Research outcomes must improve people’s lives: Science and Tech secretary

Research outcomes should be impactful and capable of improving people’s quality of life, Science and Technology Secretary Md Anwar Hossain said today (17 June).

“The outcome of research should not remain confined to paper or publications. Rather, it must bring positive changes in society,” he said while speaking as the chief guest at a seminar titled “Challenges and Way Forward in Improving Appropriate Technology” held at the ministry’s conference room.

The secretary stressed research findings must be taken forward to the stage of prototypes and then transferred to industries so that they can be piloted and turned into marketable products or services, reads a press release.

“Appropriate technology does not mean choosing cheap technology. It means selecting more timely and context-appropriate solutions,” he said, adding that technology should be suitable for Bangladesh, not the other way around.

He further said innovation without impact should be avoided. “Research that does not contribute to real-life change or public benefit has no value in practice,” he added.

Describing the concept of appropriate technology, he said it should be accessible to those who need it most, available when and where required, and both economically and environmentally sustainable.

It should also be scalable from pilot projects to national-level implementation and inclusive for all sections of society, the press release added.

Officials from various organisations under the Ministry of Science and Technology joined the event virtually via Zoom, while Additional Secretary Ashraf Ali Faruq and other senior officials were present on site.