|
| |


|
NASSL
NEWSLETTER
National Academy of Sciences of
Sri Lanka
c/o SLAAS 120/10 Vidya Mawata, Colombo 7, Sri Lanka |
|
Volume 2 Issue4
November
- December 2007 |
|
EDITORIAL
Science and Technology
Policy
What?
Another attempt to formulate a national science and technology
policy? We reproduce in this issue - for your edification or
entertainment, as the case may be - another proposed Science and
Technology Policy for Sri Lanka, this time by the National Science
and Technology Commission (NASTEC). This reminds us of President
Bush’s “No Child Left Behind” education policy which spelled out
various good intentions to improve the standard of education in the
USA, but was not backed up with funds and a program of action to
implement it! When you don’t have any funds to commit, just
commission another policy study!
How much is the
government currently spending on science and technology in Sri Lanka
in real terms, as compared with expenditure in previous years and as
a percentage of GDP? What is its commitment of funds for the SLAAS,
NASSL and other scientific bodies this year? What percentage of his
time is the Minister of Science and Technology spending on S&T
development, as against carrying out a never-ending public relations
exercise for the President?
On the proposed
policy itself, we would like to have your comments on this list of
good intentions. Nobody will quarrel with this wish-list, which
would have been better timed if it came with the New Year. But does
it at least take cognizance of the present sorry state of S&T in Sri
Lanka and set out some targets for total annual investment in this
sector (from both state and private sources)? You be the judge and
let us have your comments.
|
|
|
|
1 |
Editorial |
|
2 |
Notices/ News; Letters |
|
3 |
Proposed S&T Policy for Sri Lanka (NASTEC)
|
|
4 |
Proposed S&T Policy for Sri Lanka (NASTEC)
contd. |
|
5 |
Proposed S&T Policy for Sri Lanka (NASTEC)
contd. |
|
6 |
Proposed S&T Policy for Sri Lanka (NASTEC)
contd. |
|
7 |
Proposed S&T Policy for Sri Lanka (NASTEC)
contd. |
|
8 |
Contact Information |
|
|
NOTICES/
NEWS
New Council Member
Prof Veranjan Karunaratne
has accepted the NASSL President’s invitation to serve on the
Council of the Academy to fill the vacancy created by the death of
Prof. V. K. Samaranayake.
TWAS report and Sri
Lanka joining the new COSTIS
The
President tabled a letter from Dr Locana Gunaratne reporting
on the TWAS 17th General Meeting and giving information
about the Consortium on Science Technology and Innovation for the
South (COSTIS). It was recommended that Sri Lanka should join the
new COSTIS. Dr. Gunaratne has been requested to arrange a meeting
between the NSF Board Members and the Academy and SLAAS to discuss
this matter. A date to be arranged by the next meeting.
2008 Volvo Environment
Prize
The
documents are available at the academy office. The deadline for
submission is 1st December, 2007. Please contact the
General Secretary.
Promoting science
education- Science to reach the rural sector through ICT
Prof
Sunethra Atukorale
informed the council of the interest of the Science Education
Committee of SLAAS in collaborating with the Academy on this
programme. The council requested Prof Atukorale to pursue the
matter. A concept paper will be written up by the two organizations
in consultation with Dialog and the Ministry of Education.
Nomination for Fellows
of NASSL for 2007
The
Council has nominated the candidates as Fellows of NASSL for 2007.
Their candidature will have to be approved at the next AGM.
Higher Education by the
non-state sector
The
NASSL expects to organize a seminar on Higher Education by the
non-state sector within the next month or two. Students and relevant
bodies will be invited to participate.
LETTERS
---------
NO LETTERS! ---------
Page 2
|
|
Proposed National Science and Technology Policy of Sri
Lanka
Introduction
In the
increasingly competitive global economy, Science and Technology have
become strategically more important in national development. The
rapid advancements and the pervasive role of S & T in the global
economy necessitate the nation to build up and enhance its
capability in Science and Technology to take advantage of potential
wealth creating opportunities. In view of the above, a thrust
should be made to harness S & T as key drivers in raising the
national capacity to acquire and utilize knowledge in Science and
Technology to foster innovations.
Successive
governments in Sri Lanka have been involved in developing a
consistent Science and Technology policy. Comprehensive statements
were drawn up by a Presidential Task Force in early 1990’s, the
Natural Resources Energy and Science Authority (NARESA) in 1995, and
the National Science & Technology Commission (NASTEC) in 2002 and
thereafter. The present document is a distillation of the foregoing
policy statements and of the new thinking that has occurred in
response to the rapid advances and changes in global Science and
Technology, as well as the social, political and economical
developments in Sri Lanka.
The proposed
National Science and Technology Policy elements and strategies are
expected to be the basis for the attainment of a scientifically and
technologically advanced society and for a holistic approach to
strengthen and develop Science and Technology. The policy goals
also emphasize on capacity building and strengthening of Science and
Technology through intensification of advancement and dissemination
as well as the application of knowledge and technologies in
particular, the leading–edge technologies.
These policy
elements constitute an overarching statement that provides a
framework for more specific policies and implementation plans. They
have been designed keeping in mind the social and material well
being of the people of the country, protection of the environment
and the need for sustainable growth and development. It is
envisaged that the National Science and Technology Policy when
adopted, will provide a consistent, long-term framework for growth
and development in Science and Technology of the country, leading to
the achievement of the status of a developed nation in the
foreseeable future.
Policy Elements
1.
Foster a
national science and innovation
culture that effectively reaches every citizen of the country by:
a)
Providing equal and
adequate opportunities for all to acquire a basic education
in science and its practical applications
Contd. on Page 4
Page
3 |
|
Policy Elements
(contd. from Page 3)
a)
Encouraging a questioning
mind and the application of scientific methodologies in
every day life for efficiency and productivity
b)
Cultivating among all Sri
Lankans, an appreciation of the values and ethics of science
and technology and related research, leading to entrepreneurship
as an essential aspect of modern society
c)
Promoting public awareness
of S & T
1.
Build up,
sustain, and progressively increase the resource base of
scientists and technologists necessary to respond to the
developmental needs of the country by:
a)
Improving the working and
living conditions of the scientists and technologists
b)
Providing incentives for
research and innovation that would help to retain recognized
high calibre scientists and technologists in Sri Lanka and
attract the Sri Lankan expatriate scientists to contribute to
national development
c) Training scientists and technologists in advanced
technologies and knowledge management to support local industries
and other needs of the country
2.
Recognize the key role of science and technology as an
important and essential item in national development by:
a)
Establishing an Inter-Ministerial Task Force chaired by the
President
b)
Including
scientists and technologists in the formulation of policies
and plans, and decision-making at the highest levels
c)
Integrating
scientific and technological planning into the ministerial,
provincial and national level plans of the country
d)
Involving
scientists and technologists in monitoring and reviewing
strategies, legislation, and institutional framework for
science and technology in all relevant sectors
3.
Foster scientific and technological activities in priority
areas and encourage the development of self-reliance in
scientific and technological capability by:
a)
Progressively increasing the public and private sector investment
in science and technology (up to 1.5 % of GDP, by the year
2016)
b)
Developing
and strengthening the existing S & T institutions and universities
to generate high quality research and train scientists
c)
Establishing where appropriate, new centres of science and
technology in the high priority areas where advanced
international level research facilities are available
Continued on Page 5è
Page 4
|
|
Contd. from Page 4
a)
Improving
the autonomy and flexibility of science and technology
institutions
b)
Promoting
partnerships among industries, research institutes and
universities for knowledge generation through research
c)
Promoting
and expanding public-private partnerships in science and
technology activities and encouraging investment in R & D
1.
Develop, select, acquire, and adapt scientific knowledge and
technology necessary for the progressive modernization of
all sectors so as to enhance the country’s competitiveness
in the world economy by :
a)
Encouraging
multi-disciplinary development research
b)
Up- scaling
of research based new processes and technologies to pilot and
commercial scales with state support
c)
Encouraging
industries and R & D institutions to give greater emphasis to
technology transfer and technology adaptation
d)
Development
of technologies suitable for transferring to small and
medium enterprises, particularly enterprises at the village
level through collaboration between R & D institutions and the SME
sector
2.
Ensure quality standards of S & T institutions, S & T products and
services to face the challenges of competitive global markets and
needs of the domestic market by :
a)
Implementing effective, science based, transparent monitoring and
reviewing systems for S & T institutions and taking corrective steps
to ensure quality
b)
Ensuring
the effectiveness of activities of the institutions mandated to
maintain international quality standards of institutions,
services and management systems
such as ISO 9001, ISO 14000, ISO 22000 etc. and certification of product quality
through their own certification schemes with the application of
appropriate S & T
c)
Ensuring
the effectiveness of activities of the relevant accrediting
bodies for laboratory accreditation
against international standards such as ISO 17025 etc.
d)
Ensuring the effectiveness
of accreditation activities for conformity assessment in supporting
Quality Assurance
3.
Ensure sustainable development while conserving the natural
resources of the country and protecting the environment,
through the appropriate use of Science and Technology by:
a)
Promoting
the acquisition, transfer, and development of clean
technologies in industry through application of S & T
Contd. on page 6
Page 5 |
|
Continued from Page 4
a)
Strengthening and implementing laws and regulations to protect
the environment
b)
Formulating
transparent policies governing the use of natural resources such
as soil and water to meet the long- term needs of the country
c)
Establishment of monitoring and evaluation systems for the
successful implementation of the above.
8.
Encourage and strengthen co-operation in science and technology
between Sri Lanka and other countries, with a view to
building capacity in technologies which will have a positive
impact on the economic development of the country by :
a)
Establishing memoranda of understanding for cooperation in S &
T activities with other nations, international organizations,
academic, and R & D institutions, and relevant scientific and
technical industries.
b)
Promoting
international cooperation in S & T activities, including initiation
and conduct of joint programmes of study and R & D, with a view to
building technological capacity
c)
Developing
joint ventures involving S & T, for socio-economic development
d)
Establishing exchange programmes for senior scientists and
technologists
e)
Providing
opportunities for young scientists and technologists to acquire
knowledge in S & T as practiced in other countries
9.
Encourage research in fundamental and applied aspects of
science and technology and development related to areas such
as nanotechnology, biotechnology, material science, energy,
information & communication technology and electronics by:
a)
Providing
the necessary funding, infrastructure, and training support
b)
Encouraging
joint venture partnerships to develop relevant technologies
for establishment of industries
10.
Encourage
utilization of local resources and further development of
indigenous knowledge and technologies by:
a)
Promoting
industries based on local resources ensuring value addition
b)
Establishing a database of available S & T based indigenous
knowledge and practices
c)
Researching
into the acceptability of the available indigenous knowledge,
and further development of such knowledge and technologies
while ensuring Intellectual Property Rights
d)
Where
appropriate, encouraging the development and practice of
indigenous knowledge
e)
Promoting
research related to sustainable use of biodiversity of the country
Page 6
Contd. on Page 7
|
|
11.
Encourage the use of science and technology to mitigate and
manage harmful effects of natural hazards, and other phenomena
such as global warming by:
a)
Making
people aware of the general and scientific principles and
underlying causes of natural and man made hazards
b)
Disseminating information regarding preliminary indications of
hazardous occurrences, and their harmful effects
c)
Using S & T
based methodologies to identify and map hazard-prone areas, and to
develop early warning systems and adaptive measures
d)
Developing
local and national emergency plans to respond to natural
disasters, including evacuation plans, provision of food, and
ensuring the health of the affected population
12.
Develop capabilities in science and technology to strengthen
national security by:
a)
Using
science and technology inputs to ensure security in water,
food, shelter, energy, healthcare and national defense for the
people as well as security from crime and fear
b)
Fostering
bilateral and multi-lateral links with other nations and
international organizations, in areas such as defense
technologies, and technologies pertaining to control of and
defense against chemical, biological, and nuclear weapons
c)
Building
human resources and infrastructure capacity in the above
areas by local research and development, international
collaboration, and training programmes
13.
Encourage and reward science and technology based innovations
and inventions and ensure the protection of intellectual
property rights (IPR) by:
a)
Strengthening and enforcing laws and regulations governing IPR
b)
Assisting
scientists and technologists to patent innovations
c)
Further
developing systems of national recognition and awards for
successful researchers and inventors for their inventions
d)
Developing
a system of national recognition and awards for S & T institutions
supporting inventions and innovations
e)
Encouraging
the provision of venture capital to individuals and
organizations interested in converting inventions
into innovations
f)
Inculcating
IPR awareness among scientists and technologists and the general
public
Page 7 |
|