1260 



Linkage Ainong Acadenim, Goveimment, and Ecoiiomic Sector. — 

 A practical requirement for creating a scientific environment in the 

 LDCs is the development of close ties among such a nation's academia, 

 government, and economic sector. "Strenuous efforts" should be made, 

 even at the most rudimentary level, states Professor Moravcsik, to 

 strengthen the ties that bind this triad of national development. The 

 device of the consultant, found useful in the United States, should be 

 "vigorously explored" in the LDCs. The interaction among academia, 

 government, and industry could be "extremely beneficial." Industry 

 can gain from the advice of the scientists, and, as Moravcsik explains, 

 "industrial exposure would help in bringing the academic scientist in 

 a developed country out of his ivory tower, a tower which is much 

 more massive and better insulated than the counterpart tower in many 

 developing countries." ^^^ 



Wliat is involved here for the LDCs is the shrinking of lead-times 

 between discoveries in basic sciences and their technological applica- 

 tion. Professor Moravcsik explains : 



Only a country which can make a mark in a free international trade of tech- 

 nological products can hope to be economically viable in the long run, and to 

 raise its per capita income to the levels achieved in the developed countries. In 

 order to establish such a competitive industry, constant means must be found 

 to inject into the growing industry rejuvenating and modernizing ingredients 

 from recent scientific developments. This can be best accomplished by having 

 people available locally who are in personal contact with such developments.^ 



Also involved is the direct participation of the scientific community 

 with government and the economic sector in formulating national sci- 

 ence policy and policy relating to the needs of national development. 

 Brain drain specialists agree that scientists and technologists in the 

 LDCs should play an active role in national planning and develop- 

 ment.*^^^ 



Developing the Scientific Spirit. — Another essential requirement in 

 building an infrastructure of science and technology is the develop- 

 ment of the scientific spirit. It is "particularly important," says Profes- 

 sor Moravcsik, that as a minimum "an adequate social climate" exist 

 in which "research and development activities are at least condoned." 

 He explains : 



There must be a general level of "scientific point of view" on the part of the 

 whole society, a general readiness to encourage science and technology for what 



"59 Moravcsik, "Education and Research In Scientifically Developing Countries," pp. 24-25. 



680 Moravcsik, "Basic Scientific Research In Developing Nations," p. 10. However, It Is 

 to be noted that even the most highly developed countries, technologically, like the United 

 States and the United Kingdom, have experienced considerable difficulty in effecting this 

 "coupling" of research to application. 



«« Dr. Moravcsik made the following observations on the relationship between the 

 scientific community of a country and the country's government : 



"This relationship needs to be strengthened in many countries of the world. The par- 

 ticipation of scientists in the national development planning process. In the joint formula- 

 tion of science policy, as well as In the organization of education is of great Importance. 

 While science development must be Insulated from politics as such so as to preserve its 

 neutral and long range character, a recognition of the essential function of science In 

 the country's development must be brought about by a joint collaboration of scientists 

 and government officials. Science advisory bodies In the government, with a real role 

 and an open channel of communication to the important decision makers must exist. 

 Furthermore, more scientists must educate themselves in terms of the bv now rather large 

 amount of information that 1« available about science policy in general, and the building 

 of science as part of a development process, in particular. Science libraries should have 

 such material easily available, and vigorous discussion within the scientific community 

 Itself of such issues must precede the renresentation of the community before the govern- 

 ment as a whole. Few countries, scientifically advanced or not, have done enough in this 

 respect, so this problem is virtually a universal one." (Moravcsik, "Communication in the 

 Worldwide Scientific Community," p. 4.) 



