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Universities to play larger role in local research
published: Wednesday | August 16, 2006
Merline Bardowell, executive director of the National Commission on Science and Technology. - Contributed
Universities in Jamaica have been challenged to play a more practical role in applying knowledge in ways that can contribute to the development of the country. In making the suggestion, the executive director of the National Commission on Science and Technology (NCST), Merline Bardowell, said tertiary institutions, for example, could assist in identifying social and production problems and offer possible solutions.
Her comments were part of an address on the importance of research in national, regional and global development at the recent opening of the Northern Caribbean University's Research Resource Centre, in Mandeville, Manchester.
Local research
Mrs. Bardowell said members of the research and development (R&D) community had a responsibility to ensure that research reflected local needs. However, she felt that the research results could only be useful, especially if they were relevant to the needs of industry and if the requisite endogenous capacity, including human resources, were in place to implement not only local, but external R&D solutions.
Referring to the Government's present allocation of 0.3 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to research and development, she called for an increase in this allocation in light of the two to four per cent provided in developed economics. She also urged researchers to make use of the Tax Incentive Scheme and the Technology Investment Fund, administered by the NCST.
Science and innovation
Mrs. Bardowell said: "Links between science and innovation should be strengthened. Such partnerships, done through, for example, public and private research networks, research contracts, joint publications and mobility of students between universities and industry provide not only a means for the transfer of economically useful knowledge efficiently, facilitate industry's uptake and commercialisation of public sector and university research results, ensure that research is attuned to social and economic problems, but advances the training in skills required by industry and facilitate spin-off firms - a common strategy in North America."
According to the NCST executive director, the science system should not be considered isolated from society and the public should see science as a necessary and a positive contributor to nation building, as was the case after the Second World War. She said science and technology - is an important driver of innovation, sustainable economic growth and social well-being in the global and knowledge-based economy.
published: Wednesday | August 16, 2006
Merline Bardowell, executive director of the National Commission on Science and Technology. - Contributed
Universities in Jamaica have been challenged to play a more practical role in applying knowledge in ways that can contribute to the development of the country. In making the suggestion, the executive director of the National Commission on Science and Technology (NCST), Merline Bardowell, said tertiary institutions, for example, could assist in identifying social and production problems and offer possible solutions.
Her comments were part of an address on the importance of research in national, regional and global development at the recent opening of the Northern Caribbean University's Research Resource Centre, in Mandeville, Manchester.
Local research
Mrs. Bardowell said members of the research and development (R&D) community had a responsibility to ensure that research reflected local needs. However, she felt that the research results could only be useful, especially if they were relevant to the needs of industry and if the requisite endogenous capacity, including human resources, were in place to implement not only local, but external R&D solutions.
Referring to the Government's present allocation of 0.3 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to research and development, she called for an increase in this allocation in light of the two to four per cent provided in developed economics. She also urged researchers to make use of the Tax Incentive Scheme and the Technology Investment Fund, administered by the NCST.
Science and innovation
Mrs. Bardowell said: "Links between science and innovation should be strengthened. Such partnerships, done through, for example, public and private research networks, research contracts, joint publications and mobility of students between universities and industry provide not only a means for the transfer of economically useful knowledge efficiently, facilitate industry's uptake and commercialisation of public sector and university research results, ensure that research is attuned to social and economic problems, but advances the training in skills required by industry and facilitate spin-off firms - a common strategy in North America."
According to the NCST executive director, the science system should not be considered isolated from society and the public should see science as a necessary and a positive contributor to nation building, as was the case after the Second World War. She said science and technology - is an important driver of innovation, sustainable economic growth and social well-being in the global and knowledge-based economy.
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