Scientists urged to be movers of sustainable development
Isaac Pinielo | Tuesday September 6, 2016 15:10
Permanent secretary in the ministry of education and skills development, Theophilus Mooko made the call at the 2016 International Association of Science and Technology for Development (IASTED) conference.
He said science provides a solid foundation for new approaches and technologies that can be adapted to different environments or different problems. “Scientific research, if translated into practical action, can bridge the gap between research and policy or decision making,” he said.
According to Mooko, it is important that countries, including Botswana, do not only embrace scientific technologies, but also step up their support for research and innovation. In this regard, he said, Botswana has recently launched an Academy of Sciences that will assist in reducing the fragmented approach to research and knowledge generation.
“It will also assist in enhancing the quality of research and innovation through peer-review, accreditation and compliance with international standards,” said Mooko.
He said the academy has prioritised; water resources management, climate change mitigation and adaptation, agriculture and food security, health, energy and the green economy, ICT and cyber infrastructure.
Mooko noted that technical and scientific innovations can potentially offer solutions to some of the problems facing the world, including Botswana.
Some of the said technologies, he said, include biotechnology which can bring important advances in solving food problems in energy saving and environmentally compatible industrial and agricultural production. He said other technologies are those that are able help reduce or stabilise emissions of climate-damaging greenhouse gases. Mooko emphasised it is critical that the society is a science-based knowledge society so that the knowledge and capabilities can be used to the salvation of the environment.
The IASTED conference will deliberate on issues of environment and water resource management, power and energy systems, health informatics, modelling and simulation. The PS said the conference creates a platform for academics and practitioners to come together to interrogate issues, share ideas and explore diverse solutions. He added that the interaction also provides an opportunity to engage on the use of new and emerging technologies to address socio-economic challenges the world is facing today.