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Muslim states sets scene for
science boost
Researchers at the Textile Institute of Pakistan Wagdy
Sawahel A report released this week has identified steps that the
Organization of the Islamic Conference should take to reform its member
nations' science and technology sectors. The report was prepared by the OIC's Commission of
Eminent Persons, a group of leading intellectuals from 17 of the 57 OIC
nations, asked to prepare a strategy for Islamic countries to "meet the
challenges of the 21st century". The commission said Muslim countries suffer from a low
level of research and development, a poor educational system, and a shortage of
creative and innovative ideas. Many OIC member nations have small scientific communities
and poor-quality universities. Although the countries have nearly a quarter of
the world's population, they have only one per cent of its scientists, who
contribute barely 0.1 per cent of the world's original research discoveries
each year. A 'consortium for higher education' would, says the
commission, help promote scientific research and provide academic opportunities
for Muslim students who have been unable to pursue higher education in Western
institutions since the events of 11 September 2001. Hassan Abdel Aal Moawad, professor of microbial
biotechnology at Egypt's National Research Center, says that since 11 September
2001, growing US visa restrictions have stifled scientific exchange, training
and education in areas such as nuclear sciences and biotechnology. Restrictions on export of 'dual use' that could be used
for military applications, scientific equipment and a decline in financial
support and scientific collaboration from the West have also damaged science in
Muslim countries. The commission says a consortium could provide Muslim
science and technology institutions with services that help expand educational
opportunities, promote quality and efficiency of academic courses, and improve
faculty development, institutional operations and community outreach. It would also act as an external resource in creating a
collaborative environment that inspires member institutions to develop and
implement innovative and practical ideas. The commission also urged the Muslim world to invest more
in both education and research and development. Muslim countries spend, on
average, less than 0.5 per cent of their gross domestic product on research and
development each year, compared with 2-4 per cent spent by industrialised
countries. The report's other recommendations included enhancing the
exchange of technologies between OIC countries, and integrating modern science
and technology, and information and communication technologies into Islamic
educational institutions. Muslim countries would also benefit from technology
transfer from, and scientific collaboration with, non-OIC Asian countries, says
the commission. The commission met in January in Putrajaya, Malaysia, and
in May in Islamabad, Pakistan, to finalise its recommendations. These will be submitted in
September to an OIC conference that will prepare a ten-year strategy for the
future development of Islamic countries. The strategy will be approved at an
OIC summit in Mecca, Saudi Arabia in November. http://www.scidev.net/News/index.cfm?fuseaction=readNews&itemid=2210&language=1 |
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