Nobel Laureate Professor Dr. Abdus Salam established the Third World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) and the International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP) in Italy with the objective of developing the third world countries through utilisation of basic sciences. Prof. Abdus Salam is from a developing country, Pakistan. He wanted to establish the research centre in a developing country but he was not given proper support to establish such an important institute from any country of the third world, not even from Pakistan.
The reasons are political, social and financial. But the most important reason was lack of importance given by the politicians to the issue. To tell it more clearly many political leaders of the developing countries did not understand what the famous scientist Prof. Salam is going to do at that time. Now many politicians and scientists of the respective countries understand what mistakes they have done refusing the request of Prof. Abdus Salam.
The Chief of Bangladesh Awami League, Sheikh Hasina has given priority to establish “Science and Technology based Digital Bangladesh” in their election manifesto. The long expected election of Bangladesh is over that has created an excellent example in the world.
The countries like USA, Japan and India have welcomed Bangladesh for the successful holding of parliamentary election and they have commented as the return to democratic process. According to the reports of international observers, the election was free, fair and peaceful. The International Republican Institute (IRI), a Washington based election monitoring body have said the results of the ninth parliamentary election held on 29th December 2008 are an accurate reflection of the will of Bangladesh. Being voters of Bangladesh, we feel proud on their comments.
As a scientist and recipient of TWAS Fellowship, I should say we have lots to learn from the example created in establishing TWAS in Italy if we want a real Digital Bangladesh. This is the high time for all to look into the matter. The concerned authority, particularly, Sheikh Hasina, the Prime Minister of the country may be requested to give high priority to the issue and to create an environment so that the politicians and the scientists come closer and sit together to design a model in the context of Bangladesh to develop a real “Science and Technology based Digital Bangladesh”.
The writer is founder Vice-Chancellor of Science and Technology University in Rural Bangladesh.
