ISLAMABAD: Minister for Science and Technology has conducted technology foresight studies in 11 different areas to further promote research and disseminate it among stakeholders.
The research and development areas included Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), Energy, Industry, Education, Health, Agriculture, Environment, Electronics, Water, Biotechnology and Nano-technology.
Official sources on Saturday said National Research Agenda has some priority areas and under each one, a number of focus areas of research have been identified in line with Pakistan Vision 2025 document.
With regard to incentives, the sources said to encourage scientists, researchers and technologists steps have been taken by the present government which included Civil Awards in category of Science & Technology, President’s Medal for Technology and Research Productivity Award.
Other steps included increase in Ph.D. allowance from Rs.7500 to Rs.10000 per month and accelerated promotion for Scientists and Researchers working in R&D organizations of MoST based on product development, registration of patents and impact factor publications.
Moreover, the sources said proposal for granting Special Pay Scales for Scientists and Researchers working in R&D organizations of MoST is under consideration to stop brain drain.
Answering a question, the sources said it is correct that Pakistan stands at 68th position according to recently International Innovation Index Survey and reasons of lower level of innovation are that historically, allocation for R&D expenditure have always remained low, as a total number of 60,699 researchers are working in Pakistan with only 10,670 Ph.Ds.
This number is low as compared to developed countries, low standard of science education in schools and colleges due to lack of laboratory facilities and competent science teachers and very low investment by private sector in Research and Development.
The sources said present government has given high priority to Science and Technology, that is evident from ruling party’s manifesto and accordingly Ministry of Science and Technology has devised “Science and Technology Strategy 2014-2018.”
