Rs 5.5 billion will be provided to the Science and Technology sector in 2006-07, under the Public Sector Development Programme as against Rs 3.9 billion provided last year, say the Planning Commission.
Science and Technology as well as R&D are important determinants of innovation and knowledge generation and are now being given greater emphasis after years of neglect. While university education is being strengthened, preparations are underway to overhaul R&D across the complete spectrum, from infrastructure to human resources, to international linkages, all within the envelope of much increased funding.
Proportion of R&D expenditure to GDP is however still low (0.4%) compared with some countries that have successfully built indigenous capability to innovate, produce new technology as well as design new products.
The major constraint was always the numbers and quality of manpower. S&T and R&D efforts were partly constrained by the lack of a critical mass of scientists and engineers. In 2000, Pakistan had 100 scientists and engineers per million populations, compared with 500 in Malaysia, 350 in China, and 149 in India.
During the financial year 2005-06, an amount of Rs 3892.00 million was allocated for Science & Technology Sector.
Out of this, Rs 3071.000 million were earmarked for Ministry of Science & Technology, Rs 596 million for Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC), Rs 111 million for Pakistan Space & Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO), Rs 75 million for National Engineering Science Commission (NESCOM), Rs 55 million for Pakistan Meteorological Department and Rs 11 million for Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority (PNRA).
The allocation for Ministry of Science & Technology was reduced to Rs 2264.183 million in the 3rd quarter review. It is expected that 90% of the total allocation would be utilised by June 2006.
During 2005-2006, the Ministry of Science & Technology had assembled a portfolio of 120 projects with an outlay of Rs 16.00 billion. Some important projects have been the TROSS programme (93 scholars placed in various centers of excellence abroad).
Under Water Quality Monitoring Projects, executed during 2005-06, some 33,000 field tests were undertaken by the PCRWR. Pakistan's water standards have been revised by the PSQCA, in consultations with all the stakeholders. In Cholistan desert, nearly 100,000 persons with 2.0 million cattle heads have been stabilised by provision of drinking water around the year.
In Balochistan, concept of Leaky Dams has been successfully tested to improve water supply during lean season.
Energy continues to be in great demand, and Pakistan is currently implementing several projects, which make use of cleaner alternative energy sources. The Meteorology Department has established a potential to generate 1,100MW electricity through wind measurements in a 10,000sq km area in coastal belt of Sindh, and nearly 700MW of wind energy will be generated in the next couple of years through several 'wind farms' being set up by the private sector.
The AEDB has also been tasked to provide electricity to 400 remote villages through solar PV and micro-wind turbines. Additionally, scores of micro hydro-power stations have been installed in remote areas of the NWFP and Northern Areas where WAPDA network does not exist.
So far, 4 laboratories of the PCSIR, out of 7 in the country, have attained the prestigious ISO 17025 certification as another is due to graduate soon. Services were rendered to some 6,600 business/industrial units. The NPSL laboratories at Islamabad have been granted ISO 17025 and the 'Newton Tree' through the EU, a unique distinction that testifies to the R&D quality system being established by the realigned PCSIR.
CAMB at Lahore imparted crucial forensic training to police investigation units, while land-levellers have been successfully developed through PAEC and are being marketed with extreme success.
A strategic study for 12 leading sectors of the economy was undertaken in consultation with principal stake-holders in public-private sector for HEC, and for eventual incorporation in the MTDF. Pakistan has established 28 bilateral Agreements/MOUs for S&T cooperation since 1972.
Only 08 were funded in the PSDP 2005-06. The construction of Head Offices of PCSIR and PSF at Constitution Avenue, and the PCRWR laboratories at H-8, have been completed. Likewise construction of Ministry's own office-complex on Constitution Avenue is underway.
These programmes have will continue during 2006-07, with an amount of Rs 5498.8 million allocated for Science & Technology Sector. This includes Rs 4431.2 million for Ministry of Science & Technology, Rs 646.1 million for Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission, Rs 375 million for SUPARCO, Rs 38.0 million for NESCOM and Rs 8.5 million for Pakistan Met Department.
The progress in S&T sector is mainly dependent on quality technical manpower, modern equipment, requisite infrastructure and institutional facilities in existence.
Advancement in scientific knowledge and development of a technological base are essentially required for rapid industrial growth. This emphasises availability of information about the latest technical developments world-wide. It has, therefore, been planned to establish a Technology Information and Dissemination Unit at PCST to facilitate the industrial sector.
Establishments of accredited laboratories and trained manpower are required to provide testing, certification services for maintaining quality standards. PNAC is planning to help in lab accreditation. The issue of intellectual property rights (IPR) is of great importance for R&D with regard to industrial technology development.
A strong IPR regime encourages R&D and foreign investments on international level. The IPR system is being administered by the TRIPs Agreement of WTO. This agreement is however, not favourable to the economies with a low knowledge base. Awareness about the various aspects of IPR, especially the patents and industrial design, the fundamental outputs of R&D efforts is required.
The Pakistan Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (PCSIR) is undergoing some major refurbishment and capacity building so that it can effectively carry out the important task of industrial oriented research and develop technologies, processes and products which can be used for the technological up-gradation of the industry and improving product quality.
The Council's services in testing, calibration, certification and patenting etc for the industrial products and processes will be important determinants towards quality assurance in industry.
While agricultural research continues to be supported, new emerging areas such as biotechnology and nanotechnology are seeing good growth because of the good work initiated by the National Commission set up to promote these fields. Pakistan Council for Renewable Energy Technologies (PCRET), is expanding its silicon PV activities, which will supplement the activities of the Alternate Energy Development Board (AEDB).
The Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR) has established water quality testing and monitoring labs network to support the programme for safe and clean drinking water recently started by the government.
National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) Karachi is finally being revamped and reinvigorated to undertake the next phase of demarcation of our EEZ. Participation in the International Seabed Authority (ISBA) meetings and Antarctic Research Programme are continuing.
Raising the Knowledge Content in Agriculture, Manufacturing and Service Sectors.
It is necessary to bridge the gap among industry, academic and R&D institutes. While the larger industries, businesses and farmers have access to finance and technology, the smaller entrepreneurs and manufacturers face greater paucity in all areas.
Focus will be on facilitation for transfer of technology, resource planning (and acquisition of certified seed, fertiliser and other technical inputs in case of agriculture) and business skills. SME's and industries will be encouraged to move along the value chain into knowledge-intensive activities, for exploiting the huge unprocessed resources in agriculture.
A key factor in modern economies is the widespread 'off-shoring' of services, since distances become irrelevant in the presence of fast electronic communications.
Back-office/call centres, digital transformations and archiving through CAD are some typical activities which are growing fast in Pakistan because of lower costs per 'seat'; the bandwidths will be increased and costs reduced to attract more businesses in this area.
A major opportunity exists in design services in textiles, publishing, electronics, and precision mechanical parts. This will benefit from enhancement in education and skills coupled with improved communication services.
Planning Commission will forge partnerships and networking among different players through the creation of technical working groups to steer and oversee particular DKE programmes and projects. It will act as the think tank and resource bank for the government, with forecasting through policy research units, which will be strengthened and augmented. Indicator will be prepared for monitoring implementation and progress of projects and facilitation mechanisms.
The Government will continue to intensify efforts towards innovation and technology-led development to meet the requirements of a knowledge-based economy. To complement the efforts of the Government, the private sector will need to keep pace with the technology advancements in the global environment as well as expand their capacity in R&D.
The challenge lies in developing a competitive edge at the global level. This will be determined by our ability to create, acquire and use knowledge for socio-economic development.
Ministry of Science & Technology and Higher Education Commission have to play a critically important role in the transition towards a "Knowledge-Economy". Only by arming with the right knowledge and skills, transmitted across an efficient and cheap communication system, that we can improve our living standards and provide a decent future to our children.