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Give Science And Technology More Focus, Says McLaughlin
Published: Tuesday | November 23, 2010
FOR JAMAICA not to be left behind in development, Professor Wayne McLaughlin believes more attention should be paid to science and technology.
"I don't think the Government is serious enough, or has been serious enough over the years, to put a focus on S&T (science and technology)," said McLaughlin. "It needs more focus."
McLaughlin, this year's Gleaner Honour (GHA) Award recipient for science and technology, was speaking during an Editors' Forum held at the newspaper's North Street offices last Thursday.
The professor, through his scientific research, modified the genes in local tomatoes to build resistance against the brutal jherri curl disease.
The head of the University of the West Indies' Department of Basic Medical Sciences lauded the Government's decision to introduce science and technology in the school curriculum and acknowledged its attempts, over the years, at instituting S&T policies. He admitted, however, that all these initiatives have fizzled with time.
"There have been science policies, biotech policies. And, nothing has come of them," McLaughlin said.
He explained that long-term vision was critical for proper implementation of such programmes and would ultimately lead to its success.
"When Cuba started the health biotech, it was mandated that's what they would be doing in the next 20 years, and everything was geared towards that," he said.
McLaughlin also warned of deadly consequences if S&T was not made a national priority.
"It will result in a lack of development!" he declared. "If you look at every country that is developed, they have a strong science base."
A benefit to the economy
Dr Patric Rutherford, chairman and CEO of Andrews Memorial Hospital - which won the GHA in the health and wellness category - said proper infrastructure had to be in place for the success of S&T. This, in turn, would benefit the economy.
"The United States economy grew when they made investments in science and technology, as that drove the other industries," Rutherford said.
Dwayne Samuels, a member of Northern Caribbean University's Team Xormis, said increased focus on S&T could translate into more jobs for local techies.
"Instead of outsourcing jobs, we have many programmers here who can manage world-class jobs," he said.
Team Xormis, the recipient of a GHA special award, won the Interoperability category at the eighth annual Microsoft Imagine Cup World finals in Poland in July.
"It is the way of the future," Samuels added.
Rutherford, however, offered a solution which he feels could jump-start the local S&T revolution.
"Both public and private stakeholders should ramp up support for S&T so it becomes attractive. Remember, from psychology, that what you reward, you reinforce," he added.
brian.bonitto@gleanerjm.com
Published: Tuesday | November 23, 2010
FOR JAMAICA not to be left behind in development, Professor Wayne McLaughlin believes more attention should be paid to science and technology.
"I don't think the Government is serious enough, or has been serious enough over the years, to put a focus on S&T (science and technology)," said McLaughlin. "It needs more focus."
McLaughlin, this year's Gleaner Honour (GHA) Award recipient for science and technology, was speaking during an Editors' Forum held at the newspaper's North Street offices last Thursday.
The professor, through his scientific research, modified the genes in local tomatoes to build resistance against the brutal jherri curl disease.
The head of the University of the West Indies' Department of Basic Medical Sciences lauded the Government's decision to introduce science and technology in the school curriculum and acknowledged its attempts, over the years, at instituting S&T policies. He admitted, however, that all these initiatives have fizzled with time.
"There have been science policies, biotech policies. And, nothing has come of them," McLaughlin said.
He explained that long-term vision was critical for proper implementation of such programmes and would ultimately lead to its success.
"When Cuba started the health biotech, it was mandated that's what they would be doing in the next 20 years, and everything was geared towards that," he said.
McLaughlin also warned of deadly consequences if S&T was not made a national priority.
"It will result in a lack of development!" he declared. "If you look at every country that is developed, they have a strong science base."
A benefit to the economy
Dr Patric Rutherford, chairman and CEO of Andrews Memorial Hospital - which won the GHA in the health and wellness category - said proper infrastructure had to be in place for the success of S&T. This, in turn, would benefit the economy.
"The United States economy grew when they made investments in science and technology, as that drove the other industries," Rutherford said.
Dwayne Samuels, a member of Northern Caribbean University's Team Xormis, said increased focus on S&T could translate into more jobs for local techies.
"Instead of outsourcing jobs, we have many programmers here who can manage world-class jobs," he said.
Team Xormis, the recipient of a GHA special award, won the Interoperability category at the eighth annual Microsoft Imagine Cup World finals in Poland in July.
"It is the way of the future," Samuels added.
Rutherford, however, offered a solution which he feels could jump-start the local S&T revolution.
"Both public and private stakeholders should ramp up support for S&T so it becomes attractive. Remember, from psychology, that what you reward, you reinforce," he added.
brian.bonitto@gleanerjm.com
