The 2013 National Schools Science Fair takes place for the fifth consecutive year at Kamuzu Academy in Kasungu from June 30 to July 3. On Tuesday July 2, all those who think science has a role to play in our development are invited to view the creativity of our young Malawian scientists-in-the making. Thanks to all our sponsors, Press Trust, Lab Enterprises and Anglia Book Distributors, who are indeed sowing where the whole nation is going to reap. This article has only one objective—to communicate to the Malawi nation the role science and technology can play in our country’s development.
In his book Notes on Science, Technology and Science Education in the Development of the South, Abdus Salam states that science in developing countries has been treated as a ‘marginal activity’ and perceived even as an ‘ornament’.
Indeed, most developing countries such as Malawi do not realise that their situation can only be rectified with the infusion of modern science and technology into their societies. Although some of these countries are aware of the importance of science and technology, this awareness does not necessarily make it easy to develop and popularise science. Inadequate scientific infrastructure is a critical factor which creates strong barriers to the path of advancement in developing countries.
Most developing countries fail to stress that for long-term effectiveness, technology transfer should always be accompanied by science transfer. All industrial products— from the simplest to the most highly complex—are based on the rapid advances and accumulation of scientific knowledge in various related areas. Compared to technologists, economists and planners, the extent to which scientists are allowed to play a role in nation building is another important problem.
The social and economic growth of Malawi depends on an essential emphasis on education, science and technology. The basic problems of Malawi are the weak educational and scientific infrastructure, and a lack of appreciation of the importance of science as an essential ingredient of economical and social development.
In order to make a realistic plan, not only a vision, but also scientific leadership and investment in scientific enterprise both by government and the private sector are required. Short-term financial considerations in investment decisions that have been observed so far in developing countries will always be more costly and time consuming.
The institutions for scientific education and research oriented, professors, well-equipped laboratories, modern libraries and archives within these institutions, constitute the minimum requirements of a scientific infrastructure any government of a developing country must provide for.
In developing countries, economic growth can mainly be enhanced by a science and technology policy. However, science and technology can play their role in development only when the integrity of the whole enterprise-research institutions, universities, publications, research priorities and emphasis and the education of creative scientists, as well as those active in science is preserved. Malawi should understand that perceiving investment in sciences as a time-consuming, wasteful and costly activity will bring further limitations on her economic growth.
In conclusion, I believe, just like Salam, that it is a political decision on the part of those who decide on the future of developing countries to take proper steps toward creating, mastering and utilising the resources of science and technology.
—The author is 2013 National Schools Science Fair Coordinator
