1263 



Establishing ^''Centers of ExceTlence'\ — An important component 

 in the network of communications is what brain drain specialists 

 term "centers of excellence." They recommend this mechanism as a 

 means for building and strengthening indigenous science nationally, 

 regionally, and, as in the case of Africa and Latin America, conti- 

 nentally. Yet, little progress has been made.®^° 



The value of establishing "centers of excellence" is readily apparent. 

 Countries and regions in the developing areas can pool their limited 

 funds and resources to build scientific institutions that would otherwise 

 exceed their capabilities. Through cooperative efforts they can meet 

 all the criteria for developing an indigenous science base. Subjects for 

 study and research focus naturally on problems arising from the needs 

 of the area. Scientists work under optimum conditions for professional 

 contacts and communication and for developing research projects of 

 common concern and interest. Regional "centers of excellence" serve 

 as resource bases for establishing criteria and priorities in research, for 

 identifying problems for study, and for allocating manpower where 

 needed. These centers serve many purposes of the advanced research 

 centers already existing in the advanced countries.^^^ 



The LDCs are conscious of the value of establishing "centers of 

 excellence." Regional and continental conferences, such as those held 

 in Latin America and Africa, have strongly recommended their estab- 

 lishment. The final report of the Conference on the Application and 

 of Science and Technology to the Development of Latin America ex- 

 plained the purposes of such centers in a manner that has relevance to 

 all LDCs: 



It has repeatedly been shown that centres with more than the minimum "crit- 

 ical mass" of teachers and research workers necessary to create a suitable work- 

 ing atmosphere and an adequate rate of production are needed for the training 

 of scientists and technicians. The shortage of high-grade staff and the difficulty 

 of obtaining a sufficient number of international technical assistance experts 

 to meet the needs of all the countries in the region point to the desirability of 

 concentrating efforts at regional centres or institutes, set up in different countries, 

 as appropriate, according to speciality, which would serve as nurseries of talent 

 for the whole of Latin America. The views expressed above with regard to the 

 advantages of awarding fellowships and recruiting experts within the region 

 emphasize the usefulness of such centres. In addition to strengthening existing 

 centres, other new ones should be set up. In particular, it was deemed essential 

 to set up an interdisciplinary regional centre to train research workers in the 

 study of vegetation and environment, so that they may make a contribution to 

 soil science and land use and to the rationalization of land management.'" 



A variety of existing institutions have been cited as "models" for 

 "centers of excellence." The United Nations International Center for 



s'o Moravcslk points out that there are many developing areas of the world where scien- 

 tific collaboration among themselves could improve science development significantly. But, 

 "there are very few regions where such local international cooperation is a reality. ' ( How 

 to Help With Modest Resources?" p. 17.) 



«^ For a discussion of what "centers of excellence" could do for Africa, see Garaluer, 

 op. clt.. nn. 201-202. , „ . ^ „, i 



9™ UNESCO, Final Report of the Conference on the Apphcatton of Science and lecn- 

 nology to the Development of Latin America, 1965, p. 34. 



