Science for Progress of mankind

Stone age: Ah.. when humanity was just about starting to discover new things, and it did happen. Somehow, Man was able to know that friction between stones may cause a fire. Fire, which could be used to keep the body warm, avoid the wild animals, and cook. Did this discovery help Man to progress in the long run? Yes, it did.

Since our school age, we have been listening and reading about the ancient Greek civilization, the muslim scientists, the industrial revolution in Europe, the discoveries that were made, and the progress that mankind achieved. This could all be possible due to the urge of the Man to know more, to discover, and to do science. Denying the importance of science for progress and prosperity is like denying the warmth of the sun or the vastness of the Pacific.

Agriculture, industry, medicine, architecture, defense, communication, transportation, and trade are some of the areas which have been revolutionized by the discoveries made, using science as a tool. Still, in some parts of the world, the priorities of the governments are different. Spending more money on the maintanance of the old infrastructure would probably not be a very useful idea, than to spend money on science and technology, which could produce wonders and replace the old, obsolete infrastructure with a new, modern, tech-equipped, and long lasting one. Being a student of science, it is heartbreaking to know that only a meager amount of money is allocated for research in every annual budget. Apart from some technologically advance countries such as USA, Japan, some countries of Europe and China, others are not doing much for the development of scientific infrastructure. For example, in Pakistan, apart from few research centers (having funding sources other than government), the situation in public sector universities is terrible. The laboratories are not developed enough, not even to entertain the undergraduate students. Most of these laboratories do not even have the basic safety precautions. Students are made to visit other labs (foreign) to get their research work done, and even made to purchase the basic equipment (apparatus, chemicals, etc) for their research.  About 15 years back, when the Higher Education Commission came into being, led by the dynamic, dedicated, and sincere, Prof. Dr. Atta ur Rahman (FRS), hopes came alive in the scientific community. A huge amount of money was put in and a large number of programs were started. Scholarship for PhD students, Tenure-Track System for faculty and funding for research projects are few to mention. But with the passage of time, the political lot of the country eyed this only flourishing institution of the country and made hue and cry to devolve it, so as to have an influence into its affairs. That was unfortunate, and thus was not allowed to happen by the faculty and science students of the whole country. Still, the Higher Education Commission is striving for just a 4% allocation for education. 

4%..... are we asking for a lot? Is 4% enough to discover new ways efficient agriculture to improve crop yields and quality? Is 4% enough to create new lines for better planning and management of the cities? Is 4% enough to equip our universities with state of the art facilities? Is 4% enough to provide our young science generation, a conducive environment for doing science and helping the country get rid of the problems, it is facing? Is 4% enough to facilitate our medical professionals to discover new methods of cure for the ailments, prevailing in the society? No, certainly not. But we do not even get 4%.

Priorities need to be changed......