Science in an ailing ecosystem

A trifecta of chronic ailments affects scientific research culture in Pakistan. These problems start at the very top, at the national level and go all the way down to the level of students. At the national level, the fundamental challenge remains that of vision. While some may argue that there is a Vision 2025, the reality is that science is barely discussed in that. Instead, it focuses largely on information technology. Also, let us dispel with the myth that science and information technology (IT) are the same thing. They are not. Information and communication technology is an important vehicle for connecting people and creating new solutions, but it is neither science nor a substitute for it.

IT is also just a part of the larger technological landscape. For sustainability, we need both science and technology, in parallel, in an ecosystem that feeds important scientific findings into technological results, and technology that identifies areas of new scientific inquiry. Furthermore, few people in the science community have read, or have even shown interest in the Vision 2025. One can call it by whatever name, but the outcome would be the same if it fails to engage the community. There is no national science adviser and no team to discuss matters of scientific importance with the government. Making the argument that education is a provincial matter is bizarre — since the country needs a single vision for its scientific development and not every province setting its own agenda for scientific vision.

The second ailment is at the educational institution level. Faculty is pushed to publish their findings, often not because their work is important, but because the institutions want to climb up in international rankings. To meet this demand, researchers often publish in journals with little or no peer review, and in conferences with dubious international standings. This not only feeds into the culture of corruption, where quality is compromised, but also creates an environment where bad science is pushed into public domain. There is an ever-increasing number of journals and conferences, often created by our neighbour, who has become our saviour for all economic matters, and with whom our friendship is sweeter than honey. Good Chinese universities themselves are grappling with this issue of quality in research, but our faculty is eager to feed into the bogus journals largely because of an unreasonable demand to publish extensively. Bean counting is destroying our scientific culture.

The third ailment is at the student level. Not only do we create disincentives to be curious, to experiment and to question — but our educational institutions are far from inclusive. Female students outperform their male counterparts, but few are able to stay in science due to societal pressures and environment of the institution. The incoming class may be largely female, but by the time we look for a faculty member to promote, the only available pool is that of all men.

While the trifecta of challenges has become chronic, there are two reasons to hopeful. First, there are strong examples from all social sectors that there is plenty of raw talent. Those who are mentored and supported surprise us all with their gifts of intelligence and inquiry. However, such stories are too few to make a true social impact or turn the prevailing culture around.

The second cause for hope is that all of the three major ailments are reversible. What they require is not some national decree, but a re-evaluation of our values. It requires a commitment to create a vision that fosters inquiry, a desire to strengthen our values so we reject bogus means of fame and above all the strength of character to question our culture that shuts its door on half the population.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 26^th, 2017.

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