is also one of the better-funded institutes in the agriculture sector. According to a BANSDOC survey, BARI has a revenue budget that is the highest among the R&D institutions in the agriculture sector. One reason for this high level of funding is that the institute is one of the biggest recipients of foreign credit in the agriculture sector on account of fertiliser, insecticide and pesticide use. At present, the primary focus of the institute is the development of high yielding varieties of a large number of crops wheat, millet, barley, pulses, vegetables, spices, tuber crops, oilseeds, fruits and cotton. The institute founded in 1976, has to its credit the development of 203 improved varieties of different crop plants. This is a laudable testimony of success, achieved in just about two decades. Despite this success, import of agricultural products that are included in BARIs own inventory is steadily increasing both through formal and non-formal routes. It would be of interest to take a more critical view of the research agenda of BARI. Improved varieties, mostly high

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yielding varieties (HYVs), of fruits, vegetables, spices, etc. are now available that could be field-tested in our setting to optimise the production parameters, and in such efforts donor funding is also easy to obtain. But, the fact that land will be the critical impediment to growing anything other than rice and wheat is an important factor to examine critically with a professional outlook. HYVs would require good quality land. If we are unable to provide that, should we not select only a small number of crops and maximise their production in the minimal parcel of land? That would call for a new land use strategy, as discussed before, and a professional approach to this important matter is a need that should not be ignored. Unfortunately, many R&D institutions suffer from poor professionalism in their research outlook. There is at present a noticeable tendency in some R&D institutions to cling to the caravan of biotechnology research, irrespective of whether it fits into their mandated activity. In our country plant tissue culture is an area that is considered by many scientists in our country as biotechnology. This technique of artificially culturing plant tissues in the laboratory allows basically two types of manipulations. One is the micro-propagation technology by which it is possible to produce healthy seedlings and other propagating units in large numbers. The other type of manipulation is introduction of foreign genes in cultured tissue to raise transgenic plants. Many laboratories are now seen to work on culturing plant tissues of a broad range of economically important plants, again with little prior feasibility study as to how much of it is being duplicated, and how much of it bears commercial potentials. At present, about a dozen R&D institutions are active in plant tissue culture research. Many different plants are routinely cultured without

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defined purpose. Several institutions, for instance, carry out work on tissue culture of jute basically for the same purpose as conventional breeding, that is, to create better varieties. These are needless duplications and have so far failed to produce anything of superior value. True, plant tissue culture and micro-propagation

technology is useful, but when technology is applied to jute, a crop that has lost international market long before, and when one considers the depletion of arable land and the rapidly diminishing jute acreage, there would be little merit in investing on genetic improvement of jute by using this technology. Again, some scientists are heard to talking about creating better timberyielding trees by applying modern methods of genetic engineering when the existing forest cover is rapidly disappearing due to human activities, and availability of sufficient land to be dedicated to timber-producing trees on a 50-year tenure, seems to be a remote possibility. Then, of course, one cannot ignore the same trends in the newly created universities of science and technology, where the discipline of biotechnology constitutes an advanced degreecourse, such as M. Sc. degree. Facilities in these universities are so rudimentary that with these facilities biotechnology even in its very basic form would be difficult to teach. For curriculum development, however, these universities include the conventional agricultural technologies such as fisheries, forestry, livestock, etc., in the biotechnology programme. It is difficult to see how the need of even conventional biotechnology, as opposed to sophisticated contemporary biotechnology that uses expensive molecular techniques, can be served through such expansion of

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institutions without resource and manpower support. Creating an institution is usually not difficult and can often be done with a little political support, keeping them running in a symbolic manner is also easy, but keeping them running as productive units is certainly a different matter.

Natural Sciences
In the natural sciences, the major R&D institutions are the Bangladesh Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (BCSIR), and Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission (BAEC). BCSIR has three laboratories, the central laboratory in Dhaka, and two regional laboratories, one in Chittagong and one in Rajshahi. BAEC has several component research arms the Atomic Energy Centre (AEC) located at Dhaka, the Atomic Energy Research Establishment (AERE) at Savar, Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture (BINA) in Mymensingh, and Institute of Nuclear Medicine at Dhaka. Research publication is considered to be an important indicator of performance. Publications from these organisations and those of a few others have been complied by BANSDOC for a period of 10, from 1986 to 1996. The Table below presents an overview, which highlights trends in the type of papers published,
and their number by different institutions. More

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Organisation 1986-89 1990-92 1992-94 1994-96

BRRI Inst. BCSIR

Rice Res.

13

na

na

Sci.

Ind.

34

102

113

248

Res. Council BJRI Jute Res. Inst. BINA Nuclear 23 4 171 -

Agri.Inst.Mym. BARI Inst. BFRI Forest 260 43 55 55 Agri. Res. 8 4 na -

Research Inst. BLRI Res. FRI Fisheries Res. Inst. Mym. AERE Atomic Na Na 18 142 Na 54 17 Livestock 28 56 15 10

Ener. Res. Est.

- = No publications reported na = Information not available Organisations include all of their associated institutes, research centres etc. Source: BANSDOC.

recent data are not available, but the picture may be similar, with the exception of biomedical sciences where the number of publications appear to have increased considerably over the past few years. Great variations are seen in the number of research publications. The institutes, which are engaged in laboratory research, or small-scale field studies, and those where scientific data are generated within a relatively short period of time, are the ones that produce large number of publications. In this regard, the

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place of Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) is not highly remarkable. But when its actual achievements in the field are weighed in terms of the release of 40 rice varieties that greatly enhanced countrys rice output to near self-sufficiency, one may not deny due credit to this institution. One factor that may partly explain the low output of research publications by BRRI is the fact that plant breeding work usually takes a long time to get sufficient quantity of reportable data to publish, about 10 years or so. During this period, however, valuable scientific information is gathered that comes from the different phases of the scientific studies. The data are usually recorded as institutional reports, not published as scientific papers. In terms of number of publications, the position of BCSIR is noteworthy, which has been consistently high and has steadily increased over the period under the BANSDOC review. This, however, is not true in the case of other institutions. For instance, BINA reported a massive number of papers published during 1992-94 and AERE during 1994-96. These two-year segments markedly contrast with publications both before and after. What factors are responsible for such spurt of research publications are not clear. Obtaining patents, by which intellectual property right is protected on inventions, can be indicators of productivity. A patentable invention is one, which is not obvious to persons of ordinary skill in the particular trade. New knowledge about things and phenomena are routine things in our day-to-day life but we do not claim those to be inventions because these are obvious to persons of ordinary skill in the art, and are of no commercial value. A patentable invention must have the intrinsic

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value of being so rare in our ordinary business of life that ordinary knowledge and skill cannot readily reveal it. Such knowledge is thus protected as intellectual property by the laws of patenting system. The essential elements of protection is based on the innate quality of the invention itself, the patenting process only reinforces that quality. Patent protection can be very costly if such protection is seriously pursued. Both the patenting process and maintenance of patents are expensive in the industrialised countries, and unless an invention has sufficient merit, no patents are sought. A rigorous internal review process determines whether the institute should seek a patent for any invention. In our country, neither a good legal framework on patenting exists, nor the spirit of patenting well understood. We have a national patent office that usually grants patents without critical review, and the cost of obtaining a patent is very low. This is not intended to say that the patents given through such a loose system are illegal, but to only indicate that such loose systems dampen the impact-making potential of the patenting process. Among our R&D organisations, the BCSIR tops the list in the number of products and processes that have been protected by patents. During the period 1994-96, a total of 218 projects were completed by BCSIR, which produced 235 research papers and 64 patents and processes of which 39 have been leased out to private companies for commercialisation. The number of patents is indeed commendable, and far outshines other R&D institutions except one. This exception represents a relatively new organisation in the health sector, the Rehabilitation Institute and Hospital for the Disabled which has, during the same period, developed 173 processes and leased out 17, which mainly

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includes gadgets made from indigenous material for use by handicapped people and accident victims. Many processes have been leased out by BCSIR to private companies in the country. No process, however, with the exception of a few related to food items such as high protein soy biscuit, low calorie biscuit for diabetics, pickles etc., can claim authentic commercialisation. Whatever is the nature of the product developed by our R&D institutions, one important consideration should be kept in view. The value of a patent lies in how much of the market share the patented product has captured. It is a part of competition within the business community, and is an integral part of the free market. As to market capture, we have no mechanism to assess this parameter for the products based on the leased out patents. The market share, in simple terms, it is the relative share of the domestic market in sale volume compared to the competing products in the market. Pickles and biscuits with some novelty in their making may be, for instance, patented, but these are also produced through traditional knowledge. Thus, if the patented product has no significant edge of the total market share over those made through traditional knowledge, then one has to assume that the product has not successfully competed, and can claim little credit. Patents obtained by BCSIR and inventions leased out to industry ought to be evaluated on the basis of this market capture criterion. If this criterion is applied it may turn out that the market share is too small to merit any patent protection, and the conclusion is unavoidable that the work had been executed with little professionalism. Nevertheless, the system of patenting of inventions by our R&D organisation will continue, and as elsewhere in the world, total number of patents will far outnumber commercially successful patents.

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Interestingly, some patents on processes have been secured by BCSIR and BJRI that are on natural products with significant commercial potentials. These merit further development, and products based on these inventions should be taken to industrial readiness by extensive R&D work carried. Unfortunately, lack of finance and expertise has prevented the work from proceeding beyond the laboratory stage. Instead, the intellectual property right to these processes or products has been leased or sold out to business enterprises in consideration for a one-time payment, not on the basis of royalties on sale of products made by using these patents. Thus, one cannot avoid the sad conclusion that many decades of work, and many patents obtained by our R&D institutions have failed to produce any mark on nations economy. The number of patents for inventions made by different R&D organisations is admittedly valid indicator of productivity. This, however, varies with the type of research that the organisation carries out. BRRI, for instance, has developed many methods for creation of novel varieties of rice, and some of those could be patented, but there are no trade incentives in this work, so no patents have been obtained. High yielding crop varieties have been traditionally a non-commercial activity, entirely carried out by government initiatives so that in this sector, protection of the knowledge as intellectual property was not attractive. The Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission (BAEC) has charted its course along more practical lines, although it still retains in its program establishment of nuclear power plant in the country to produce electricity. In this respect we are caught in the middle of two opposing forces. On one hand, electricity is rapidly

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becoming important to us in industrialisation, while at the same time the likelihood of our acquiring the nuclear technology remains as illusive. The predicament is partly due to fear that the technology required for power plant operation can also be used in making nuclear weapons. The other reason is inherent to our country context that is, small land area and extremely high population density. It is not difficult to see that we may not find a suitable location to set up a nuclear power plant. When the issue was being discussed at its formative phases, this matter was not given much attention. Setting up of a nuclear power plant anywhere in mainland Bangladesh is to be discarded in the context of high population size and relatively uniform and high population density throughout the country. Todays population of over 140 million will double in about 40 years and there will be hardly any place suitable for setting a nuclear power plant that could be cordoned off from the public without enormous and costly fortification. Then there is the issue of accidental reactor explosion. If that happens, we will very rapidly expose several million people to high-level radiation. The Chernobyl accident affected 7 million people; a similar accident may affect perhaps 30 million in Bangladesh and 10 million in adjoining regions. Thus, the size of the population at high risk of radiation exposure here due to nuclear accident will far exceed the combined population of many countries of Europe. Our offshore islands are few and are quite unsuitable for setting up nuclear power plants because of frequent cyclones and flooding, and perhaps our neighbouring countries will not feel comfortable of having such an establishment located in the water that may flood their coastline. The AERE is equipped with a 3 megawatt TRIGA Mark-II research reactor that is updated from time to time to widen its use

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and it is currently serving the intended purpose of producing limited quantities of a few clinically useful radioisotopes, 131I used for diagnosis of thyroid function and treatment of hyperthyroidism is important. The Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture (BINA) depends for the nuclear component of its program to the AERE. Since the scope of BINA was not carefully defined when it was established, the institute failed to develop in the intended directions that is, blending nuclear science with agriculture to enhance agricultural productivity. Thus, it had to make the choice of turning to conventional plant breeding programs including plant tissue culture technology, and classical agronomic research. Some of the activities are potentially useful, but by and large, its research efforts generally overlap with those of other agricultural R&D institutions, causing duplication and little productivity.

Biomedical Sciences
There are about 15 R&D institutions in the biomedical sector. This number does not include the 13 government medical colleges since the medical colleges are not active in research. Most of the R&D institutions in the biomedical sector are involved in field research that include epidemiology, disease prevalence, nutrition survey, vaccination, health awareness creation, public health, and similar other areas. A few institutions have the technical infrastructure and manpower support that would allow modest level of basic research towards the development of biomedical products and services. Among these are: Bangladesh Institute of Research on Diabetes Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases (BIRDEM), National Institute of Cancer Research and

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Hospital, Institute of Public Health, and Institute of Postgraduate Medicine and Research at Bangabandhu Shiek Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) campus. Of these, BIRDEM is relatively active R&D activities compared to the other institutions where research on improved treatment and development of diagnostic methods are carried out in addition to disease prevalence, and work on social medicine. A far better equipped biomedical institution is a research centre that was created in the early 1960 for research on cholera. The high prevalence of Asiatic cholera in Southeast Asia, and increasing US military involvement at that time in the Vietnam War, stimulated interest in basic research on treatment and prevention of cholera. This led to the establishment of SEATO Cholera Research Laboratory in Dhaka in 1960, which later became Cholera Research Laboratory after the birth of Bangladesh. In 1978, it was converted into an international centre under the name International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (ICDDR,B) by a landmark Act of the Parliament of Bangladesh, the first of its kind in the country, establishing the first ever international biomedical research organization in the world with wide mandate to carry out research on diarrhoeal diseases and associated problems of nutrition and fertility. The ICDDR,B has made significant contributions towards development of the medical marvel of the past century the oral route to correcting dehydration caused by severe diarrhoea with oral saline. Since 1963 it also carried out field trials of cholera vaccines and other anti-diarrhoeal vaccines, but no effective vaccine against diarrhoea has yet been developed. During the late 1980s the impact of globalization was also obvious in the operation of ICDDR,B and the centre made changes in its

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research agenda, and its fund raising mechanism. Research emphasis changed from basic biomedical research to applied field-oriented research. Research areas were also widened to include broader health problems of the country in addition to diarrhoeal diseases, the main mandated function of the centre. Soon the centre assumed the profile of a Centre for Health and Population Research. This shift ensured better flow of funds from external donors. Specific projects were supported by international development agencies often reflecting the interest of multinational pharmaceutical companies and these projects received priorities in the centres research agenda. Indeed, by about the mid-1990s one of the stated mission objectives of ICDDR,B included work in improving both supply of and demand for existing health technologies. The ICDDR,B is equipped with advanced facilities for basic laboratory research but these facilities are primarily used for work towards refining diagnostic and therapeutic products that are under development by external organizations. This is done through collaborative research with the participation of external development agencies, research laboratories and pharmaceutical companies. In these efforts, the centre has optimally utilized the talents of bright local scientists in foreign-funded contractresearch, but failed to stimulate innovative research that could lead to the development of novel biomedical products. If the centre had adopted this path, it could possibly add to the centres financial independence, and greater freedom to pursue its own research agenda, rather than carrying out primarily donor-driven activities. The stated reason for this apathy towards basic research being done at the centre is the notion entertained by its international board of trustees that the centre should only

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undertake research where its strength is the greatest, that is, in field-oriented work, not in expensive basic research where it cannot compete with the Western laboratories. Validity of this argument has long been debated, and is a highly controversial issue in the public mind surrounding the centre. Both our national institutions working in the area of better treatment and biomedical product development and the ICDDR,B generally undertake collaborative research with western laboratories as part of their working strategy. This is both a necessity for funding and technical support for these institutions and offers the advantage of high disease prevalence and large patient population for conducting well-controlled laboratory, clinical and field studies with new drugs, vaccines and other biomedical interventions. To date, neither ICDDR,B with its impressive facilities and external scientific linkage nor any of our national institutions has developed any significant biomedical product that they own, although they have substantively assisted foreign partners in developing products. Reason for this failure, in the case of ICDDR,B is the organisations almost total dependence on external donor agencies including the pharmaceutical companies for targeted, often contracted research, which, as a consequence severely restricts independent research in this direction under centres own research agenda. For the national institutions the reasons lack of significant progress are the countrys poor S&T base, and the consequent lack of significant basic research in contemporary areas of molecular biology in the universities. Universities are to provide the driving force for applicationoriented research in the R&D institutions by producing sound

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graduates with vision, technical skill and professional spirit to provide direction to nations R&D activities.

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Ten

Science and Industry Interface

Scientific research leads to the development of technology. Application of the technology to the countrys socioeconomic development is carried out by the necessary preindustrial termed R&D. Thus R&D institutions should have both S&T component, and development component in their operation strategy. This duality of function of R&D organisations is generally emphasized in the aims and objectives of most R&D institutions. For instance, the aims and objectives of the countrys first R&D institution, the Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (BCSIR), include: initiation, promotion and guidance of scientific and industrial research bearing on problems connected with the establishment and development of industries or with any other matter referred to the Council by the government; establishment or development of national institutions for research, testing and standardisation with the overall objective of utilising the economic resources of the country in the best possible manner; undertaking and fostering development research for the utilisation of discoveries and inventions resulting from research of the Council.

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An R&D organisation can carry out both laboratory research related to development of useful products such as drugs and vaccines, and also field research such as testing of drugs in the field setting for safety and efficacy. Field research in this context can be of two types. First, testing the efficacy of the drug in a field population, which is part of biomedical research, and second, testing public acceptability of drug, and identifying potential barriers to acceptability and suggesting means to overcome those barriers, which is called operations research. R&D PERFORMANCE Nations R&D performance has been far from satisfactory. The involved parties lying at the interface between science on the one hand, and industry on the other have taken a position that is characterised by some amount of passion. This has considerably overshadowed the important issues. Scientific research leads to creation of knowledge some of which offers useful products and services, a function that usually is carried out by the R&D organisations. Industry then assumes the responsibility of taking these products to the people by bulk production and commercialisation. The two groups scientist at research end, and industrialists on the production line are both interested in getting the benefits of science to the common people, but their vision often gets blurred at the interface. The degree of this is largely the product of the economic circumstances of the country. Almost always, the discordance is acute in poor economies because the country cannot offer the critical minimum financial support to the scientist. Too little resource is shared by too many,

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leading to loss of focus and ultimately little of meaningful scientific work. In Bangladesh, as it is true for many other developing countries, it is a general notion that our R&D institutions have failed to deliver the fruits of their research to the socio-economic development of the country. Reasons for poor performance of the R&D sector are many. One important reason is perhaps the lack of a sound national S&T Action Plan, and the other is our inability to correctly focus our R&D efforts in the context of our own socio-economic conditions, resources and constraints.

The Missing S&T Action Plan

Many years have now been passed after the adoption of the National Science and Technology Policy by the government, but no Science and Technology Action Plan has yet been developed. This was an important mandated function of the National Committee of Science and Technology (NCST). The S&T action plan is critical for the success of science policy. It defines the course of action in the different sectors with details of high priority projects, identifies institutions to undertake those projects, and makes budget provisions within the economic development plan. The S&T action plan developed in this manner would then become the instrument for mission-oriented operation of the R&D institutions. In the absence of an S&T action plan, different R&D institutions drew up their individual research agenda. Generally, the projects that were undertaken could be shown to be falling within the S&T policy frame, and would qualify for funding. Individual scientists were free to select research problems, and

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pursue those according to individual plans with little critical review as to scientific merit, relevance to the need of the country, technical feasibility or commercial potentials. Generally, the leads for many projects came from external sources, and often our scientists failed to appreciate the potential limitations in our contexts. As such, many projects could not proceed beyond laboratory experimentation stages.

Inadequate Project Development Protocol

A major impediment to R&D success has been the poor project appraisal and feasibility study before undertaking a project. Most R&D institutions have highly qualified scientists, many with foreign Ph.D. degree from reputed universities abroad. The Ph.D. work of most scientists pertains to basic research, as expected. After return, they cannot easily match their learning with the available facilities at home institution. Thus, the scientists are immediately required to re-orient their thinking and develop their workplan in entirely new directions, often improperly perceived. This transition requires difficult adjustments to be made by the scientist. But however difficult the task may be, it is an inescapable reality with which the scientist has to learn to live. Unfortunately, however, this is where the most costly mistakes are made. Imbibed with the spirit of free inquiry and a strong zeal to serve the motherland, young scientists quite often fail to identify the components of a project in terms of R&D needs and potentials for commercialisation. This has often led to wasteful spending of resources in pursuits of activities with poor technology content1, and potential invitation of failure.

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Proper project identification is a key element for successful R&D research, but it is an easy task. For a sound R&D project, the scientist needs to examine many issues before undertaking the project. Although project sharpness from scientific perspectives is important, both in R&D initiative and basic research, it is only a small part of the complex set of issues associated with an R&D project. These are: technical and economic feasibility, market demand, sustainability in terms of raw material availability, and the time factor required to complete the project, which can slip off rapidly decimating the value of the product before it is ready for the market. Even issues pertaining to ethics, religion and cultural background of the people to whom the product is targeted are to be considered. These various aspects of R&D initiatives are considered in a special type of study called scientific feasibility study, an elaborate procedure requiring skill, experience and critical review. In many cases our failure at this phase of project development greatly impedes success
1. Waliuzzaman, M. 2003. Role of R&D in industrial development. In: Bangladesh Vision 2021. Bangladesh Academy of Sciences pp. 81-96..

of R&D projects. An example may be illuminating. The use of indigenous raw material is an important consideration in a good R&D project. Decades ago, it was suggested that molasses from our sugar mills could be used to produce citric acid, an important industrial raw material, by growing fungal organisms (moulds) in the molasses that would convert the molasses into citric acid. Projects on production of bakers yeast grown in molasses were also considered. Yeast being rich in protein and vitamins, it was felt that it could be used as feed supplement in poultry industry.

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Against these multiple uses of molasses, certain important aspects escaped notice of the R&D scientists. For instance, the molasses production and the world economic trends involving these products were not critically examined. The Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission undertook the project on citric acid production in the mid-1960s. By the mid-1980s some progress had been made and it was determined at that time that about 100 tons of citric acid was our annual requirement, and that if the product is made in the country we could save about 50 lac Taka in foreign exchange annually. With the quantity of molasses available, 50-70 thousand tons per year1, this quantity of citric acid could indeed be produced. But there were a few contingencies. Molasses that would actually be available for citric acid production after its other uses such as ethanol production, and the potential savings that could be made, were not rigorously worked out. Also, increased citric acid requirement of the country could not be projected, and the time that would be needed to travel from that particular stage of the work to industrial production was not well charted. After nearly two decades of laboratory work, there were no industrialists found with interest in the product. The time taken was unduly long for the laboratory work, and in the meantime sugarcane

1. Islam, M. S. and N. Choudhury. 1986. Genetic improvement of industrial microorganisms: Induction of high citric acid accumulating mutants of Aspergillus niger with the help of gamma-rays. In: Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering. Ed. Zia U. Ahmed and N. Choudhury. Bangladesh Academy of Sciences.

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acreage declined due to increasing pressure on land for cereal production, and the coming winds of market changes meanwhile made it obvious to the entrepreneurs that imported citric acid would be far less costly and of perceived superior quality than the small quantity of locally made product. Here, we lost many years of R&D work in a manner typical of many other R&D efforts. INDUSTRY APATHY Why are the entrepreneurs not responsive to our R&D inventions? We complain that our industrialists are venture-shy, and are neither willing to spend on industrial R&D efforts of their own preference, nor would they support institutional R&D ventures. The issue important to business is whether the local product has a substantial pricing edge over the imported material. To an industrialist, no product is satisfactory if the market of the local product is several times higher than the imported product. In the case of bakers yeast production, scientists at BCSIR calculated that locally produced yeast would cost Tk 150 per kg while imported yeast would cost Tk 250 per kg. To an industrialist, this difference of Tk 100 is not a big margin in low volume production ventures. A product such as this, according to the thumb rule of business, should have several times higher price to be commercially attractive. For the past several years, many R&D activities are being carried out in different institutions on storage of dry vegetables, preservation of vegetables by radiation, preservation of vegetables in salt solution, canning of local fruits, etc. While undertaking such studies one should consider whether in our climatic conditions, production seasonality, consumption rate etc.,

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there is any potential for commercial use of such processes? These are the questions that an entrepreneur will ask. Storage of fruits and vegetables by keeping them at low temperature is the most appropriate way to maintain their natural taste and other consumer-preferred properties. But cold storage is expensive and highly energy dependent. Thus it is beyond the easy reach of many developing countries. The question of canning fruits in our country is to be seen in the perspective of whether there is sufficient need for canning. That is, do we produce enough of the fruit item with sufficient surplus over the normal level of its fresh consumption? Does the item have the important characteristic of biological uniformity, a factor that is important in preservation process? Two varieties of mango, for instance, will almost certainly require small changes in the preservation protocol. For preservation, one ought to select a particular variety and through programmed breeding one has to raise a uniform crop for the applied preservation process. This is also be true for other fruits such as pineapple one single variety should be used, for which its cultivation has to be customised preferably in one cultivation facility; otherwise, batch to batch variations will invariably affect product quality and customer acceptability. Canning of pineapple was taken up as a commercial project with export objectives. There are two issues for consideration: production volume of pineapple and local consumption. Pineapple production is seasonal and its production cost is low. It does not put stress on prime agricultural land because it can be cultivated on hill slopes where no other crop can be easily grown. The price that the farmer gets is perhaps adequate to cover the cost of production and make some profit. But the project failed, perhaps due to

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heterogeneity in the quality of pineapple and consequent process failure. Canned fruit is not much in demand in our country because fresh fruits of different types are available throughout the year. Whether our background is compatible with the canning culture, and whether the small number of lovers of the canned product would prefer our products over those that can be flown from abroad at only a little extra cost, is important to consider. In external market, our products would face competitors. Thus, we must first ask, do we have a competitive advantage in this trade? Canned mango may be an exportable item with established types of mango of uniform quality, but to increase production volume for economy of scale, considerable increase in acreage will be needed for mango cultivation, which is not feasible. Vegetables such as brinjal and cauliflower can be preserved in salt solution and marketed in jars, will our people develop a taste for the product when fresh material is easily available? On one side, brinjal is a relatively low cost item and it grows in all parts of the country, and cultivation of several varieties throughout the country more or less ensures its supply round the year. So an industry based on salt-preserved brinjal is not likely to make a market. Cauliflower is highly seasonal and although it is cultivated now in a fairly large scale, it is not in great demand in the countryside largely because of its cost. If, for instance, we assume that it will continue to be an item of the relatively well to do section of the society in future, then the preferred preservation method is cold storage. Thus, the expectation that R&D work in these lines would lead to the development of any commercial product is unrealistic.

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There biotechnology.

are, In

however, Bangladesh,

potentials trained

for

microbial are

microbiologists

produced in fairly large numbers now who do meet the needs of the service sector such as quality control in pharmaceutical industries, shrimp culture, food processing industry and the fast growing sector of clinical microbiology. But microbiological product development is a difficult matter where fierce competition is to be met from the industrialised countries owning advanced technologies, which is a strong deterrent to this sector in all developing countries. Most of our R&D institutions in the health sector are engaged in adaptive research, mainly testing diagnostic kits in the field setting. Also included in such studies are testing new drugs and vaccines, or enhancing demand of marketed products through awareness creation and market promotional activities. Basic research on the development of drugs and vaccines is, at this time, beyond the capability of our national health research institutes. An international health research centre which was created by an Act of the Parliament and which is now famous for its contribution in the area of diarrhoeal diseases carries out small amount of basic biomedical research. This is the International Centre for Dirrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (ICDDR,B) with modern facilities for basic research. But ICDDR,B being entirely a donor supported organisation with no reserve funds or endowment for basic research, has focused most of its efforts in well conducted field trials of new drugs and vaccines including the now famous oral saline for diarrhoea. Donor countries have profitably used ICDDR,Bs excellent field facilities to test many health products. In the clinical facilities of ICDDR,B trial of drugs in volunteers, sick or healthy as the study may require, is a

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priority area and many western pharmaceutical companies are available with funds to field-test their products. Thus, contrary to the expectation that ICDDR,B would promote basic research by spending a fraction of its resources, it turned out that basic research cannot be carried out by the centre even if funds are available. This stems from the fact that no donor country or company with a product under development will like to finance an organisation that would stand as a competitor. Attempts made by local scientists in this direction in the past met with stiff resistance both from the centres administration and the donor community. With the transit of the country to market economy the range of testable health products increased considerably. ICDDR,B made good use of the emerging opportunities. Key research areas were opened in Child Survival, Population and Reproductive Health, Application and Policy, and biomedical research on human molecular genetics and Molecular Diagnostics, turning many of its filed studies to no more than market promotion activities for the available products in diarrhoea, family planning and child health. The government while approving these changes in the centres work strategy could do little to encourage basic research aimed at development of biomedical products as opposed to testing such products. The necessary will was not there in the government, and when donors expressed the view that basic research in Bangladesh is not their business but a business of the government of Bangladesh, the government quietly accepted the view. Microbiological product development in the biomedical arena thus remains a distant goal for us.

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These considerations although very pessimistic in tone, are, however, not trivial to the entrepreneur. An industrialist will ask precise questions on viability of the product, and its market potentials. In most cases, we cannot present a product with strong competitive edge. It is through such questions that differences in perception arise between science and industry. Scientists are blamed by the industry as living in an imagined world; the industry is blamed by the scientists for being non-receptive to scientific inventions. The interface between science and industry thus remains blurred. INDUSTRIAL R&D In developing countries, the results of laboratory research are taken to the market in a few discrete steps. Conception of a project and study of its feasibility is the first step. Laboratory research then defines the basic procedure of the process leading to pilot scale production, which examines whether the scale-up procedure works well, and wherever necessary the needed modifications are introduced in the process. Next step is evaluation of the pilot lot in a small-scale field trial. If the product is, for instance, an edible item, it is to be subjected to a market assessment as to its acceptability, price and competition. If it is a biomedical product, the product is subjected to a clinical evaluation for safety and efficacy, prior to testing a pilot production lot in a small field population. This stage sets up the need for another level of R&D, which is different from research R&D, which is sometimes referred to as industrial R&D. This involves such studies as largescale field trials of the product, consumer acceptability, for

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biomedical products the safety aspects in field conditions, ease of use of the product in the field setting, market survey for potential demand, determination of production volume, study of export potential, establishment of production technology and finally release of the product. In western countries, industries maintain R&D

infrastructure at both the levels that is, industries maintain both laboratory R&D and industrial R&D infrastructure, the latter for the transit of the product from near industrial readiness to fullscale industrial production. In the developing countries, however, the situation is different, because of governments direct participation in laboratory R&D, as opposed to the industrialised countries, where the industry gets substantial tax benefits for R&D work. In those countries, therefore, maintaining a laboratory for basic R&D work is a private sector undertaking. The governments role there is primarily regulatory, relating to safety of the product. In the advanced countries research funding provided by the government is restricted to supporting basic research in universities and specialised high profile research institutions, whose discoveries provide the driving force for industrial R&D. In developing countries, the interface between research organisations and the industry has to be viewed in the context that most of our R&D work is government supported, and the interaction of the scientists with the industries is weak. The industry would be interested in a product only after the product has passed the following stages:

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A. The product has reached the stage of licensing; B. The pilot production lot has performed well in the market or in the field setting; C. Production technology can be easily acquired; D. The product is backed by sustainable raw material supply from within the country; E. The product has a substantial market that will recover investment within a short time which in most cases will be in the range of 3-5 years and; F. There is export potential of the product.

These conditions are difficult to create readily in a developing country that makes the industry take cautious steps before investing in industrial R&D. It is important to keep in mind that in our situation one of the foremost considerations of an industrial enterprise is the assurance that the product is sold immediately for sufficient profit that will enable rapid cost recovery. This is also the strategy of industries in other countries as well, but there is a substantive operational difference. That is, in industrialised countries the high profile industrial establishments have sizeable amounts of idle money money that cannot be invested readily for high-return economic activities. Small profits are not tempting to large industries in the industrialised countries. As a result, these industries often choose to divert that money to R&D. The industries either carry out the necessary R&D themselves, or give the money to research

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institutions as contract research projects, or simply as research grants. In developing countries, idle money is not available. Industrialists can re-invest all the profit that they earn, either in the same business or in a new business. Since all new industries in developing countries are based on established readily available technologies, immediate profit is almost guaranteed. As the economy grows, the magnitude of their profit also grows, some of which could then be placed in the idle pocket and used for R&D. But we dont see this happening in our country yet due to several reasons among which socio-economic factors are important. We do yet not know the point in our culture where our industrialists would put some of their profit into the idle pocket, instead of funnelling it into the chain reaction of rapid amplification. When a nation wins over the amplification syndrome, there is the appearance Ford, Rockefeller and Carnegie. But one might also wonder how much money Henry Ford had when he established the Ford Foundation, or Graham Bell when he founded the Bell Laboratories? Did philanthropy play any role, or it was a function of the personal fortunes? There is also the element called venture fatigue within our industrial circle. This is evident in the fact that even if our industry is given an indigenous technology, and the necessary fund, either as grant or soft loan, there is little enthusiasm because the time and energy that will be required to make the product a commercial success can be better given to an adaptive technology of proven market and high profit margins.

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While there are blames, which science and industry can trade against one another, the role of the government cannot be overlooked. Lack of funding is one and it is quite miserable one indeed. It is well established that when less than 1% of GDP is spent on S&T, it cannot produce any good results. Our S&T spending is as low as 0 .05 - 0.1%. This amounts to spending the money to keep the scientists alive as individuals, a sort of welfare benefit to this scientific community. In addition to this wellknown malady of poor funding, the overall apathy reflected in the administration of the R&D sector, particularly that related to industry as opposed to agriculture or health, has been conspicuous since the time of Pakistan. There was no uniform policy of recruitment of young scientists in different R&D institutions, which resulted in several tiers of scientists within the R&D framework. Some institutions got the brightest products of the university, while others found it difficult to attract them because of differences in opportunities and benefits. It is true that all institutes cannot be of the same standard with respect to talent or infrastructure, but science is a highly specialised activity, and it is essential that a certain minimum level is attained by an institution, and to ensure that science does not suffer marginalisation into an off-line activity. In summary, while the mono-disciplinary R&D institutes such as those on rice, wheat, sugarcane, etc. in the agriculture sector, have done significant work over the past years on improving yield, similar tributes cannot be paid to institutes in the industrial and biomedical sectors. The agriculture sector had some special advantages the support of the government, ready fund availability, and the fact that by and large they carried out simple adaptive research rather than basic research. Agricultural R&D

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had little to interact with the industry. In the agriculture and biomedical area, our interaction with the industry was nonproductive because we could not offer any product with which they felt confident about profit. This was due to the fact that we failed to identify projects that would attract entrepreneurs. With our transit to market economy, we cannot expect our businessmen to support indigenous R&D at the cost of ready technologies available from abroad for immediate use. This brings up the question of how, in the changed economic order, should the government address the crucial issues of science and technology development in the country?

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Eleven

S&T in New World Order

CHANGES AND CONSEQUENCES The new economic order that swept through the globe beginning in the 1990s signalled many changes including changes in the scope of science in the changed world. Balance of political power fast disappeared, which gave the economic order both an enormous and a scathing competition for wealth accumulation. Improved travel and movement of goods, and rapid information transfer, changed the world into a global village, a phenomenon that was considered illusive even a decade ago. Free market was projected to be the cure for all of the worlds economic ills, in different covers and colours. Developing countries opened their doors readily qualification, exposing a huge population to everything that the industrial countries had to offer, from onion and orange juice to cricket, and the fun culture mania. The free market requires liberty, freedom, democracy, and good governance for optimal operation. In the absence of these in many developing countries social murmurs were evident, but market reforms slowly picked up pace in the predicted manner. Western mannerism, and marketism transformed the large cities into what may be called mini-countries within the country. Scientists in the developing countries saw these changes as an impediment to their freedom, but they had little time to think for long. The changes were fast and sweeping.

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Standing

on

the

crossroads

our

scientists

were

bewildered. They are often irritated when their work are put to the searching tests of the market, and not too infrequently, they blame the government for failing to protect their scientific freedom from the sharp edges of the market culture. They wondered should S&T be left to the swings the of market forces? This is a difficult transition in any setting, and for us the task was further confounded by certain facts of our history. Thirty-three years have passed since Bangladesh came into the world map as an independent nation. The first few years had to be spent in mitigating the devastations of the war. Both the economy and the state machinery fell victim of a crippling political instability, which as a consequence, caused deep fractures in the rudimentary foundations of the nations S&T infrastructure. Increasing the scientific manpower was a priority but training and infrastructure development remained dangerously neglected. Lack of competition in scientific research in the availability of research funds was damaging. It has long been the practice in our S&T institutions to receive funds directly from the government, and to dispense the funds to different units of the institute as per internal rules. But the rules often failed to address an important scientific issue, that is, preferential funding of projects of high merit due to lack of stringent procedure of institutional scientific review. This inevitably led to mediocrity, which was perpetuated by the system of permanent appointment and poor performance review. In most cases, scientific publication, and occasionally patents of little value, were the criteria to judge performance. Publications often mean appearance

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of an article in one of the many local or institutional in-house journals, and authorship means appearance of ones name in the long list of authors that appear in the paper with little scientific and intellectual input, but a good public relations profile. This almost guarantees promotion. These are the ills of a lack of competitive climate. SCIENTIFIC REVIEW SYSTEM A shift from core-funding to project-specific funding would create an atmosphere of competition. The core funding should be greatly reduced, as centralised operations are to be more inefficient. Decentralisation of scientific efforts to individual levels is desirable, as this will boost individual initiatives. In such a shift, the enterprising scientists may well outperform their past. This shift in scientific research that will be more individualbased is important since it will help proper identification of talents without internal tremor. By far the most significant lapse in our R&D activities is the lack of a sound system of review of scientific activities. A system of rigorous project review is critical for any project-based funding system. In the USA, such review process is thoroughly searching. Government funding agencies usually take about one year for a project to be reviewed. The grant application, what we call project proforma, is designed in such a manner that to present just the skeleton or summary of the important aspects of a project it would take about 25 pages. To this, is added the scientific portion of the project with review of literature, experimental procedure, rationale, and budget with full justification of every item of expenditure, etc. A grant application is routinely an

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elaborate document of about 50 pages. The application is given to several reviewers and a panel of experts selected by the granting agency for evaluation. Through this searching exercise the merit of the project comes to sharp focus. Although it is a highly involved procedure, the system has proved to be effective in selecting projects of high merit. We have not yet been able to develop a good project review system, as much as we have no definite granting agency, with defined scientific work programme. There is no standard project format that is sufficiently elaborate to allow critical assessment of the project, and no worthwhile monitoring mechanism to review the progress of research projects. An active monitoring system would deter sluggish performance or mediocrity, and the competition, which will be generated through such a system, will both encourage young scientists to stay home and those abroad who are looking for an opportunity to return home, to come back. The transition from centralised to project-based financing may not be easy, strong opposition may be encountered. A scientist has to win competitive research grants, and obtain funds both for the scientific work, and supplementation of his salary. Strong political will be necessary to accomplish this change, if S&T is to be properly organised in the present time. Important contingencies ought to be appreciated funds and grand plans are not enough without bright scientists in leadership positions, and young talents in the pipeline. Without this, much of the money may simply vanish. Nehru had an uncanny ability to identify such talents. He had kept science under his direct administrative control and story goes that he would sign blank

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cheques to hand over to them without reservations. The outcome as we know now was brilliant! Importantly and perhaps signalling a major departure, it is to be expected that as a result of such changes, there will be an automatic freeze to permanent employment because such a system with an ingrained sustained high level competition can only operate under short-term employment at entry, and when an individual has achieved the desired level of accomplishment, longer term employment can be provided but with the clear understanding that there is nothing like permanent employment in the new system persistent non-productivity will inevitably result loss of job. Scientific research is no less stringent a business than traditional business, so no complacency deserves any attention. THE NEEDED FOCUS It may be unacceptable to many when we say that at the present time a good option for us is perhaps the free market. Our circumstances high population, scarce resource base, small land area, and high population density may stand to our advantage. Our main economic resource is our large population. Our products and services will earn for us the needed wealth to buy all that we need but cannot produce because we do not have enough land. The need will be wide- ranging, almost everything for food, clothing and shelter, since we will in the future produce very little of any of these on our meagre parcel of available arable land, which would face the heaviest human pressure and turn rapidly highly poisonous. Thus our survival kit is not our land, but our hand. If we can make products of high demand and freely

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sell those in the global market, the wider is the market and the greater is the freedom, the better it will be for us. SEPARATION OF SCIENCE FROM TECHNOLOGY In these contexts what should be the focus in S&T? Science generally is independent of its immediate practical value; it primarily strives at understanding nature. Some findings of science do, however, carry potentials for application, which the discipline of engineering picks up for further development with additional input research to enhance its utility. Finally, technology takes up for large-scale operation. Thus, science has generally broad objectives but technology has specific goals of practical value. Technology is created by scientific knowledge, but the purpose of technology is to modify the knowledge in a defined manner, that is, to convert the scientific knowledge to an easily usable format. The greater is this conversion, the better it would serve the industry. Scientific results are regarded as universal, but technology has an inherent secrecy component. Technical knowledge is protected for commercial exploitation as intellectual property. These differences carry significant implications on planning, and unless these differences are understood in their proper contexts, mistakes may be made. The scope of scientific research is knowledge-oriented, hence much broad-based. Scientific planning cannot ignore this element of profundity in scientific research, and cannot easily dispel the inherent element of uncertainty in scientific research. Technology, on the other hand, must be fixed and based on certainty. And, largely because of these attributes the utilitarian value technology must be

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amenable to measurements. While the measurement of scientific research is largely confined within the scientific community, technology is inevitably measured externally on the basis of its contribution to socio-economic development, and human comfort. For the scientist, however, these distinctions are not always easy to comprehend. The mindset of the scientists is inherently fixed to the notion that science is first and foremost a free enterprise of the creative mind, and must thus look at creation of knowledge as its first and foremost goal. But an appreciation of the distinction is important. Many developing countries plan science and technology together, but some countries avoid this mixing of which Maldives, Malaysia, Korea and some other countries of the Asia-Pacific region offer examples. These countries emphasized on only technology initially with little attention to basic science. After having attained a certain level in technology, they are now trying to raise the level of basic science. But this strategy may not be without problems. Intellectual stagnancy is dangerous, and firmly grounded it is often very difficult to uproot. Among the developing countries, India provides an example of significant exception as to the fact that India has pursued science and technology planning together since its birth due to the highly fortunate circumstances. India had its scientific base already formed when the market transition was initiated. Specific country context should determine what route to follow in S&T efforts. We also have done our S&T planning through the mixed route, perhaps due to historical antecedents. We lived in undivided India for hundreds of years, and perhaps failed to see our highly different contexts in new Bangladesh. This blending

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was perhaps inappropriate. This has been reflected in our National Science and Technology Policy. The policy is widely believed to have major lapses, but no new policy has yet emerged correcting those inadequacies. This is again due to the fact that the significance of this blending has not been fully appreciated, that led to our failure on deciding our options. In a situation of relative affluence, a country can take to the luxurious recourse of blending many extempore flambuoyant intentions, and achieve little with not much impunity, but for us it would be a highly defeating path.. It is important that that we define our science agenda, and our technology priorities. We may ask ourselves how much of high-tone basic science can we realistically hope to do, and how much of technology should we aim at, and in which direction? This is a difficult question to which a ready answer would also be difficult to find, but one that cannot be evaded. Traditionally, universities have served as the focal point of science as for other creative pursuits. Universities thus have raised an umbrella with some measure of legitimacy over the scientific activities of a nation, and for the most part, this has worked well. Our universities also had the same role when the country was under the British rule, and very significant contributions were made in the physical sciences. But the Muslims unfortunately fell behind the Hindus in this respect. The effect of this was that there was a very weak foundation of science in Muslim society, the legacy of which is painfully felt by us today. This sad state was further accentuated by the notion that university education must be made accessible to many through liberal enrolment and high subsidy. The effect of this has been catastrophic.

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Scientific research must strive for excellence because of the universal nature of science, and as such it must face the inescapable global competition. Since at present we cannot face the competition well, we must take the decision as to whether we should invest in hard-core basic research. This is not to negate basic research, but as I will elaborate later, to fix our priorities in the global context. Development of strategies for basic research is something that a nation with our heritage cannot ignore. Some scientists would like to think that we should take lessons from the global changes and approach the issue of scientific research with new pragmatism, not unrestrained zeal. That is, we may consider separation of science from technology and, of course, put greater emphasis on technology initially. This has been done by Japan. But there is a risk that basic science might suffer, and one can see that it indeed happened in Japan. Japan through its highly disciplined workforce and technical skill, has revolutionized its manufacturing sector with magical levels of proficiency. It has done so not by lofty achievements in creative science, but by applying the skills of copying to add value to material. Countries like ours cannot neglect the potential economic benefits that would accrue from such a compromise. There will of course be criticism to this, such as by sealing basic science into a crystal vessel and allowing only technology to reign over the nations intellectual horizon, can we build the long-term future of the nation? This is certainly true, we cannot. Today Japan has earnestly begun to appreciate the mistake, and now places great emphasis on basic research, because it feels that without basic research, progress in the longer term is impossible. This is a crucial issue that merits serious thinking

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Prior to the 1990s, there was no separate ministry for science and technology in Bangladesh. Science and technology was placed under the ministry of education as a division. A separate ministry of Science and Technology (MoS&T) was created in the early 1990s, which was later renamed as Ministry of Science and Information & Communication Technology (MoSICT), for emphasis on the emerging ICT (Information and Communication Technology) sector. These metamorphoses and the strange nomenclature style were not associated with serious policy shift, which thereby failed to bring any good even in the ICT sector. As of 2004, there were about 400 software exporting companies in Bangladesh, that earned about Tk 42 crores annually, a rather trivial amount. The reason for this poor performance of the ICT sector deserves careful study. We often exclaim with pride when young Bangladeshi youths win prizes in international competitions in computer contests. This would certainly bear testimony to the merit of our youths, but it also contrasts sharply with the poor growth of this sector. Our performance in this sector should be dispassionately analysed it casts reflection on the pitfalls of our S&T planning. The S&T sector needs strong background in basic science in subjects such as physics and mathematics. Sadly, due to the general decline in the standard of our university education, the teaching of these subjects has also suffered. If the universities could maintain the expected high standard by investing more prudently, these departments could be the springboards for our ICT ventures. In a fiercely competitive ICT world, innovative skills are those that effectively supplement the copying skills. Imitation with innovation requires a strong base in science.

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PRIVATE SECTOR S&T The prospect of private sector S&T in Bangladesh is poor at this time. Science has been traditionally regarded as a sector for the state to develop. Private sector S&T would be obviously highly focused and tailored to the market demands, and there will be no external interference in its course of development. Thus, its scope of work would be very different from that if it had been in the hands of the government. It is not easy for the government, for instance, to restrict highly basic scientific research to a small number of specialised institutions, and to segregate science from technology at this time. One may then wonder whether it would be a correct course at this to place selected S&T packages into the domain of the private sector and see how it performs under the market forces? Private sector science will be application-oriented that could be rapidly transformed into technology, and to marketable goods and services. Many experts of S&T planning believe that in most developing countries, a prudent approach would be the sectorial approach, as opposed to integration of various dimensions of S&T in one intricate conglomerate. For us, the sectorial approach can be initially considered depending on the resources available in discipline-based or even narrower packages, such as specific activity-based undertakings. The specific-activity-based approach may be easier for the private sector to adopt. In this scheme, the development of S&T ventures will be contingent upon an important preceding parameter, that is, scientific attainments of the type that can produce immediate commercial benefits. Here, one has to

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recognise the fact that technology will precede science for a time. Thus initially such ventures would most likely be an adopted technology to be adapted to local conditions so called reverse technology. This reverse period would be intellectually dull, and certainly unattractive to bright scientists, as it would be simply a period of adoption of established methods and available technologies to make marketable products. This period may last for quite some years depending on a myriad of circumstances, after which the system itself would force a contingency upon the sponsoring organisations to enhance their technical capability in order to adopt higher-level technologies. At this stage, the organisations would be required to invest in scientific research, or risk serious financial loss, even their survival. Some significant transformations would then take place in the relationship of the private sector and the research scientists, working in dedicated research institutions. Admittedly, the private sector will be unwilling to tread along the difficult and costly track of highly basic research in science and technology all by itself. Instead, it will prefer to work in partnership with the universities and R&D institutions, where the infrastructure is already available together with the needed manpower. A productive operational linkage might thus be established. This linkage would be sustainable because it would be of benefit to both parties, and would be cost effective. But the private sector in its truly professional outlook would only look for the very best in the trade the best scientists and the best laboratories in the universities that would match with their requirements and the universities would be required to provide the right kind of these things for the interaction to develop in right directions.

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For this scientific interaction, understandably research centres of high reputation ought to be available. This would be the time of a critical transition. Pressure from the private sector will force research scientists and research organisations to develop professionalism in their work, and at this stage the universities will have to break their dormancy and rise with new vigour and a positive mindset. The university at this time would appreciate the benefit of learning while earning from this partnership. Some shifts in the universitys operating strategy would then have to be brought about by changing the operating. As private sector S&T may be intellectually less stimulating, finding right kind of private sector organisations to do the job may not easy. Private sector enterprises that can be identified at this time for such technology ventures with the necessary operating gadgets are few. Indeed, only some private universities operated by large NGOs, and some pharmaceutical companies, are the ones that may be considered at this time. Front row private universities are few, and they should be prepared to make the necessary investments in infrastructure creation for programme-based S&T ventures. It has to be hoped that given the pressure of the new economic order, the private universities will soon find it possible, and also necessary, to accommodate science research within the folds of their stated purpose of fulfilling market demands, which at present is restricted to training students only for the job-ready business establishments. This advantage will soon wane; and already there are signs that the process may already have begun.

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At present, S&T activity is very restricted in the pharmaceutical industry, although they have the necessary infrastructure. The reasons for this are many, and some have been outlined in a section on science and industry. One problem is fund availability. The pharmaceutical industries expect the government to provide the necessary funds and incentives for S&T work, which the government has failed to do. But this shift would offer new options; it would not be necessary for the industry to extend its arms to the government for financial help. Instead, they now can tread freely into the free market to develop collaborative ventures with national and foreign investors and partner companies. Opportunities for the pharmaceutical companies are vast, and our industries should be prepared with new vision to seize the opportunities in the areas of our advantage. One particular field that can be readily identified, which has been discussed later, is the biomedical field. This is the area where an international NGO, the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (ICDDR,B), has been working in the country for the past few decades. It has made significant contributions towards the development of new drugs, vaccines and other biomedical interventions, by blending the basic research carried out in western countries and performing the necessary field testing and laboratory based studies on field the material here, to develop biomedical products many of which have been successfully commercialised by western companies. Our local pharmaceutical companies and some local NGOs working in the biomedical area and possess field facilities, can easily compete in this area. They are likely to succeed in this competition because of the critical advantage of low operating

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cost compared to the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (ICDDR,B) where a system of high salaried international level positions are mandated by the ordinance which the Bangladesh Parliament enacted in 1978 to create the Centre. The international positions are structured after the United Nations system, which entails very high cost on the part of the Centre. Since the Centre is almost entirely donor-supported with no significant resource of its own to cover its operating cost, and as there are increasing signs of donor fatigue in funding the Centre, the centre has now turned to project-based funding in areas that are of interest to the western pharmaceutical industries. The Centres scientists develop research projects in collaboration with external partners working in advanced laboratories. The latter usually maintain linkage with the different independent and different funding agencies in the industrialised world. Western pharmaceutical industries also maintain close linkage in this funding system. Thus, in the biomedical sector, project-based research money is easy to find, with which the Centre has been operating well. However, this advantage cannot be long lasting in a world of free enterprise. Already, because of its high operating cost the Centre has fast loosing its monopoly in the competitive free market. The edge of advantage that the Centre currently enjoys almost entirely now comes from the support that it receives from the Government of Bangladesh as per provisions of the founding ordinance. The support provides protection of protection to the Centre in its activities. In order to attract more external funding, the Centre has broadened its work area much beyond diarrhoeal disease research the Centre is now informally called Centre for Health and Population Research. Through this

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shift it is now possible for the Centre to write projects on different areas of health research. In essence, this strategy has all the flavour of private sector S&T which is supported by high-level funding assurances from international multilateral sources and government agencies, that act as business promotion arms of respective companies. Our advantage in collaborative S&T with foreign partners in the biomedical area is significant. This should be understood by us clearly and prudently exploited. The private universities are the ones that can quickly orient themselves to fit into the folds of this advantage, than the state-run universities. This advantage in biomedical sector that the new economic order offers to us should not be lost for lack of vision, and it is the private universities that have the circumstances more congenial to exploiting the advantage. The new economic order should stimulate new thinking about our S&T planning. Routine financial support that the government has to provide at present to keep the state-run universities operational cannot be withdrawn. It will perhaps continue at the present level. Sadly, this in effect will also mean a decrease in real value of the investment because of uncontrollable factors such as increased enrolment of students without matching increase in funding and enhanced inflationary pressures. Without massive investment the public universities cannot be lifted from the abyss of stagnancy, which the government cannot do by using a uniform policy for all universities; it cannot be selectively as it this will be immediately turned into unpleasant slogans. When a government rests on a platform of underdevelopment, poverty governments and multinational pharmaceutical

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and illiteracy, any denial can be politically penalising and the voting constituency is usually seen to inflict the necessary punishment correct such aberrations every few years through the institution of election, but the punishment as a rule fails to correct the malady. It resurfaces soon after the elections are over creating grounds for another penalising episode few years down the road.

Twelve

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Exploiting Advantages: Biomedical Research

Human health and primary education are the two sectors that received special attention of our development partners during the early 1980s. Studies on how best to deliver health care services to the people in the developing countries also received a share of this attention. Research in the health sector can be operationally divided into two categories, biomedical research and health research. Biomedical research involves basic laboratory research related to understanding of disease, and making diagnostic tools, drugs and vaccines. The latter category of research operates at the community level, aiming at providing health care in an efficient and cost-effective manner, and is generally blended with diverse disciplines such as epidemiology, anthropology, behavioral science, and other branches of the social sciences. History of basic biomedical research in Bangladesh is neither very old nor highly substantive. It was, in fact, through international collaboration that the maiden steps of biomedical research in Bangladesh were taken. This involved the historic disease cholera. The high prevalence of Asiatic cholera in Southeast Asia, and increasing US military involvement in this area during the Vietnam War in the 1960s, stimulated basic research on treatment and prevention of cholera. This led to the establishment in 1960 by the then South East Asian Treaty Organization (SEATO), a research laboratory in Dhaka named SEATO Cholera Research Laboratory, which became Cholera Research Laboratory (CRL) after the birth of Bangladesh in 1971. In 1978, the CRL was changed into an international centre under

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the name International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (ICDDR,B). The ICDDR,B was created by a landmark Act of Bangladesh Parliament, the first of its kind enacted by the Parliament, establishing the only international NGO in the world with wide mandate to carry out research on diarrhoeal diseases and associated problems of nutrition and fertility. The Act gave nearly unlimited freedom to the Centre to obtain research funds from international sources. The organization also enjoyed substantial exemptions from duties and taxes, and significantly, immunity from legal proceedings. Over the years, the ICDDR,B has made significant contributions towards development of the medical marvel of the past century the oral route to correcting dehydration caused by severe diarrhoea through drinking saline, instead of intravenous infusion. Since 1963 it also carried out field trials of cholera vaccines, and other anti-diarrhoeal vaccines. However, no effective vaccine against diarrhoea has yet been developed. During the late 1980s the impact of globalization was reflected in the operation of ICDDR,B and the Centre made some changes in its research agenda, and in its fund-raising mechanism. Research emphasis changed from biomedical research to fieldoriented applied research. Areas of research were widened to include broader health problems in addition to diarrhoeal diseases, which was the main mandated function of the centre. The Centre added the epithet Centre for Health and Population Research as part of its logo, to emphasize this shift. This shift ensured better flow of funds from external sources. Specific projects were supported by international development agencies often reflecting the interest of multi-national pharmaceutical companies, and these projects received priorities in the Centres

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research agenda. Indeed, by the mid-1990s one stated mission objective of ICDDR,B was work in improving both supply of and demand for existing health technologies. The ICDDR,B is equipped with advanced facilities for basic laboratory research but these facilities are primarily used for work towards refining diagnostic and therapeutic products that are developed by foreign organizations in links with Western pharmaceutical companies and development agencies. In these efforts the Centre has optimally utilized the talents of bright local scientists in foreign-funded contract-research projects, but failed to stimulate innovative research at the Centre that could lead to the development of competitive biomedical products. Basic research if supported at the Centre could possibly add to the Centres financial independence, and greater freedom to pursue its own research agenda, rather than carrying out primarily donor-driven activities. The stated reason for this disinterest in basic research has been traditionally the notion that the Centre should only undertake research in areas where its strength is the greatest. This view was automatically translates into research that involves testing drugs, vaccines and other biomedical interventions the large rural populations of Bangladesh and in the burgeoning urban slum populations in large cities that were readily accessible to the Centre. In the national scene, a small number of R&D institutions do carry out research in the biomedical area. They also generally follow the working lines of ICDDR,B albeit in much smaller scale in that they also have funding linkages for carrying out similar trials in clinical settings in their hospitals. Some private sector clinics and hospitals are also seen to have interest in research, but

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the type of research that they do is generally linked with the drug development and marketing efforts of the multinational pharmaceutical companies. Overall, by late 1990s market forces also caused noticeable changes in the career vision of our young scientists, and medical professionals. They became instrumental in product promotion while serving the nation with better health services. OUR WEALTH: HUMAN GENOMIC BIODIVERSITY Advances in genetics have been phenomenal over the past few decades. Genetics deals with the activities of the living organisms, how they produce the like, and how the almost infinite number of chemical steps in the complex life process are controlled in a manner that preserves the biological uniqueness of different life forms in the planet. Genetics added a new dimension in its development with the discovery of the structure of DNA by the biologist James D. Watson and physicist Francis Crick in 1952. This epoch-making discovery quickly set the course of the life sciences in a new direction that today touches the realms of chemistry and physics. It undoubtedly will embrace more fundamental aspects of the physical sciences, such as quantum mechanics to fully explain the phenomenon of life. DNA carries the biological information needed for functioning of life in the form of a language that has only four alphabets. These alphabets, the building blocks of DNA, are the nucleotides or bases. Human beings contain about 6 x 109 bases (six billion) carried in two spirally twisted long molecules that make the classic DNA double helix structure proposed by Watson and Crick. That is, one strand of the double-stranded DNA

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molecule contains 3 x 109 bases, representing the human genome. A fraction of these bases make up about 35,000 or so functioning genes, each of which is different in the sequence of bases. The complete sequence in which these 6 billion bases are arranged in the two DNA strands has now been determined through the mega-project under the name Human Genome Project. The of human genome sequence is a landmark event. Understanding the information inherent in the sequence carries vast potentials in human medicine. The humankind is one single species, the Homo sapiens. Like all of the nearly 20 million identified species of plants, animals and microbes that inhabit the planet, each species with unique genome sequence, the genomes of individual human beings are also similar. But there are rare changes in the base sequence of individual genes that are brought about by mutation. These changes introduce variations in the genome, and are responsible for genetic diversity within a species. No two individuals, except identical twins, are likely to have identical genomes. It is not easy to sequence the genome of each and every individual nor it is perhaps necessary. But there are numerous ethnic groups in the world whose genetic diversity is important as it may add new knowledge to genetics and help in the discovery of new genes, and new drugs. Furthermore, as the genetic blueprint is eventually reflected in human habits, behaviour, disease susceptibility etc., there will be great benefit in being able to correlate genes with these attributes. In the human genome 99.9 % of the sequence is identical in all humans. Only about 0.1% of the sequence show individual variations involving single nucleotides. These single

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nucleotide variations serve as useful diagnostic tools and many of these differences relate to genetic diseases. The frequency of these single nucleotide differences is about one base per 1000 bases. In the human genome, therefore, there should be approximately three million such changes. In 1999, a consortium was formed in the UK to map 300,000 such single base differences representing one tenth of the total number, and to correlate genetic variations with disease. For this purpose, a total of 500,000 individuals of age ranging from 40 to 70 years have been selected on the basis of physicians recommendation. Blood samples from these subjects will be used to obtain DNA, which will be sent to a national DNA database for analysis. Today, genetic resources are tradable goods. How the developing world should trade with this resource is currently under intense discussion. It is to be hoped that from within the myriad of complex issues associated with it, some mechanism will emerge, perhaps a new order for trading with unconventional resources such as human genetic biodiversity. Soon the Biodiversity Convention was adopted at the Earth Summit in 1992, the long awaited General Agreement on Tariff and Trade (GAAT) came in force in 1993. A significant clause in the Biodiversity Convention, which was included in the GAAT, relates to patenting of biological material. Global patent practice does not recognize simple discovery of life forms as an act of invention, because these life forms are the gift of nature. Emergence of genetic engineering made it possible to create novel genetic entities. This required many aspects of patent laws to be modified in different countries for commercial exploitation of the new inventions of genetic engineering. Slowly, genetically

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engineered organisms, also now called. However, genes in their native state in the organisms were still not patentable. But the notion began to change with the success of the genome sequencing efforts, which was initiated in the early 1990s. Article 35 of GATT provides patentability of genes of known function. So does the World Trade Organisation (WTO), the successor of GATT, that went further and granted patentability of genetic material of both known or unknown structure and function. The 35,000 genes in human and their numerous variants thus constitute a biological wealth of enormous value. Genes are responsible for both health and disease. Knowledge of disease-causing genes such as those related to cancer, and genes that confer resistance to diseases such as cholera, can provide valuable tools for treatment and prevention of many diseases. Change in base sequence in DNA causes genetic diversity. Since such changes are rare it is obvious that the larger and more heterogeneous is a human population, the greater will be the number of the changes in the genome. In humans, as opposed to microorganisms, these changes cannot be experimentally induced, but must be picked up from what nature has provided in the population. We certainly have this advantage, but in addition, we also have the advantage of large family data that are invaluable in genetic analysis. In western societies, both of these, that is, population diversity and large families are uncommon. Some countries of the world, therefore, have been enriching the human genetic biodiversity base through prudent immigration policy.

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The new premises that are developing of the human genome are very significant. Most developing countries are not fully aware of the promises that they hold. For us, an appreciation of these facts and measures to exploit these to our advantage ought to be critical in our long-term S&T and indeed national development policy. PROTECTION OF BIODIVERSITY It is widely believed that implementation of sovereign rights on biological resources would be in conflict with the trade globalization strategy. International collaboration in science and technology is essential for the poor countries, and sharing of biological material in such collaborations is unavoidable. Science is for sharing1 and sharing is of intrinsic value. The difficulty lies in the method of sharing. who Collaborating scientists from often obtain funding from industrialized countries

multinational companies directly but more often through indirect channels, such as governmental development agencies, are unwilling to enter into any profit sharing agreement with their developing country partners. Instead, the notion that drives such collaboration is that the benefits of the research will eventually come to the doorsteps of the poor countries in the form of

1. Sen, Amartya. 2002. The science of give and take. New Scientist, April 27, pp 51-52.

products and services. Developing country scientists value the scientific merit of the work, and consider the financial support received in this connection a sufficiently satisfying reward to

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justify the collaboration, and in the process transfer biological material often without record from most of the developing countries of the world. Potentially valuable wealth thus is lost. How can this be checked? This is an important regulatory issue currently being addressed by many developing countries. India has enacted several pieces of legislation that makes it mandatory for both bilateral exchange and exchange through individual collaborative research to be approved by appropriate national bodies. The laws in essence require foreign researchers using genetic material taken from India to ensure that any resulting technical advances as well as a share of the profit from the eventual exploitation of the material are returned back to India. The full benefit of such profit-sharing agreement will obviously depend on the honesty of individual scientists, a matter that can only be enhanced through provision of research incentives at home, and creation of awareness, awareness of a superior kind about our place on the planet and our obligations towards the motherland. Scientific societies can play an important role in awareness creation and motivation. For example, Indian Society for Human Genetics drew up guidelines calling for a ban on transport of whole blood, cell lines, DNA, skeleton and fossil samples without formal agreement approved by the government, and clearly specifying the objectives of the project and the anticipated scientific, material and economic benefits and the manner they are to be shared now and in the future. Genetic diversity of our people is a treasure for our people. Other countries are making good use of it, but our appreciation of this wealth is far from adequate. Mutant genes are

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indispensable tools in genetic research as they provide the only route to discovering new genes. Almost any gene that one can think of may have its mutant version in our population. Our scientists working in the biomedical area are poorly informed about this unique advantage that our large, heterogeneous, and highly inbreeding population offers to us. This is entirely because genetics has yet to make entry into our medical curriculum. As there are genes that can cause disease, there are also genes that can confer resistance to disease such as cholera, typhoid, hepatitis, tuberculosis, leprosy, AIDS and so on. In Kolkata, the National Institute for Cholera and Enteric Diseases have reported identification of genes that may be related to cholera-resistance. In our country, the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (ICDDR,B) is perhaps working along these lines as well, but so far no public revelation has come on any such discoveries. COLLABORATION WITH A HOME FACE Whatever is the potential resource of a country, its ultimate value depends on how it is used for public benefit. For example, natural gas lying underneath is our wealth, but it is of little value to us unless we have the technology to lift it. Today, nearly identical scenario characterizes the biological wealth of nations. It is important to appreciate that we have to share our wealth with the owners of technology in order to develop products that will give us economic benefits. Developing countries with large population provide suitable grounds for what has come to be known as gene hunting. The undertaking takes many forms among which a common mechanism is scientific collaboration where biological material is sent to foreign

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laboratories for studies for which we lack the necessary technology. These transfers often occur without any record, not to speak any formal agreement protecting our sovereign rights. Many countries of the region have participated in such collaborations in biotechnology in the past, and transferred vast quantities of biological material including plants, animals, insects and microbes. As we enter into business with genes, an example may be illuminating. Genes that may provide resistance to AIDS is the subject of an intellectual property right dispute in the USA. An individual recently gave his blood sample for routine genetic tests to a clinic in the USA. The clinic identified in his genome 10 gene sequences that may confer resistance to AIDS infection. The clinic, therefore, patented these genes as its own discovery. The blood donor in turn then set up a company to sell his blood samples for use in research by biotechnology companies thereby nullifying in effect the anticipated patent benefits of the clinic. A patent dispute ensued. In this case the dispute is within a nation and the countrys patent laws will perhaps settle it. If, however, the blood sample came from a person from an African country for instance, with proper record of the transfer and profit-sharing agreement, the issue would have to the settled in a different manner possibly to the advantage of the donor country True, we must collaborate with external laboratories since we do not have the necessary technology, but it must be done on a platform of mutual benefit. It is important to ensure that we collaborate, but in doing so, we should not give away our precious wealth. Our scientific collaboration must not only be done with a human face while we offer biological samples for

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the benefit of the humankind, but it must also carry a home face to bring benefit to our people. The flow of genetic material from the developing countries is quite a widespread phenomenon. It is not easy to control the flow or, in the case of plant material particularly, to establish sovereignty claims. A plant species is often of cosmopolitan distribution that makes it difficult to easily identify as to the place from where that particular material was obtained. In contrast, a human being anywhere in the world carries a precise legal address fixed to him or her by birth, and is thus a unique biological entity in the context of nationality. A legal claim on genetic material of man or woman is thus far easier to establish, if proper record of transfer is kept. The Government of Bangladesh has been considering legislation in respect of biodiversity conservation, but nearly a decade has passed just to produce a draft of two pieces of legislation, and that also on plant materials only. One is the Biodiversity and Community Knowledge Protection Act of Bangladesh and the Plant Varieties Act of Bangladesh. Among the important features of these pieces of draft legislation there is no reference to the sovereignty issue of our human genetic resources and their conservation. It is vital to realize that a person born and raised in Bangladesh is not only a citizen of Bangladesh but also a potential biological asset to the nation. On this issue unfortunately there is as yet no academic discussion within the biomedical sector. Most of our physicians are not exposed to recent scientific developments in the area due to inadequate medical curriculum

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where genetics, not to speak of human molecular genetics, is at best a topic of passing reference. Awareness creation on general societal issues, issues of environment, human rights, governance, etc. that are carried out by NGOs, and other voluntary organizations, is rapidly becoming a global phenomenon. Now a new type of awareness creation for conservation of our human genetic diversity and protection of the knowledge emanating from this wealth must be considered important. Here efforts have to be targeted to the scientists, physicians and the educated segment of the society who due to ignorance of the issue or due to professional enthusiasm, may trade with the wealth without ensuring protection. One may argue that since the target population, in this case scientists and physicians, is highly educated, and is able to judge and understand the problem, this awareness creation is unnecessary. But this is a mistaken notion. Gene hunting in different regions of the world is a highly rewarding professional adventure. Specific and targeted programs carried out by scholarly and scientific societies and NGOs must be developed for this special awareness, the superior awareness, to protect the living treasure of the nation before mass transfer erodes this important edge of advantage of the diversityrich third world countries. Legislation is thus an important pre-requisite. If there is legislation to ensure that transfer of biological material must be done under an agreement, then there may be some overt and some covert bypass events initially, but awareness creation and motivation will slowly decrease their incidence. The general culture of science has been historically based on shared knowledge, but today there are substantive academic and material incentives for scientists who are thinly disguised

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businessmen, as the Nobel Laureate in Economics Amartya Sen1 noted recently. These scientists may wish to tread along a track of financial gain, and give away for good valuable biological wealth in return of small personal profit. This would be a transient gain for a person, but a lasting loss for the nation. Awareness creation in these contexts, and enactment of proper legislation may indeed be the only route to protect our biological wealth. SEIZING OPPORTUNITIES For any significant long-term gains in the area of our advantage, that is, in creating skilled manpower, the S&T sector has to be activated not in a general manner, but in focused areas. We should do either basic research or applied research, but not the hybrid type in the same undertaking. Unfortunately, the latter dominates the S&T scene today in our country as exemplified by many ill-conceived R&D projects carried out by leading R&D institutions in the physical, biological and biomedical sectors without any tangible products or technologies having been developed after many decades of work. It is only in the field of

1. Sen, Amartya. 2002. The science of give and take. New Scientist, April 27, pp 51-52.

agriculture that has there been notable success in adaptive research and extension services carried out by R&D institutions

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working in the field, but innovative research, basic or applied, have been inadequate even in this sector. A strategic long-term S&T plan is essential for our survival. Our S&T thrust cannot afford to be a mere description of schemes, but must have priorities sharply defined. In human medicine, one such area has recently emerged as a consequence of the Human Genome Project. The enormous quantity of data on the human genome sequence and handling of the data, is already a nightmare to the specialists. This has given rise to new disciplines of science called Bioinformatics, and Computational Biology. Bioinformatics aims at developing computer tools and software for genome analysis, while computational biology focuses on studying genome function with the tools of bioinformatics. Today, by analysing sequence data with the tools of bioinformatics, a computational biologist can recreate complex functions or even the image of individuals in cyberspace. In essence thus bioinformatics and computational biology is a blend conventional information technology (IT) with DNA biology in its background. This sector, particularly the one related to biomedical sciences, deserves to be an S&T thrust sector. It should be pursued with aggressive zeal and manned by high caliber scientists. No new institution building is necessary for this work. Instead, existing institutions can be strengthened with trained and dedicated scientists and infrastructure. If properly done, this will be more productive than recourse to institution-building whose vision initially stretches no further than just raising the building itself, and acquisition of equipment, and before any significant work can be started, signs of fatigue caused by various constraints become apparent.

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A strong S&T base that may be created in this sector through proper planning will equip us to enter into external collaboration on a balanced footing. This sector is particularly relevant to our country context it is independent of land since most of its activities are based in cyberspace. Because of this, it has vast potentials to expand vertically in contrast to biotechnology that spreads only horizontally, where we have invested much over the past few decades with little gain. With the lowest land-man ratio, which is decimating at an alarming rate to approach the limit of the lands carrying capacity, the cyberspace is an option that we cannot not ignore. The intensely competitive IT business of the world today is more a business of the brain than of the finger; in the former our weak S&T base severely limits progress at this time. It is not possible to think of any long-term advantage in global IT without a strong S&T base. The nations IT guidelines, the ICT policy as we call it, ought to take cognizance of this fact. Admittedly, this limitation equally applies to bioinformatics and computational biology and has to be addressed by targeted S&T support. But unlike the IT sector, we have in bioinformatics the human biological advantage that is, we have a large and diverse population with genetic diversity that would self-propel future developments in the sector if our skill-creation strategy is properly executed, and of course, if we can protect our genetic resources. Selective thrust in S&T is imperative, but how it will be done is a matter for dispassionate discussion free from scientific and political activism, for which we may even consider

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parliamentary mandate, not just executive decisions. The matter is not just scientific pragmatism but, one of our survival.

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Thirteen

The University : Sliding Pivot of Research

Towards the end of the British rule the countrys first university, the University of Dhaka, was established in 1921. The University was modelled with respect to residence requirement of students, its administration and in its serene location after the Oxford University in England. The university established itself as a centre for excellence in the physical and mathematical sciences, history, literature and art. The famous physicist S. N. Bose who worked closely with Einstein, and Meghnad Saha who attained rare distinction in physics for many pioneering work, had their early scientific career based at this university. After partition of India when most of these scientists moved to India, an intellectual vacuum was created. It took us many years to reach just the fringes of recovery when a political turmoil befell us. It was the nations struggle for independence won through a bloody war. From the ruins of a war-torn nation, the shattered universities of the country made a move towards a new beginning. All over the world and at all times in history, the students had participated effectively and often successfully, in politically triggered movements. This they could do because of their ability to understand issues of collective good, and due to their large numbers under one institutional framework. They earned for themselves much glory, and received tributes from poets and

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politicians. Ghandi asked the students to enter into politics for freedom of India although many Indian leaders did not like this blanket appeal. Students on the campuses of America also rose against the Viet Nam War that enhanced the end of the war. Ghandis call had a special tone, love for the deprived, and opposition of Viet Nam war had special humanitarian appeal, and in both, the effectiveness of the students in turning the course of history was noteworthy, and received due recognition. But the issue of students in politics remained a matter of deep controversy; perhaps students were never in it. Historically, students of this part of the subcontinent had been an effective force in the struggle against colonial rule. In our case, students and have deeply etched our history with the glory of liberation. They inspired the people to fight for the motherland, and also themselves took up arms. These are examples of what the collective strength of people can do. But politicians tend to equate this phenomenon with politics in a blanket fashion. For the students, it was perhaps not politics. In this issue, one should dispassionately ask this question: do these acts represent politics, or could these better be described as examples of patriotism? Free thinkers proclaim the virtue of freedom of thought and speech as essential ingredients of university education. Many educationists add high values to politics in the university as a necessary condition growth of patriotism, democracy, and freethinking in the minds of the youth, but in this there seem to be a n undue mixing of politics with patriotism. Practice of democracy need not be independent of circumstances. The link between concept and its application

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cannot always be defined in a straightforward manner. In the family, the binding force has historically been the force of love, not a system of election. Size, structure, purpose and intellectual constitution of a community are important factors in the practice of democracy. Grand social experiments may fail if the relevant parameters are not properly defined. Patriotism need not be the product of politics. In love for self, love for children, parents, for homeland, there is no need to draw politics within its folds; the drawings for these are already engrained in human nature, and politics cannot inspire them any better. NEW NATION NEW CHANGES

An Act of Confusion
In 1972 a piece of legislation called the Bangladesh Act 1, probably the first Act of the new nation, was passed which formally brought all the state run universities under direct control of the government, and in 1973, the full-fledged University Act was passed that required the universities to conduct operation on the principles of democracy and through a system of election. The innate urge of our students to serve the nation was exploited after liberation war in an aberrant manner. The law gave democracy to the university administration. Certainly, it was done with good intention, but it lacked the crucial elements to produce good results. The virtue of a law lies not only in its good elements, but also in its ability to produce the desired effects. A good piece of legislation should have sufficient force within it to inspire the intended acts.

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The reason the law failed to deliver the anticipated good perhaps lies in the confusion between our way of doing politics, and our understanding of patriotism. Politics simply is the art or the science of government. It need not have high intellectual content in its practice, but certainly it must have deep moral precepts. A moral rule has to be self-imposed; one has to obey the rule of which he is the maker. This is the spirit of democracy. The university would teach lessons on democracy, and patriotism would emanate from these teachings, but the university need not run practical sessions on the functioning of democracy. The Act gave the opportunity for democracy to be practised first by its creators, the university. No one would argue against this view. Exercise of democracy is the right of all people, not to speak of the most enlightened, such as the university community. If the world were to be filled with intellectual giants, then democracy would perhaps be practised in a certain manner. They would perhaps refrain from campaigns that create division among people, and instead find a way election that would in essence be a selection, or a method of selection that would in effect look like election. And in this, there would be not be any disregard to democracy. This scenario may be far too idealistic, and obviously cannot be applied to ordinary people. But the community of university teachers does not represent ordinary people. They represent a rather small, and highly enlightened community where one could expect such exceptional things to happen. To an enlightened mind, establishing the right to vote is an act of virtue, holding the right in trust a sacred duty, and creating conditions that would make its application unnecessary, is glorious.

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The Act appealed to some people at that time, but as it was based on erroneous ideas, that many people felt that it would do much harm to the nation. The democratic rights were given to the university by the stroke of a pen, but we were not told that we might live and work happily in the university without standing in need to exercise this right. There are organisations, particularly scholarly organisations, all over the world with provision for elections in the charter, but election often times becomes unnecessary because the voting constituency nearly always can do the work by consensus. We were not taught that possession of the right is a sufficient reward for the enlightened minds, and ability to live without exercising the right is a virtue of superior order. The Act, however, did not draw the students into politics; students were not required to elect the principal of the college, or the Vice-Chancellor of the university. They were drawn into politics by the default of those for whom politics was mandatory. The Act required elections at four important levels of administration the office of the Vice-chancellor, the Dean of Faculties, members to the University Syndicate, and members to the University Senate. Teachers with an academic bent of mind, the senior and the scholarly ones, had little interest in those offices, as they disliked contesting elections. Those who found the system of election attractive, the activists and claimed defenders of democratic rights welcomed the system as they could walk easily along the twisted ropes of politics. Groups were soon formed within the university, which aligned themselves with national political parties. The linkage was informal but quite visible. Intergroup rivalry in disguise of competition surfaced that slowly

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percolated down to the process of recruitment of teachers, particularly at entry level where, as all good politicians know, proper selection gives lasting political returns. Lateral entry of good teachers at senior levels became almost impossible because such persons lacked qualities that are of value to the politicians, and were not thus supported by any group. Senior teachers with high academic credentials thereby became nearly barred from entering into the university, while simultaneously entry at junior level became easier for politically active teachers. These developments had all the elements of an impending erosion in the very foundation of the university. No law was perhaps enacted in Bangladesh with so much of good intention but delivered so little. It was assumed that the election process given to the top intellectual client of the country would add a new lustre to the academic climate. In effect, it produced quite the opposite, and signalled a grave intellectual decay in the making. Over three decades that have passed, opinion on how the system has been functioning does not vary much most people within the university and outside think that the law has done lasting harm to the university. But the Act cannot be inactivated, and it continues to exist despite the dislike of the vast majority of the people who have lived directly under the purview of the law for the three decades. This bizarre situation is again perhaps the consequence of democracy as commonly practised. The Act came by the activism of a few, it also perpetuates by the voice of a few. But as the Act carries democratic connotations of democracy, it tends to flourish under its shadows. Since democracy is virtuous, its perpetuation can be ensured by the voice of just a few. To abandon democracy,

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it would take the collective force of the vast majority. That force has not been forthcoming, and there are no signs that in the near future it would happen.

Populist Shift in University Education

After independence, we were led to the notion that student number should be increased in the universities in order to take higher education to the doorsteps of all. To increase the number without parallel increase in resources and without compromising with quality is certainly a difficult matter. Successive governments have justified in the past, and even do so now, the creation of new universities using various statistics, largely of convenience rather than objectivity. In Bangladesh, of the total number of youths in the age bracket of tertiary education, that is, between the age 18 and 25 years, only 6% get the opportunity of entering into tertiary educational institutions, such as colleges, to study bachelors, and masters level courses that are offered in the colleges, and the universities. The corresponding figures in India are 12%, in Thailand 27% and in Malaysia 36%. The 6% value in a large population with high birth rate can indeed produce a very large figure in terms of the actual number of individuals lying in the tertiary education window. The vast number of youths in this age bracket, about 15 million, is far too large for our economy to manage in a reasonable manner. But this 6% figure is not altogether bad because there are many countries in the world with socio-economic conditions similar to ours but far lower percentage of university enrolment. Of the 6% students in tertiary education institutions in Bangladesh, only one-tenth or 0.6% representing about 0.08% of

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countrys population, study at the universities. Whatever these figures might mean, these would be far removed from contexts unless related to parameters such as GDP, per capita income, and population size, etc. The table presented below provides some statistics on Bangladesh and a other countries.

Country

Population (million)

GDP US$

trillion

University* Enrolment

(Purchasing Power Parity) Australia 20 0.64 1,000,000 (5.00) Bangladesh 114 0.30 100,000 (0.08) Canada 30 1.07 800,000 (2.60) India 1000 3.68 9,500,000 (0.90) Indonesia 210 0.90 Not available

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Malaysia

23

0.25

275,000 (1.30)

Pakistan

160

0.38

362,000 (0.20)

N Zealand

1.00

70,000 (1.80)

Thailand

60

0.55

Not available

UK

60

1.86

2,000,000 (3.30)

USA

263

12.40

8,000,000 (3.30)

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The number of students in different institutions of tertiary education in Bangladesh are as follows: FORMAL UNIVERSITIES OF BANGLADESH State Universities Private Universities : : 100,000 50,000

NON-FORMAL UNIVERSITIES National University Colleges Open University 500,000 Madrasha : 200,000 : 800,000 :

Total

: 1,650,000

University

education

cannot

be

cheap,

as higher

education ought to be the privilege of the highly talented individuals and it can only be achieved at a cost. The purpose of the university is basically two to create professionals and achieve academic excellence. Relative emphasis on these may vary. Often it is the former that is favoured because of low cost, but the latter should not be neglected, as this would defeat the whole purpose of university education. Our low (0.08%) university enrollment as a fraction of population is often cited in support of higher enrolment in our universities against examples

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of 3% in the USA, 1.0 % in India and 0.2 % in Pakistan. Student performance in secondary education examinations is the usual criterion considered in university enrolment. But we may ask the question, those who are admitted into the universities every year, are they all suitable for university education? Answer to the question would be in the negative; indeed only a small fraction of those whom we admit actually deserve and possess the right aptitude to benefit from university education. But a large number gets entry because of a populist tone in enrolment, which is supported by the government perhaps as an act of prudent politics to enhance public image. In order to maintain excellence there cannot be any place for a populist tone in university education. The cost of university education has to be high if high standard is to be maintained. It is interesting to examine how costly is higher education in advanced countries in terms of indicators such as per capita income, fraction of family income spent per university-going child, and fraction of GDP spent on running the countrys universities. The GDP of Bangladesh is now about 75 billion in US dollars, or $ 300 billion purchasing power parity (PPP). Cost of operating the 23 state-run universities is about Tk 500 crores (year 2006 estimate) equivalent to $ 80 million, which is approximately 0.08% of the GDP of $ 75 billion. This amount is spent for over 100,000 students enrolled in the state run universities, excluding enrolment in Bangladesh Open University where student number is almost 500,000, and National University where also the number is nearly 800,000. In Bangladesh, the cost per student per year at university is approximately Tk 50,000 that is about a quarter of the annual income of an upper middle class family with five members. In the USA, the yearly cost of university education for one child is about

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$ 45,000 against an average middle class annual family income of about $ 75,000 for a family of four. The fraction of GDP spent on the universities of the country would also be interesting. The example of USA may be used to highlight the issue, as it will reflect the situation in many of the developed countries of the world. The GDP of USA is some 12 trillion dollars at present (year 2005 estimate). Estimates of total cost of operation of all the universities of the USA are not available, but one could get a rough idea. A top university, Harvard University for example, operates on a yearly budget of about $ 3 billion, and University of California approximately $ 5 billion. On this scale, one may assume that the top 25 universities of the USA might spend about 0.1 trillion dollars per year, and the entire university system of the nation perhaps ten times this figure. If these assumptions were reasonably close to actual figures then one would come to a cost figure of about $ 1 trillion per year for the entire university system of the USA, which will be about 10% of GDP. In any case, a conservative estimate of the cost the entire university system in the USA may well represent at 5% of GDP. In contrast, Bangladesh spends about 0.08%. Experts believe that for sectors like higher education the critical minimum resource allocation necessary for perceptible impact has to be in excess of 1% GDP. But we run our universities with 50 times less; this can only produce certificates with little or no quality. As science is international in scope, as much as knowledge is universal, all nations serious in university education should be prepared to spend comparable amounts of money to attain a standard that would match with the international standard.

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Many of the new state universities carry a new epithet. They are called science and technology university because spending under this head is more attractive to the people. These novel creations, although lacking in very basic infrastructure for S&T do nevertheless strongly project governments commitment to science and technology for improving the lot of the people. In many cases, colleges are converted to universities. Then there are the disturbing trends of expanding the existing universities with new science departments, and increasing the enrolment in different departments without matching increases in physical facilities and funding levels. The reason is, of course, the same a populist approach often under pressure of the politicians and patronisation of the government. The government in its pleasant mood understands the detrimental effects of all these acts, but soon it finds itself in no mood to interfere with the affairs of the university, which is autonomous. The prospect of science and technology development in the countrys state-run general universities thus is bleak at this time, as much as that of imparting good quality basic education in various science disciplines. Sadly, the universities have become a closed system bracketed by bright young teachers in perpetual readiness to leave the country, and a much smaller number of senior scholars who exist there just because of their love for it. Lying in between them is a large number of teachers whose work is etched with sectional politics, and poor academic dedication. It has been argued by some that higher education ought to be a privilege, rather than a right, and ought to be given to the most able1. The most able cannot be a bulk product as it is not the rule by which nature works, that is, the phenomenon of

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probability. The most able would obviously be located at the extreme right of a normal curve, but a populist policy of higher education would fatten the middle, and flatten the ends.

Birth of Private University

Towards the end of the 1980s the countrys state-run universities assumed a destructive face ready to destroy its very foundations. The universities turned into full-scale battlegrounds where rival factions employed their cadres and hired gunmen to face each other in professional battle plan using trenches and equipped with all the necessary gears and gadgets. The nation witnessed these events with awe; the world saw pictures of trench battles on sites where one would expect students in sober intellectual pursuits. At this critical time, some retired civil servants along with some educationists floated the idea of establishment of private universities along the lines of a small number of private universities in some developing countries such as India and Pakistan. They took the move on the basis of the stated purpose of catering to increased market demand for higher education, particularly in disciplines compatible to the emerging free

1. Shafee, A. 2003. Higher education: priorities and pitfalls. Proceedings of Second National Symposium on Science and Technology. Bangladesh Vision 2021. Ed. A. M. Harun ar Rashid. Bangladesh Academy of Sciences. pp 63-79.

market. The near-catastrophic situation of the public universities helped to mobilise popular support for this venture with cautious optimism. Many also saw in the private universities the

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important attribute of competition to the state universities. This the state universities perhaps needed at this time of crisis. There were no other means available to the nation to cover the trenches. It was hoped that private universities could put up at least a measure of psychological pressure on the state universities. One could argue, for example, that if a private university can stay open every working day of the year, the state universities should; if the former can make graduates in four years, why should the latter take seven years; if teachers of the former can stay away from politics, why those of the state universities cannot? These are legitimate questions, which the public universities will have to answer to the nation. The idea of privatisation of university education, however, was not extensively discussed within the academia. The government enacted a law in 1992, the Private University Act, by which the road to private sector university education was formally opened. Thus also opened an avenue for market competition within the university education system. The first private university was established in 1993, and by 1996 the number rose to 14. By 2005 the number of private universities became 52, plus one international university, which had various nomenclatural transformations over a short period of time such as Islamic Centre for Technical and Vocational Training and Research (ICTVTR), Islamic Institute of Technology (IIT), and now renamed as International University of Technology (IUT). However, during the years of rapid proliferation of private universities, the important issue of quality of education presented a dismal picture in these universities, similar to the state run universities. Most of these private universities started

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with poor infrastructure, inadequate teaching staff, little zeal for good education, but much of it for good business. Some universities were, indeed, so poor that they were no better than coaching centres housed in makeshift buildings. Allegations on the purely business-like operations of many private universities even turned into popular jokes; some universities were harboured beside posh restaurants, and some were sandwiched between floors where garment factories ran 24-hour work shifts. At present the private universities offer courses that have immediate market demand. Most of them generally place little emphasis on investment in anything other than improvised classrooms, and borrowed part-time teachers. Technical subjects that have been opened in some universities include computer software, architecture (which is given the name engineering), and some such subjects as pharmacy that largely trains students to be skilled sellers of drugs. As the major thrust of private universities is creating professionals, some private medical colleges and medical universities were also established to produce medical technologists to serve both the local needs, and the perceived demand abroad. There is little evidence at this time that any of the private universities will be interested in opening science subjects soon. As long as enrolment in the existing subjects remains high, and a satisfactory level of financial return is assured, there little incentive for investment in science subjects. Science departments has an initial capital cost required for making and equipping laboratories, which the private universities are not willing to incur at this time.

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This is not to say that the private universities should immediately open highly academic subjects on basic science, which will neither catch on enrolment nor will provide adequate financial returns. But there are many science subjects that have high market potentials. Subjects such as microbiology, biochemistry, biotechnology, etc. may be considered. But the university has to display, like any good business organisation, entrepreneurship and introduce these subjects to create conditions for future growth of the institution. This would in the course of a few years create a demand for their graduates in these subjects in both public and private sectors. But, the financiers of the private universities are guided by a strict consumption-oriented business strategy. The market must consume their product in the shortest possible time after its release and, no lag period is to be tolerated. The private universities are founded as non-profit bodies that seek to carry out an important social service. A foundation receives donation for creating the university from big businesses, banks and industrial establishments. The requirement of permanent campus for the university within five years of opening has been conveniently used by some private universities to acquire large quantities of prime land in or near Dhaka city. Over the years the land value has appreciated many folds but campus construction has dismally slow. If a university decides to shut up its doors it can lift very high price from the land. There is no strict monitoring for the academic, administrative, and legal parameters of the university. The University Grants Commission that has the mandatory role of overseeing the academic activity of private universities has very little in its power to do since the Ministry of Education exerts much influence in key decisions.

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How the future will shape the private universities is a matter of conjecture. The private universities, as much as they are providing the necessary challenge to the state universities, will not themselves be without challenge. This challenge will come from two fronts at different times. Initially, it will come from within the private university itself; it will have to be competitive in attracting students to stay functional. For this the university would offer attractive packages to students with considerable compromise with academic standard. And, further down the road, more genuine competition to excel other private universities with academic programmes of high standard, and ability to attract students from outside, may be necessary to stay in business. About the latter, one cannot be sure at this time how long it will take, because at present there are no indicators for this since very few of our private university graduates are exposed to international competition. Also, in future there may be competition from the state universities as well, since despite many shortcomings of the state universities, they still get the best talents and some universities may rise to the expected level of excellence. Obviously meeting these challenges would be less easy than founding universities. At present very little is invested by these universities in extra-academic infrastructure development, and co-curricular and corporate activity, but these are integral parts of a good education environment that cannot be left neglected. There are divergent views on the relative thrust that a university should place on imparting professional training to students on the one hand and, making creative individuals to enrich the reservoir of knowledge, on the other. A university has to strike a balance between these two functions. The university must be a place for free enquiry, and also be sensitive to societal

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obligations. Needless to say, the relative thrust will vary from time to time, in tune with the changing socio-economic circumstances, for which provision for necessary adjustments has to be a part of any long-term strategic plan.

Fourteen

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Premises of New Vision

Four premises could be considered in drawing new vision of our science and technology. These are, a composed approach to the problem, appreciation of the Darwinian perspectives in our context, nature and scope of scientific research, and science in a climate of free enterprise. SCIENCE CULTURE As the Greeks in ancient times could not have lived without the culture of free thinking, as people of the Middle Ages could not ignore the church, and as the eighteenth century people could not escape from the dominance of political thoughts in their life, humankind today cannot imagine existence without science. Science is creative work, expression of superior thoughts and beliefs. Science is cultivated for survival, and becomes a part of culture so as to maximise the benefits of science for society. Without a culture value to science, the practice and purpose would be greatly compromised. Understanding science is far more important today than it was at any other time in the past, because science can now change society much faster than at any other time in history.

The mindset of our scientist needs to be tuned with the realities of our life and society. As we approach the plateau in population growth by the end of the century, we also face monumental problems such as unprecedented population density,

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resource

scarcity,

high-level

social

entropy,

and

massive

poisoning of the environment. These would shape, on the one hand, the social architecture of the population, and on the other, the character of the physical environment. Poisoning of the environment will be unique and rapid; be unique in terms of pollution density affecting the entire nation, not only just the areas around factories and industrial units. These are the edges of limiting biology that cut through a massive population in the natures unique playground of experimentation. An in-depth understanding these facts would be an important element of our science culture. The quality of frank admission of lapses is not highly expressed in our culture, but this not without historical reasons. When the Abbasid caliphs moved their capital to Baghdad around the 750s, the city of Baghdad developed as a centre of scholars under the patronage of caliph Harun-ar-Rashid, and his enlightened son Al-Mamun. The successors of the Abbasids the Fatimids and the Ottomans also made significant contributions to science and philosophy. The renowned Muslim mathematicians Al-Battani and Al-Khwarizmi, flourished during this time. But the Muslims of this subcontinent became victims of historical vices, and fell back because of their geographical isolation. For this they paid dearly in their creative endeavours in arts, architecture, and in mathematics, the legacy of which persists in various forms. Imagined glory and overt pessimism led to a psychological confrontation that overshadowed important issues. We suffered even more than other parts of the subcontinent because of greater degree of isolation and underdevelopment. The scientific community became dull and

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decimated, loosing objectivity. Few scientists are now willing to think pragmatically about the impediments to science and technology development in the country. An undesirable consequence of this is rise of activism and fatalism. Scientific activism flourishes in proportion to the negative internal feedback from improper understanding of relevant issues. The culture of awards, and the manner it is practised is interesting. The value of awards declines in proportion to their number. The decline in value is compensated for by the politics of dispensation of these laurels. Today, even awards of some sort are seen to be created, not only by the government but also by autonomous bodies, social organisations, family trusts and memorial funds, and by some international bodies that publish poorly conceived yearbooks where the developing country scientists are selected for inclusion as the nations celebrity scientist by a questionable body of experts and through a system of evaluation that is equally questionable, often ridiculous. However, the selected scientist is offered an attractive citation parchment on payment of a couple of hundred dollars. Many scientists acquire this, which they view as an award of merit, and are frequently seen to make it news in local newspapers. Science culture is built by adherence to the purpose of science. In this highly specialised activity and only the highly specialised individuals can contribute best to its development. Activism, superfluity and verbosity would little serve the purpose of science. The profile of science is one of tranquillity, not of turbulence. RECKONING DARWINIAN BIOLOGY

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As we stand in this fast changing world, helplessly at times, we need not loose faith in destiny. Facts of biology are often cruel, but the pace of biology is slow. Humankind will continue live on this planet for quite a long time, despite cataclysmic changes, many of our making. Global warming is not a fancy, but a fact. We lift fossil fuel for our comfort, which was lying harmless deep inside the earth, and burn it for our comfort. Every drop of oil burnt produces heat, and we burn billions of barrels every day, round the year, year after year. The amount of heat produced must be dissipated as radiation. The earth does with amazing efficiency. However, the efficiency of the heat dissipation process is now declining due to increasing cover of gases emitted during burning of fossil fuel, the so-called greenhouse gases, which hinders radiation of heat. The quantity of reserve fossil fuel inside the Earth is large, and its lifting is relatively inexpensive compared to developing alternative sources of energy that would do work efficiently, and safely. We will do this someday, but over the intervening time, we are impatient. We want to do what is to be done now, not tomorrow. And, this can only be done by turning the harmless liquid into an ominous blanket of ruin. Scholars of human social biology warn us about the terrible consequences of rapid growth of the human population on this planet. The human species has chosen a dangerous course in procreation biology. All available resources of the planet are used for two purposes. One is war, and the other is increasing the number people to do the war. This seems to be the biological wisdom of the human species that represents the bulk of the human population. Procreation is favoured by biology, while efforts to the contrary are social, and are less favoured by biology. Biology at some stage would face competition, and many experts

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believe that population growth cannot continue in the present rate for much longer. Examples from other species that now live on this planet and those that are extinct, suggest that for the human species, continued increase in numbers would result in catastrophic collapse of the planet. Survival of the human species in a tolerable state beyond the present century seems very doubtful unless economies and religions of the world learn to take account of some facts of biology. Tolerable state denotes a plethora of conditions but increased number disproportionate to wealth will inevitably cause increased social entropy, the magnitude of which can only be reduced by more balanced distribution of wealth. This is, however, a complex process and is confounded by grouping of peoples along lines based on religion. These lines are increasingly becoming thicker. An appreciation of some facts of biology is particularly important for us. Our population density is perhaps the highest that any land mammal ever attained in the history of the planet. Its pitfalls are many, but there may be some gains as well if we can identify and exploit those potentially gainful areas with prudence. Facts of biology would predict something very dramatic for us. An example would be of interest. As noted before, demographers predict that by the end of the century, population growth curve will attain a plateau, as the effect of population momentum would end, concurrent with fertility decline. But it is possible, as trends that are now faintly perceptible, that we may not see a very pronounced plateau. This would happen if the institution of marriage ceases to be the vehicle for controlled procreation of the human population at the replacement level of fertility. The result will be a sudden depression in the procreative potential of men and women

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causing a decline in the growth curve without a pronounced a plateau. Darwinian biology predicts that population growth cannot be independent of the complex interaction of three factor resource, food and competition. Transformation of the human being into a human machine, stuck up in a technology web, seems to be a definite possibility of the future. The human machine admittedly will not need any family but only work, food, health support and pleasure. All of these would be built-in components within the technology web. Sadly, signs of such transformation are becoming visible in many countries, in some countries at a rather fast pace. In our country, the conditions for such transformation do prevail, and we should take due note of the possible changes that may come in the near future. If the institution of family becomes socially irrelevant, a scenario of no child or one child per family, and in many cases bypassing marriage into a no-family-no-child route to a happy life, may be in the making. The high population density and a transit from grinding poverty of a large a population may accelerate this psyche and bring dramatic transformations.

Biology of existence predicts that extreme scarcity of land would raise land prices to unprecedented levels, and laws concerning government control on land would largely be the writings on paper with little force of possession1. Rural land is appreciating in price at a fast pace due to improved communication and industrialisation. It would be increasingly difficult to implement laws against illegal ownership of land.

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SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH The premise on which scientific vision should rest has two aspects one is science of production, and the other science for knowledge. These two are admittedly related, but we should understand the nature of this relationship and avoid confusion. The science of production or applied science will admittedly be the preoccupation of the vast majority of the professionals in science. These will include a wide range of people technicians, technologists and working scientists in the laboratory. The working scientists would make the scaffold of the R&D institutions to which the end of the journey is the market, not from test tube to conical flask. Hence, realistic planning is critical. If the raw material for a technology is barely available in the country now, then why one would plan a technology spanning over a time frame of say 25 years, by which time the raw material will inevitably become the limiting factor for viability of the
1. Mahmud, Wahiduddin. 2002. Bangladesh Economy: Performance, Prospects and Challenges. In Bangladesh on the Threshold of the Twenty-First Century, Ed. A. M. Chowdhury and F. Alam, Asiatic Society of Bangladesh, pp. 598.

technology. Unfortunately, unrestrained zeal on the part of scientists in R&D institutions and universities severely masks the important distinction between the two levels of science. The consequence is that often the wheel is repeatedly rediscovered.

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The knowledge-creation aspect of science is distinct from science of production. The former flourishes in the highest seat of learning that a nation can afford the University. The universities in Bangladesh unfortunately are not in good health at this time. In this section some important issues are discussed on our university education. This section might appear at places redundant; it highlights certain imperatives that might bring changes for the better. Our vision of scientific research ought to be pragmatic with respect to the level at which we fix our attention. Our heritage of a scholarly past provides strong justification for pursuit of excellence in scientific research. But in the present circumstances our concern should be focused to certain important national contingencies. Very high quality basic research in science cannot be carried out in our universities and R&D institutions at this time because of various constraints. The R&D institutions may thus be developed as technology service centres open to the market needs. The government may allow the R&D institutions to undergo some sort of privatisation-transformation, that is, greater freedom to interact with the private sector and a requirement for income generation through this participation. The universities may also continue with its emphasis on training professionals in business and service sectors, skilled salespersons in specialised disciplines of the biomedical sciences and agriculture, and large population of lawyers. These do constitute important contributions of the university, but these would loose significance if the university neglects the vital purpose, that is, serving as centre for cultivation of knowledge and attainment of excellence.

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But for basic research, special mechanism would be required. Scientific research of fundamental nature must be of high standard. As this type of research does not carry potential for immediate application, it is usually disfavoured in many countries except in countries where the economy is so dynamic that it must be fed by high turnover of basic scientific information. Creating new centres under the title centre of excellence is widely favoured by our scientific community, but the issue is a serious one and deserves penetrating debate. A better course perhaps would be to enhance the capability of the existing institutions in specific areas based on the strength of the institution and turn them into centres of high quality scientific research. If dedicated centres of excellence are to be created, ideally some important contingencies should be defined. Firstly, they should be created with highly focused mandate, not holistic approach. Second, their number should be small. Third, these should be fully funded. If the government is the sponsor then these should be created by a special mechanism such as by an Act of the Parliament, so that the funding is both sufficient, and more importantly, sustained through the ripples and tremors of political change. Fourth, the centre should be internationalised with respect to its scientific programme and its administration. That is, the centre would be advised by an international advisory board to help with developing the scientific workplan of the centre and provide policy guidelines for selection and evaluation of its scientists. Such internationalisation is important but with one important contingency. That is, the government must nearly fully finance the centre for its core scientific and operational activities. In other words, the financial control of the centre should rest on the government, not on the international community.

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Some centres of excellence created along these lines are well known the International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP) in Trieste, Italy, the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) in New Delhi, India, and the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research Bangladesh (ICDDR,B) in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The first two are the outcome of UN patronisation, but these are now pursuing high quality research largely independent of UN funding. The Trieste Centre specialises in research in the physical sciences, mostly in theoretical physics and mathematics, while the New Delhi centre focuses on biological science. Italy provides a large share of funding for the Trieste centre, and India for the ICGEB. The ICDDR,B was created by an Act of Parliament of Bangladesh, and in its genesis and character in terms of funding, it is very different from the other two institutions. While the major share of funding for the Trieste and New Delhi centres come from the respective governments, ICDDR,B is empowered by the Act to freely receive funding from multilateral sources, a very significant deviation from the former two. Its scientific programme being entirely donor-driven, the centre has often drawn criticism to the effect that it serves mostly the interest of the multinational pharmaceutical companies. The issue of funding of such high quality research centres by the Bangladesh Government and a greater role of the government in operation of the centre is very important. This comes from lessons learnt from ICDDR,B. The ICDDR,B was created by the government of Bangladesh as an international centre for research but with authority to receive money from external sources for the entire operation of the centre. With full external funding that the centre had to secure made it necessary

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for the centre to tune its scientific programme with donor interest. This gradually required the centre to orient itself towards product development and product promotion type of work under the thin disguise of scientific research. In contrast, ICGEB is operated with financial support of the government of India. It was created under the patronage of the government of India, and was initially housed within a national institute, the famous National Institute of Immunology (NII). The government of India took the major financial responsibility for the centre. The result was that its research agenda were developed with full international participation of high calibre scientists, while largely the Indian scientists led its operation. The result was remarkable. The ICGEB was independent of donor support and the scientific work done there on plant genetic engineering is outstanding in quality and its research agenda is relevant to the interest of the third world countries. Admittedly, the cost of maintaining such centres of excellence would be high, many times more than that spent for other research institutions of the country, but if excellence is the issue there is no way to avoid the cost. We ought to appreciate that maintaining a truly high standing centre of excellence is not easy; even many rich countries cannot support such centres. If, however, the focus is very sharp, it might be possible to mange some centres with limited resources. The centre at Princeton where Einstein worked was called Centre for Advanced Study, which the university of Princeton operated. It was centre of excellence and it was not created to be grand in style so that the university could maintain from its own resources. As opposed to

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theoretical work in the physical sciences such as physics and mathematics, experimental work in both physical and biological sciences is so much more expensive that the cost of maintaining even one centre of excellence would be high for us. The purpose of a centre of excellence is to serve as a place for the best brains of the nation to work freely and carry out fundamental research and enrich the reservoir of human knowledge. A poor country thus faces the difficult question as to whether our resources would allow us to compete in these areas where only the giants tread. Creating centres in some sort and in some manner is not usually a difficult task in a situation of political activism; the problem is with their operation. We have seen that creation of such a centre in a particular discipline often sets the train on the move, and soon other disciplines also want such centres. No country in the world can hope to excel in all areas and the nations think-tank cannot be therefore over-crowded. The expressions centre of excellence and think-tank when used in a blanket fashion masks their true meaning. Realistically, experimental science today has become so heavily instrument-dependent and so fast moving that many top scientists of the developing countries express strong pessimism about the prospect creating and maintaining a truly high profile centre of excellence by a developing country. In fact, our own attempts in this respect have met with failure. Even India with a much stronger S&T base could not make any significant headway in basic research in science when measured in terms of scientific papers published in the two most outstanding science journals of the world, Nature published from UK and Science from the USA. This is admittedly due to the fact that todays science is heavily,

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although not of necessity, technology-dependent. Some scientists think that it has been made so by industrialized countries because they have unbeatable advantage at this time in technology. Over the past few decades, there has been no single publication in Nature reporting work carried out in the laboratories of the developing countries, including India, the famous Indian scientist .. Rao. Many top scientists of India are inclined to tone down highly competitive fundamental research in the experimental sciences. Instead, they view that the creative talents in science in the developing countries should rather be directed to areas where the scope for theoretical work, not dependent on high technology, is good, such as in mathematics and physics. So, should we then attempt to do what is possibly out of our reach to do in a reasonable manner at this time? Should we spend money creating excellent research centres to house our think-tank with little gain? This is a serious issue where scientists with pragmatic view must come forward to create an objective climate for frank debate. We must be prepared to do it someday as pressure of global pressure would require us to do so. FREE ENTERPRISE The rising tide of free enterprise boosting the latent power of individuals is a significant phenomenon, which should not be lost from our vision. All revolutions, social and scientific, have a specific pattern behind their genesis. Ideas bloom, the horizon of knowledge widens, thoughts mature, but all remain in a lull and disorderly state, until almost suddenly they assemble into a

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pattern that link them together a paradigm shift thus takes place, a revolution is born. The triumphant globalisation phenomenon has been possible by many revolutionary leaps, one of which is the communication technology. Views on globalisation differ according to the place of their origin. The view that generally comes from the poor countries has understandably a dissenting tone. The poor countries equate the system to a pattern of exploitation camouflaged by the doctrines that serve few a few at the cost of misery to the vast majority. To them, it usually means disproportionate accumulation of wealth in the hands of a few with power to dominate over the world. This accumulation is achieved by the support of global financial and social institutions, created and operated by the rich countries of the world at the expense of the labour of the poor. Labour in its various levels of skill and value addition capability, are abundant in the developing countries, which is exploited with little attention given to preserving their land and environment from pollution. But destruction of the environment is forced upon the poor countries as the rich countries want to keep their land, air and water free from this menace and thus prefer to relocate their industrial, manufacturing and agricultural activities to the poor countries. The poor countries cannot resist this because resistance would mean starvation and death for them and their children. The other view of globalisation, which is favoured by the rich countries, is that globalisation is a rational path to progress. The progress is seen to be achieved through free trade, integration of the world economies, exploiting the relative advantage of countries for common good for the vast majority, faster

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communication, economic and cultural reforms, dissemination of knowledge, enhanced mobility of labour and capital, and finally increased competition that would together turn the wheels of the system in a synergistic manner to bring benefit to the poor. The debate on globalisation, which is always charged with a blend of reason and passion, is not likely to fade. But quite independent of these controversies, one can see that the free enterprise system is based on a strong biological attribute that is universal in the living world that is, innate love for self. It is a social force that emanates from the very core of the individuals conscious existence. A human being would do the utmost under the right circumstances to protect and preserve the individual interest. All productive and creative potentials would be directed towards its fulfilment, while some parts of these would be directed towards more noble causes such as helping others after self interest has been tamed to some degree. A complex functional framework could develop through the blending of individualism and interdependence that would under a correct operational frame, might bring the intended results, the common good. Impact of these changes in the contexts of Bangladesh would be vast, and painful. Level of social entropy will rise as good education will be increasingly difficult to provide, and values will plunge. Corruption in its most perverse form will reign supreme in society, making the rule of law its worst casualty. When everybody breaks the law at every possible opportunity, and the law enforcing agents themselves commit the offence that they are supposed to prevent, the society has to take serious stock of the situation, if a transit to barbarism is to be avoided.

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Here a shift in our mental orientation would be necessary to understand the issue in our context. Indeed, there has be major shift in strategy of feeding the worlds nearly one-tenth of a trillion people that will live on this landmass that comprises Bangladesh by the end of the century. Free market will bring major shifts in world agriculture due to need and convenience. Agriculture is land-dependent; a resource, which is fast depleting in some parts of the world due to large number of people, while in some countries it is still abundant, and gains in potential value with every passing day. These areas will be the feeder of the future human population of the planet, while land constrained parts of the world will be the makers of things, large and small, by employing the skills of hands and working by a new version of the clock that does not recognize day and night as a valid compartmentalization the time. Bangladesh is fast turning into a manufacturing country producing goods and trading with these goods to create the wealth necessary for survival. Industrialised countries will relocate their technology in Bangladesh at a faster pace as outsourcing prospects gradually improve in the country. All of these would present us with a scenario that is difficult to fully comprehend at this time, but we should be ready to pluck the good that it might offer.

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Fifteen

Beyond the Fading Horizon

Doomsday predictions, and fading into fatalism are easy. One might have seen a fair share of the doomsday scenario in the preceding sections. But beyond a dark, dismal and dreary night there is a good morning in waiting. We must hope that it would be bright. Whatever shades of gloom may have overcast the horizon of our science and technology, however intimidating the

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crosscurrents are in the vast expanse of the problems, we have to assure ourselves that there are ways to navigate through the turbulence. We are in the middle of a distinctive socio-biological transition whose genesis lies on certain important elements such as large population, high population density and low material resource base. The large population is a resource, but it is at this time under great stress. The consequences of stress are many. Social scientists do recognise this phenomenon, which is manifested as uncontrollable and often inexplicable disarray in social order. Under these circumstances, certain instinctive weaknesses in human nature would surface to further add to the chaos. These weaknesses are transient and potentially correctible. We have to do our part to make that happen. Intense discussions on the maladies, and lengthy prescriptions for cure have been a luxury that we have long indulged in for long with little impunity. Perhaps focused thinking and clear vision can no more be evaded without risking penalty. Lying beyond the fading horizon of science and technology and the veil of decadence is hope for a better future. No people, and no species of living organisms can easily perish because the biological equation that governs the existence and evolution of life on this planet does not usually allow such catastrophic outcome. The demise of a species occurs through the slow process of organic evolution. Sudden destruction of a species is an extremely rare event and has happened in the planets history only a few times. We will continue to live, and rise with dignity obviously with an intervening lag period the length of which would be inversely proportional to the sharpness of our

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vision and the depth of our ingenuity with which we approach the coming days. The three important issues closely connected with rejuvenation of nations science and technology profiles are research at the universities, the strategic route to S&T planning, and private sector participation. THE CAMPUS No nation can survive with dignity without the capital of knowledge, knowledge to help make things by joining the bits and pieces together, and knowledge to create the bits and pieces themselves with increasing levels of sophistication. Together these two facets of knowledge comprise the nations science and technology platform, and no nation today can afford to neglect the pulpit of science and technology development, the university. Research to create new knowledge is the basic purpose of the university, which must of course go together with the other important purpose, that is, training professionals. Research is the only tool for creation of new knowledge in all disciplines of human inquiry science, humanities, liberal arts, and social sciences. Teaching is certainly an essential function of the university, but research creates the intellectual podium on which the foundation of successful teaching rests. In our universities, unfortunately, research has been worst victim of the changes that swept nation over the last few decades. Unless the university is able to create knowledge, which can only be achieved through research, it cannot deliver any good to the nation. It should be

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recognised that that research is the pulpit on which creativity rests. However, basic research is expensive as it has to be internationally competitive and one has to maintain very high standard matching with the advanced countries of the world. Clearly, this will not be possible for us now as the universities where the bulk of the basic research ought to be done are inadequately prepared for the work due to a variety of circumstances. The universities are poorly funded, and they have to support a large teaching staff and a student population that contributes little to the cost of the highest education received at the university. This situation worsens with time as new universities are created with little resource support. But for high quality scientific research, high-level financial support is essential. Thus, if the government considers any raise in the level of financial support, the question will not be raise by certain percentage of the present level of support, it would be several times the present level if the work is meant to be done properly. Understandably, the government is reluctant to do it because the path to such a serious undertaking is not clear. So a state of inertia prevails in fear of costly mistakes. Financial support to selected disciplines and selected institutions would not be an easy task either because the government does not have any mechanism by which the selection could be done without creating commotion. A nations science ate technology planning has to consider several aspects. Three are of particular importance. First, defining the universitys role in S&T in very specific terms; second, clearly

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developing the strategy of S&T development, and third, linking S&T with R&D in the context of private sector participation. These issues are by themselves important individually, but in the context of S&T these should be considered together and, integrated into a complex where each would largely loose individual identity but will be interdependent and feed one another. The greater is the degree of interdependence, the greater will the complex function efficiently and the faster will be wheel of S&T turn along the critical path of productivity. One possible approach to overcome this difficulty might be to create a blend in which basic research would be linked with technology development. That is, government funding for basic research would be contingent upon the technology part being able to draw private sector interest and R&D funding from the private sector and external sources. The elements of such a scheme that might produce fruits would be: research area to be highly selective, scientific merit of the project critically determined, and a mechanism of matching grant by the government to successful projects that draw funding from other sources. The problems of the university cannot be corrected as fast as they were created. Government funding of research projects based on a mechanism of matching grant in amounts several times higher than what would be obtained from other sources would automatically create a condition where grant applications and the sponsoring institutions would face a selection pressure. This pressure has to be matched by the scientific merit of the project. The project would be subjected to incisive review by internal and, if possible, external sources. As such research grants would be mostly awarded to the universities, it should also be a

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condition that the project carries a high quality Ph.D. degree component. Each Ph.D. student would receive a stipend equivalent to the salary and benefits that an Assistant Professor receives at entry. Also, it would be necessary to select scientists with talent and scholarly aptitude. These two qualities must go together, one without the other will not produce any good. Individuals with these qualities are to be found out through search, as it is done in universities abroad since people with qualities people are rather unskilled in exhibiting themselves. In general, tertiary education, university education in particular, is a victim of catastrophic confusion due to lack of defined path and realistic purpose. The institutions exist because their existence is easier than demise. The issue of academic standard in the university education has almost disappeared under the thick smoke of politics in public universities, and profit motives in private universities. The resulting ills that are corroding the foundations of the universities are often discussed freely with some sense of guilt but no serious desire for change. A total of 23 public universities now exist of which 16 are said to be actively operating with total number of students in excess of 100,000 and teachers totalling 5000, on a yearly operating budget of about Tk 500 crores, an amount is just one-tenth of what we earn by stitching garments. The private universities offer a measure of competition to the state universities in terms of politics-free environment, lack of session jam, and generally qualified teachers recruited on parttime employment mostly from public universities. But unlike the state-run universities, which are fully subsidised by the government, the private universities operate on a cost-recovery

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basis, and select for the relatively affluent section of the society. Worries are aired about quality of education in many private universities, but the drive to creating new private universities also continues. At present basic research in private universities cannot be expected to any significant extent. But some private universities may undertake technology-oriented programmes, and collaborate with the state universities in joint Ph.D. work that would open opportunities for some basic research under the umbrella of technology-oriented programmes. Slimming the campuses of the state-run universities is of utmost importance now. Without this no recovery would be possible. Reduction implies two things first, cessation of increase in enrolment, and then lowering enrolment in phases. These have to be done by raising the eligibility for admission. University will make the selection for entry only from the best 10 of the 100 eligible students. There is no justification for putting students with 95% marks and those with 50% marks together in the same basket and roll them together in the same admission test. Quality university education would require 1% GDP to be spent to university education in such a manner that the best 10% of our young talents get the most benefit from this significant amount of investment. This would raise standard of university education, and at the same time, a pressure will be created to divert our youths to technical education, a pressure that does not exist now due to easy entry procedures in the public universities. Easy entry into the public universities discourages creation of technical institutions in the private sector. The fear of the private sector is that after the universities have blotted up the top tiers of students

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through a relaxed system of admission, all that they can hope to get for their institutions are the mediocre students. Restricting university entry to only the outstanding students would channel the next best tiers of students to technical education. This shift is important, but as long as a populist tone prevails in university enrolment this would be difficult to achieve. We are passing through difficult times in a world in transition to globalisation. Many universities in the advanced countries are also facing problems. In recent times, a definite shift in the operational strategy of the university due largely to societal changes can be seen. Today expressions such as university in business are not just passing phrases, but they do cast reflections on realities all over the world. Many universities in the industrialised countries today face severe fund constraints because the government and the people see little value in disinterested science the science for the sake of knowledge with no relevance to practical needs. Since in most countries it is the taxpayer who runs the university, they want some value for their money in return. In order to raise funds many top universities are seen to open up campuses in developing countries that are in effect study centres. Many top universities worldwide are having to reorient their programs towards applied research with such force that has not been seen in the past. Admittedly, as the issue is one of survival rather than choice, the journey is bound to be painful. Very old centres of learning in the western world have fallen victims of these shifting crosscurrents, and despite debate on the imperatives of these changes, there is general agreement that in the present circumstances, there is no easy way out to circumvent the adverse effects of the painful phase of academic-business transition.

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S&T FROM THE REVERSE We have fallen into a web of confusion about scientific research, S&T and R&D. If we appreciate that the goal of S&T is to facilitate socio-economic development and the wealth building process of the nation then we may ask the question, what is the most important wealth-building tool available to us at this time? The question has been addressed in different perspectives at different times. At present, certain things ought to be clearly understood by us. The days of agriculture, the generous gift of the fertile delta, are perhaps gone because of highly unfavourable man to land ratio. It is not difficult to see that the country will be rapidly transformed into a manufacturing country, with industrial units set up all over the country. The vibrant manufacturing sector would obviously produce goods of modest value and our people will be turned into low cost an industrial production force. This scenario is real; other people would need our labour for the things they need for their comfort. In this business, we have to successfully compete with other countries. This brings us to an important imperative. The fact that technical skill creation at various levels in the value addition ladder is essential is no more a question for debate, the question is how fast we can do it, and in which way? The idea of turning our people into a high output labour force may not match with our mindset. But many countries have benefited from this in various ways. The example of Japan is illuminating. Analysts are of the opinion that after the World War I, Japan had no other way but to learn the art of copying that is, to make things with small changes in the process technology and

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adding enhanced technical improvements. This Japan did with superb skill, initially in industries such as chemicals and electronics, and later in many other areas. Today Japan is a skilled copy-making nation and provides a superb example of transformation of skill to very high value. This is Japans wealth today; this is likely to be the basis for wealth creation in many other countries of the world where land and other resources are limited. This is also the path where we do have an advantage and where we might indeed excel. Creation of technical skill should thus be the most important thrust area in S&T planning. But it must not be just skill creation with no defined purpose and divorced from the global contexts. In the past, our S&T plans lacked this focus; it was largely an exercise of lofty intentions and flambuoyant ideas. But how should we approach the matter of skill creation? This is a difficult issue because ideally it ought to involve partitioning of nations resources to both basic research, and applied research. Basic research is the progenitor of technology, but our advantage in basic research is limited at this time. So we might look at technology development from a different angle. Instead of debating on the relative value of basic and applied research we should instead concentrate our efforts to developing technical skill in areas of our advantage rapidly. Time available to us is short as the world is changing very fast so that what took a decade to happen, now happens in months. It would be illuminating to look into how the most advanced country of the world, the USA, started its science and technology development after they settled in the New World.

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History is quite clear on this matter. The Mayflower carried a human cargo of the most enterprising type of people. These people were the products of the conservative climate of Europe, but in the New World they found the taste of new freedom, which they blended with the vitality of the European Renaissance in science. The early settlers found vast quantities of wealth in the New World land, forest, and minerals and to these resources they applied the scientific knowledge that they brought from Europe. The blend was magical. It was possible due to one critically important element in their work. They put all their efforts to applied science, instead of basic research. They directly went into developing technology and making inventions. Historians believe there was perhaps expediency in this course of action. It resulted in a spate of inventions of practical value. The heyday of Yankee toolmakers produced automatic reapers, railroads and telegraph. One could say that machines were almost engraved into the American spirit. The American inventors brought miracles in solving technical problems, in developing a better electric bulb or a batter car engine. But in fundamental research where one does not know what he is actually looking for until he stumbles upon a problem, the American spirit was less perceptible. The great scientific revolutions in Europe spanning over several centuries produced giants Aristotle, Euclid, Galileo, Newton, Darwin, Mendel, Faraday, Bohr, and Einstein. The early settlers of the New World could not imagine to match with these giants; they stand in silent admiration of the intellectual supremacy of Europe in fundamental science but themselves decided to apply the European science to bring the best that their new wealth offered. For them thus the path was evidently simple.

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It was to ride on the shoulders of European giants in order to make things of practical value. As a culture of inventions developed, so did develop a culture of trading with skills. This led to protecting inventions as intellectual property. A patent law was passed in 1834 and a remarkable lineage of inventors and practical scientists grew over the years Franklin Roosevelt, Joseph Henry, Nathaniel Bowditch, Simon Newcomb, Benjamin Silliman, Asa Gray, Willard Gibbs, Thomas Edison, and George Eastman. The list grew with names like Millikan, Langmuir and Oppenheimer in physics, Morgan and Muller in genetics, Hale, Boade, Hubble and Shapley in astrophysics. Wealth grew in parallel. Henry Adams who is noted for his Law of Acceleration commented about the Americans of the future, the child of incalculable coal power, chemical power and radiating energya sort of God compared to any former creature of nature. Inventions led to development of marketable products, factories were readily made to produce them in bulk, and skilled salespeople were handy to sell the products for profit. The nations indigenous natural resources were sufficient to support initial growth of trade and wealth, but soon trade spread its wings outside, and a far robust wealth-building process began. America was destined to be the master of magnifying wealth with technical skill unmatched in human history. At this point they turned to basic research. Part of the vast wealth that inventions brought for the nation were then put to disinterested use, such as pursuit curiosity-driven science as opposed to production-oriented science, and thus began the era of

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basic research in America. Much of the idle wealth that the nation had created over the decades went into establishment of private universities and these became the centres of excellence in basic research, and also the powerhouse of applied knowledge to cater to the needs of markets of the world. Early settlers saw the vast land as their best asset. Creating institutions of higher education such as colleges and universities did not receive serious attention until after the civil war. Higher education in America during the early decades after the American Revolution had its own aberrations. The Americans created during this period hundreds of colleges in imitation of the European traditions but without vision and purpose. These institutions were created as a founding-mania, that is, creating the institutions became an act for which no justification was asked. As such they died as fast as they were born. At this point of time a gentleman by the name Jonathan Baldwin Turner came forward with a new vision and proposed creation of colleges with focus on agriculture to prepare farmers in their work. The colleges were conceived embodying the aristocratic tone of Oxford and Cambridge. Later, the Morrill Act signed in 1862 by President Abraham Lincoln provided land grants to states for colleges. All western states used this incentive to rapidly develop agricultural science and technology. The preponderance of talented scientists in agricultural sciences in the USA until the middle of the twentieth century owes much to this Act. It was agricultural science that produced the brightest scientists of the in America for the better part of the twentieth century.

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Slowly, the next logical stage was set in motion. Communities, religious denominations and private individuals came forward with their wealth in founding institutions of higher learning that included Vassar, Stanely, Carnegie, and Rockefeller. They gave their fortunes for the colleges and universities of America. The institutions that were founded at this time grew in a different political climate. They valued the democratic traditions of America, and developed on the belief that free competition is the proper route to economic development. Many of these institutions turned into excellent centres of learning creating both basic knowledge and knowledge with potentials for application. Today these events now show to the world the strength of democracy and market competition even in sublime matters such as intellectual pursuit. The share of famous prizes in science that are now won in large numbers by the Americans is due to this blend of basic science and its application. This perhaps is the secret of American success today in science and technology. Skill creation draws upon an important responsibility on the part of the scientists. The scientist must choose a small number of skills and push these through with sufficient force so that he stays ahead of the skill, not fall back. Skill of value emerges fast, and also disappears fast. If we take a long time to act on the skills created, we would risk leaving the skills behind as irrelevant. The world would not wait for us. Three technologies in recent years have dramatically influenced human thinking biotechnology, information technology and lately, nanotechnology. Only a very small number of developing countries have so far benefited from these technologies, particularly from biotechnology and information technology. For the vast majority of the developing

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countries of Asia, South America and Africa and even countries with their economies in transition, these technologies have only served as feel good factors. That is, these technologies were accepted within the academia and the research institutions as representing high profile intellectual activities. This obviously had been done in the hope that some good might eventually be brought to the society, but by and large these were seen more as technology lustre than anything of practical value. We did resort to this route as well, and like many other developing countries we also have failed so far to reap any significant benefits from biotechnology and information technology. The failure in these sectors is not due to any lack of talent, but for some very unfortunate circumstances of history that lead to our weak background in the basic sciences. This inadequacy would also influence our scores in the widely discussed nanotechnology, a new emerging technology in which machines operate at scales of a billionth of a meter, a nanometre. The technology would use nanoparticles, nanotubes, etc. to make machines that would use microscopic moving parts similar to molecular motors or machines found inside the living cells. Indeed, nanotechnology draws its moving force from the living system, and the technology would primarily be used in the living systems. Today there is evidence that a decoupling of energy and progress is in the making. Progress is a complex phenomenon that cannot be easily defined but most of us would like to think of it in terms of economic progress. The Law of Acceleration, which may be symbolised as a function of energy use, predicts that within the next couple of decades progress would come to an end, when the

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line depicting progress would show a bizarre property it would rise independent of the time axis, perhaps suggesting the decoupling. It took the humankind much energy, and many years to come to the present age of computers. Today, an entire librarys content of printed materials can be stored in small computers. If this is done and the library is kept in the Internet, there will be huge savings on the quantity of paper and everything that goes into the printing process including human energy. Work, defined as displacement of a certain mass to a certain distance overcoming a certain force of gravitation, requires a certain quantity of energy. Movement of goods across the globe requires huge energy to operate vehicles, move ships and fly planes. It follows that if the need for physical movement were reduced, much energy would be saved. Computer technology could reduce the necessity of physical movement of matter to a great extent without hindering progress, adding further to anticipated decoupling of energy and progress. Nanotechnology would come to influence this energywork equation quite significantly, but in which way it is going to do so and in which way it is going to affect us is not clear at this time. Nanotechnology might bring remarkable changes for the society energy on one hand, and progress on the other, may be less interdependent, producing a human society that is not easy to imagine. Much of the energy of our body is the result of efficient molecular machines operating at nanometre scale within the cell. The cells of an individual take the necessary ingredients for its functioning from the environment, they grow and differentiate and give the individual energy to do the work. How efficient is

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this matter-energy conversion process in the human body is not easy to determine, but in our large human population we do have an advantage in it at this time. The human brain needs relatively little energy for its own operation, but the brain causes huge amounts of work that the body carries out in the lifetime, a porter does more work than, for instance, a Victorian aristocrat in their respective life spans. But to keep the body in the manner it is over a time span of say 70 years the amount of total matter-energy expenditure may be similar for both. So we have to rapidly acquire skills in fingertip technologies such as computer technology, information technology, and nanotechnology. Development of these skills should be the thrust of the nations S&T program for the foreseeable future. This should be carried out through targeted funding and strong political will. This would be a difficult undertaking, as it would require austerity in basic research. This targeted funding of science in specific areas would have to be achieved at the expense of the alternative route to scientific education favoured by some, and driven by the notion that to get the best results from science for society, it is essential that scientific thinking is cultivated among all citizens. The issue before us is how to do the targeted S&T development and how much the government should involve itself in the matter and how much of it should be left to the private sector. The issue is difficult, and it should be carefully studied the sectors of skill development should be identified, and our capacity determined taking into consideration the very important question of time factor. The rapidity with which we develop the skill must match with the market dynamics. Would the

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government be in a position to better assess the matter than the people who are in actual work in the sector that is, the private sector? Given the manifold problems in governance at the backdrop of high-level social entropy, which is gaining in strength day by day, it is perhaps worthwhile to leave it to the private sector and allow its development in successive steps of increased sophistication of skill and increased value additions in the quickest possible time.

PRIVATE SECTOR S&T Separation of science from technology is considered by many to be an effective way to targeted thrust creation. We speak about thrust sectors, but have not yet considered this issue seriously. This separation if prudently introduced would create conditions for dedicated private sector to participate in the technology sector. In many countries of the world this route has been pursued with good results. Thus, the question deserves renewed consideration by us for participation of the private sector in technology development. This is not to be achieved through undue negligence to basic scientific research, which would under a different purview and would work better at this time in blend with technology as mentioned. We do not have any experience of technology

development exercise outside the state run institutions. The working relationship between institutions of basic research such as the universities, and the industry, is still incipient. It is perhaps unrealistic to think that under the prevailing circumstances that

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is, a highly over-burdened government structure with too many people to do too little available work, scarcity of resources, lack of any social security net, low motivation, and high level of corruption it would be possible to develop that aspect fast. It would certainly be developed in due course, but for the present we cannot neglect the time factor. If we agree that technical skill creation in areas of our relative advantage is the proper route to wealth creation for us at the present time, then we should give topmost priority to this in our agenda for action. We should immediately look for ways with courage and conviction about how to do it? Is it worthwhile to make investments in improving the existing R&D institutions for the intended technology leap? Perhaps not, as in the past such efforts had been made but with little success. This is due to incoherence in scientific perceptions on the part of the research institutions, needs of the R&D institutions, and courage of the entrepreneurs. There is no easy way to remove this imbalance quickly, but for speed of action is critical as the present becomes past today much faster than it happened at any other time in human history. This contingency is overwhelmingly real, and it is of utmost importance for us to take due note of it. While we look into our future, we ought to also focus on our strength. Our strength lies in labour, in skills of increasing value continually replenished by ingenuity of science and technology. This reality must not be lost from our vision. Landbased biologicals production such as crop, livestock, fisheries, cannot be sustained and thus cannot create the necessary wealth for us. In all of our agricultural biotechnology efforts we ought to take serious note of this contingency. The prospects are very real

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that all innovative agricultural products might be available form external markets at a price considerably less than our production cost. Agricultural activities, however, are to be maintained at a certain level over the foreseeable future but that in very different contexts such as alleviation of grinding poverty. Our efforts towards self-sufficiency in food for the projected 300 million people have to be directed with vigour as long as the capacity of the land supports the activity. Many factors including problems of governance would favour S&T development to be encouraged in the private sector. The private sector participation in the S&T may also include the tertiary education institutions such as the universities. Many people would think, not without justification, that the government has become far too large to effectively manage itself under the many challenging constraints. Nature limits size of things before the size turns disastrous, and this includes size of both individual organisms and social organisations. The government is an organism; its size would attain a limit before working efficiency would be optimised. Inefficiency is the progenitor of corruption, and corruption assumes its worst face when the inefficiency blends with the constraints of resource scarcity, and the biological contingency of population density. Private sector option in technology would thus be a worthwhile experiment for us to undertake as most other avenues have failed to give us good results. But for this a sound policy frame would be critical.

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Sixteen

Concluding Words
Humankind appears to be in a crisis, an emerging crisis of intellectualism. Vast amounts of human energy are now channelled to establish participation of the human population in a singular global production process called globalisation. As a people, we have to understand where our place is in this complex process. Science and technology in Bangladesh does not rest on firm grounds at this time. We have to rise and reckon the changing world in correct perspectives, and make the necessary adjustments in our thoughts and deeds. For a long time, we have viewed our science and technology with a degree of superfluity and complacence. This actually belies our strength. Cocksure certainties based on faulty notions and extraneous ideas have led us over the years almost to the brink of chaos. The harm done is

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great, but it will be fatal if we now fail to appreciate the emerging realities, realities that we have unduly ignored in the past. This realisation is far more important for us now than it was ever before, and the time in our hand is short. We have talents scientists, theorists, visionaries, pragmatists, philosophers, and activists to whom important matter cannot remain in oblivion for long. Humankind must have hope in the future. This hope must be held high despite many odds that confront us today, the facts that fundamental discoveries in science are no more forthcoming, and that human progress is possibly coming to an end. Human knowledge has many limitations; it cannot provide any solution to the deeper questions of human existence, and neither to the simpler questions of survival in a tolerable state. A tone of sadness and regret for all the human failings, a subdued rebellion, and indeed an implicit call for celebrations of the fragmented human self, are now important themes in modern philosophical discourses. These are in effect efforts to counter the confusions. Our cultural heritage should offer us a shield to survive through this turbulent time. This heritage is based on facts of history. We possess a culture of asking questions, a culture of assigning value to freedom, and a culture of courting sacrifice for superior attainments. The culture of working without questioning may be productive, but cannot be intellectually stimulating. In Japan1, China and many developing countries of Asia, asking questions is regarded as an aberrant behaviour. In the continent of Africa, many countries are just emerging from the shield of protracted isolation. Productive human interactions in Latin America have been impeded by the vastness of the country and

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small population. Our history bears superior antecedents reflecting the virtues of faith and courage, which we should nourish with pride. In the chaos of a lawless society where unfortunately we live today, the path for the scientist would be tortuous, and remedies difficult.
1. Yamada, H. 1990. Breaking the Mould. In: The Discipline of Curiosity. Eds J. Groen, E. Smit and J. Eijsvoogel. Elsevier Science Publishers, Amsterdam.

PROTOTYPE S&T The talented people of the nation scientists, planners and visionaries have to rise to a solemn call, a call for analysis of our issues in our way and with our wisdom, dispassionately and pragmatically, with courage and dedication. The call should not be one of flambuoyant ideas or high-tone ideals, but one that should address simple questions analysed in correct contexts using the best tools available, and as incisively as possible. It is important that we address long-term issues as seriously as we address short-term planning. These need not militate against one another. The two processes are different in character, the latter requiring more analytical inputs for its development. It is the responsibility of the intellectual class to bring into focus the special attributes of the long-term issues in the planning process.

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Long-term exercises are not trivial as some might like to think. In fact these often determine the effectiveness of short-term work. As such these must not be neglected on the passing premise that since long-term issues are inherently unpredictable, they deserve little merit for serious attention. Such an attitude is detrimental and must be effectively countered. In this matter, the scientists have an important role to play. That role is one of creating awareness about the realities in which we might have to live fifty or a hundred years from now, and for that what should be the course of our action. Perhaps, short-term planners believe that the course would be self-driven, drawing on the leads obtained from the short-term exercises, but this is a mistake. Apathy to long-term planning is perhaps an endemic ailment widely prevalent in many sections of the society in many developing countries of the world. The scientists ought to rise and address the issue from balanced perspectives. An important exercise that we might consider to undertake would be to obtain as accurately as possible values for the most critical parameters pertaining to development. For instance, search for possible scenarios in various socio-economic sectors fifty years from now, when the population would stabilise at twice its present level, at over a quarter of a billion individuals. With this population-doubling in view, we could develop models adjusting the variables, to create possible scenarios that could be helpful in appropriate course of action. If we can do it well it would produce a computer game approach that all could play some for fun, some to learn. This sort of approach would help us to know ourselves better, and might eventually become a good operating system for us in all matters of interest. In a globalised

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world not knowing others might be hazardous, not knowing self would be catastrophic. The critical support that this approach would require is a strong science and technology policy. The present policy has to be re-written to remove the many of the inadequacies it contains and to infuse a more pragmatic tone into it. Above all, law must back the policy; the policy must have the Parliamentary mandate. It must not be just one of over a dozen national policies that have been written for various sectors with much zeal, but little vision, and have been given the seal of approval by the cabinet. Such policies do not indicate serious business, as the issues cannot be put to legal test as to compliance because these are not enacted by the Parliament. The challenge of accurate calculation in a long-term perspective has to be admitted by all. Could we project, for instance, what will be the density, type and distribution of industrial units in the country fifty years from now? How much agricultural land would we loose to industrialisation, and at what rate? After the population stabilises at 300 million, how much land will be land will be available for tillage after maximal reclamation of marginal lands? How best we can raise the vertical productivity of the land? This issue has now three dimensions yield, per unit time, per unit land area? What should be our best route to land saving for its maximal utilisation in economic activity, from pollution and non-economic activities? Can we grow the required quantity of cereals to feed 300 million people the maximal levels of management inputs on the available land?

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Many of these questions can be precisely answered. If we have the accurate answers to these questions, our development strategy would be one; if not, it would be lead us in wrong directions. Our strategy should be based on things that we can do with some effort, and we should be able to see clearly what we cannot do even with maximal effort. That is, biological realism pertaining to pressure of a huge population on small a landmass ought to be critically evaluated. We cannot stop loss of land to human settlement, we can only try to minimise it. We cannot force trees to grow under the shade of other trees, we can only grow plants in a planned manner to maximise growth of all plants and not raise a population of sick trees in huge numbers. We cannot, for instance, stop the natural process of filling of the haors by humus build-up resulting from high-level organic matter accumulation from surrounding areas of high-level human population activities, we should only realistically plan for the best use of the raised wetland, and not expend resources to keep them as wet as some of us may wish. That is common-sense biology! In the wide panorama of the nations socio economic activities, the S&T sector is really quite small. Indeed most people outside the scientific community are quite indifferent about S&T. Economic indicators such as rise in GDP, decline in infant mortality, falling birth rate, poverty reduction etc., would increasingly show better performance even in an atmosphere of relative stagnancy in S&T activities. We may not resist rock culture, we may not stop cultural reforms along the lines of the West, but these will not destroy our language and our culture. Culture is heavy and needs strong force to dislodge.

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Many would look at S&T efforts with a dull eye as they see little hope to benefit from this in the near future. But this is completely wrong. This perception of S&T is potentially very damaging for the nation, and it is where the scientists must come forward with a means to link S&T with the crosscurrents of the market. It is not a passing issue, the scientists must produce gadgets of comfort for the common people, and at the same time pursue pure knowledge, as without this a sustained level of comfort would be difficult to ensure. That S&T has so far given little to the people is not the fault of S&T, the fault was with our method of pursuing S&T. In an open world, there will be progress in some mode and manner in all countries of the world. With a pragmatic S&T workplan in the process, the progress will be of tone, without it would be of quite a different tone. Our S&T vision must resonate with global socio-economic panorama. Our focus must be sharp. Today many of us, scientists included, talk about Bangladesh turning into a manufacturing country, but do we clearly understand what exactly this transformation entails? Manufacturing in a setting of no raw material would be a labourintensive affair where S&T ought to answer to some key questions clearly so as to maximise the value of labour through input of S&T skills. SEPARATE SCIENCE POLICY Here we have to address the important issue separating science from technology. Should we have a policy adorned with the sublime view of science, or we should formally separate science from technology? The separation of basic science and

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applied science need not be based on any intrinsic distinctiveness of the two, but as an operational convenience. Should we consider two science policies, one for basic science and one for applied science? Our experience from the past suggests that blending of science with technology, or of basic science with applied science has added to confusion at the cost of focus. We do hear now a days some scientists talking about focus, but with little appreciation of the underlying basis. Applied science must have three elements target, time, and trade-value of the product the triple T recipe. The target of the work should be precisely defined, it should be reached in the shortest possible time, and the effort ought to result in a tradable product. Most of the research laboratories in the country should orient their work along these lines, and these elements must be meticulously enforced. This is the place where the private sector may be expected to find the promise they want. Basic research institutions, in contrast, would be few and these should be fully supported by the government. The major purpose of these institutions would be to carry out fundamental research in areas where our scientists would make their presence felt by the giants working in the field. This would thus help maintain an intellectual linkage with the world. Applied research scientists are not scientists with any lesser intellectual ability. There is plenty of scope for highly innovative work in applied science requiring high order talent. Scientists at the basic research institutes, so called centres of excellence, ought to be different largely in vision and aptitude. Their distinctiveness would only lie in the work they prefer to do,

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and the manner they want it to be done, not in any intrinsic difference in the work itself. Two separate policies, one for science and one for technology, would enable us to understand in more clear terms the scientific agenda of the nation, and allow us to develop a clearer road map for its implementation. Writing a science and technology policy is difficult, writing two separate policies would perhaps be more difficult as here one has to be more precise in determining priorities and paths. The potential benefits of this separation would be considerable for a time, as this separation would not be permanent. At some point of time, these two would merge in order to be productive. The applied science policy would address much of what the market wants and would help to create wealth for the nation, and basic science policy would help scientific lustre of the nation through generation of basic knowledge, a bit of which may in the course of time roll into the domain of application. This has traditionally been the trail between basic research and applied research, but for us it is particularly important that we clearly understand the basis and the contexts for a formal separation for a time, so that major errors are avoided. Eventually, the formal separation of science and

technology would become less relevant as it is the case with the developed countries of the world where these are already operationally separated by the market without the regulatory intervention of the government. In institutions of applied science, a scientist is never barred from doing basic research. On the contrary they are encouraged to do so, but without compromising with the mandatory triple T recipe. If a scientist develops a novel

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substance simultaneously with developing a better blend of drug or better bitumen for our roads, the scientist would deserve laurels. Politicians keep up the independence of nation by motivating its people to stay together. Manufacturing builds wealth of the nation using peoples productive capacity. Business determines the velocity of money. In this relatively simple operation, distortions might occur when the politicians fail to keep people together, industry turns into a labour-contracting instrument, and business creates social stratification. In this triangle, one can imagine an extra element. This is raising the value of labour, which must be a continual process, and that can only be done through science. A science and technology policy specifically dedicated to applied research would make this easier to happen. Human knowledge continually adds value to matter that makes up the planet. This is how the wealth of the planet is increases. In this effort, human folly creates something undesirable, that is, inequality. The ultimate value of wealth lies in sharing the wealth in a reasonable manner within the humankind. Although a reasonable expectation, it is perhaps still a distant mirage for humankind. However, we must hope that it is not beyond human reach. An enlightened person owning huge wealth would at times in his life feel the pinch of inequality in society, a moral rebellion. We must hope that someday that enlightenment might come to humans. There are species on this planet with traits more humble than ours. Historically the culture of science has been one of sharing but today science is not an innocent bystander in social the inequality. Scientists who are thinly disguised businessmen1

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are not imagined entities, but are important in the wealthbuilding process of a nation. In S&T thus the market factor cannot be ignored by S&T in the modern world. Facts of biology are not difficult to understand, as there is not much counting needed, no equations to be balanced, and no abstract doctrines to be deciphered. It is important for us that we understand biological realism in the context of our country. At this time and under the current global order, our advantage lies in producing goods, most of it sitting where we are as technology would make it possible. Our survival in a reasonable state would depend on how best we use this advantage, that is, how fast we

1. Sen, Amartya. 2002. The science of give and take. New Scientist, April 27, pp 51- 52.

raise the value of our labour. We cannot create land, but we can lift the labour of our hands to great heights. This is the reality, not imagination, which we should read correctly in order to avoid costly mistakes. We are poised for rapidly turning into a manufacturing country, and we should maximise our competitive edge in the global market? We should also remember two other factors that

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are closely connected to the density factor I have mentioned. These are the time factor, and the number factor. We should not discover the right kind of agricultural biotechnology only after the agricultural land has been lost, and when we compare ourselves with other countries of the world we should not forget our number factor. Our immediate path of action is relatively independent of the doldrums of international politics, and there is no harm in maximising our advantages to the highest levels. The less are the mistakes we make here, the better it would be for our future. Our advantage of large number is not likely to disappear soon. Although the progress of humankind measured in terms of energy use might be directed towards living the best with the least amount of work done, it is unlikely that this would be attained easily. Private sector S&T is an important issue to consider. Free market is a reality to be reckoned. It will evolve, but it may not be free from the supposed evils of socialism. Socialism is widely condemned as a killer of creativity that starves the system of knowledge and brings ruin from within, a limitation from which the free market may not be completely immune. Many R&D institutions are now seen to be eager to participate in advanced degree- awarding undertakings under affiliation form sate-run universities. If this eagerness means efforts to secure opportunity for serious scientific work, it would certainly be of merit, and ways should then be considered which would exploit this in a productive manner. Degree awarding interest perhaps is sign of frustration resulting from lack of challenge for the active minds in their work and career. In this purely academic matter these institutions have, however, a

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disadvantage. They cannot, however, provide the teaching climate of a campus. But they can participate in research, perhaps in a better manner than the universities at this time because they are free from the political doldrums that the state universities cannot escape now. Some of these R&D institutions are quite well equipped in terms of scientific instruments, library and Internet facilities, and generally have a strong scientific workforce. These are the material assets that could be put to good use in S&T activities through a redrawn operating strategy. That strategy could involve the private universities in focused S&T activities. The private university would support S&T projects of their preference, pay an overhead to the sponsoring institution, and work out a plan that would motivate participants in the research project.

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In the USA, basic scientific research has been largely the contribution of immigrant scientists who came to this land of opportunity from all over the world. This flow would be curtailed for a variety of reasons. The Nobel glory now frequently goes not to discoveries in basic science, but to application oriented knowledge that increases material comfort and augments the market. This curtails creativity, and the creativity curtailment element now highlighted in socialism may also invade with a time lag it comes early in socialism, a little delayed in capitalism. Thus, while most of our scientific efforts should be directed to wealth creation activities through value addition to skills, a part of the effort must also be given to science that would cause empowerment. To achieve even a tiny fraction of that empowerment would not be trivial for us. Science is never a perfectly practised art anywhere in the world; it is neither possible nor perhaps necessary to do so. To the ordinary people, much of what goes under the seal of science carries little meaning in practical terms. What they would like to see is the substance of the science. This substance must have one critical ingredient it must

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empower the nation to successfully compete in the Darwinian struggle. Only a fraction of the huge effort that a nation expends for science finally gives that power. That must be identified. That is, of course, knowledge. This is the ultimate source of power that can only be gained through the work of the most able few whose nurturing in a meaningful manner is a formidable challenge today for all countries of the world, rich and poor alike. For us it is not an easy task to develop a strategy for nurturing the gifted few, perhaps it is even difficult to identify those properly. Their number would be small, and they ought to be provided with the very best that the nation can afford. A general science policy, that is, one policy putting S&T and basic science in one basket, may not make this task easy. But if this task is considered to be of any merit at this time, this must be done; if it is little relevance now we ought to wait for the right time to come. Forecasting gloom is not an end; it is a means to appreciate the end better. The destiny of a biological species is not destruction of the species, but rather it is evolution of the species in directions that biology would determine. A species, for instance we the Homo sapiens, is the product of a process, which by its very nature bestows an advantage of number to the species. Species arise due to a superior survival advantage, and hence is the associated advantage of high number. Smaller populations within a species, such as the population of a country, also benefits from the numerical advantage. Sudden extinction of a species is a rare phenomenon; it happened in the history of the planet only a few times. We as a people are not destined to perish. We would flourish and our large number and high density might facilitate this process. The advantage of number would fail us. It is here that we place our hope; it is from here that we move towards the

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needed transformations, and despite many doomsday scenarios that we see today, we shall rise up how soon and in what architecture are matters that belong to the future.

** In this honest zeal to excel, we often hear about centres for excellence for the talents to tread freely in their world of freethinking. No doubt centres for excellence are desirable but the difficult issue is how to attain the expected state of excellence? In the past, centres were created some of which are described as centres for excellence, but none could attain the expected lustre. One possible answer for this failure could perhaps be looked for at the backdrop of the generally poor level of scientific activity in the country, which created a situation in which these centres did not face enough challenge from within to attain a high level of scientific stature. Lack of challenge is a good recipe for decay, which unfortunately might have happened in all of our scientific institutions. But the question is, how to infuse the needed challenge? Internationalisation of institution through some mechanism may be one possible route but this must be properly done, not in the manner by which we have created the countrys first and lone international research centre mandated by the Parliament in the biomedical fieldthe International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (ICDDR,B). The ICDDR,B was perhaps too hastily created where Bangladesh government retained little financial control over the operation of the centre. This created

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many operational problems later. Many who had been associated with this organisation, Bangladeshi scientists in particular, believe that a centre for excellence created by the government should also be adequately and effectively funded by the government and its operation entrusted with an international body as to its scientific programme and administrative management. If we are unable to do this at this time and in this manner in order to infuse the necessary challenge within it, we ought to pause for a while and find out first the mechanism of how to operate it before we commit our energy and resources to the task. A centre for excellence ought to be one for excellence of knowledge, not of ordinary skills; one of superior talents, not of populist tone as we see the case with our centres of higher learning today!

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