HARVARD PROFESSOR Calestous Juma says that, based on the fundamental interactions between technological learning and the way societies and economies evolve, it is important that technological innovation and the application of information and communications technologies (ICT) be placed at the centre of matters relating to governance.
Professor Juma was speaking last Friday at a panel discussion hosted by the Cabinet Office on the topic: 'Going for growth and development through ICT'.
MAJOR COMPONENT OF GROWTH
Professor Juma, the director of the Science, Technology and Globalisation Project at the John F. Kennedy School of Government, said ICT can be a major component of the growth engine of an economy and has a direct influence on efforts to upgrade quality of life through better information flow and communications.
"Economic development can generally be viewed as the continuous transformation of knowledge into goods and services," he said. "It can be deduced from this that information is the currency of economic transformation. It is in this context that ICT acquire its significance."
He, however, cautioned against a heavy focus on ICT in a narrow sectoral or technical way, suggesting instead that it should be viewed as a generic platform that underlies all economic activities and transactions rather than a sector in competition with other economic initiatives.
Turning to education and the impact of ICT, Mr. Juma said that in order to build science, technology and innovation capabilities, more resources should be devoted to assisting young people, in particular women, receive higher education.
Among the strategic considerations identified by the Harvard Professor for Jamaica to fuel growth and development through the use of ICT was the redefinition of the ICT infrastructure as a foundation for technological innovation and economic renewal. He said also that there should be greater emphasis on building capabilities through institutions of higher learning with specific emphasis on ICT-related scientific, technological and engineering services.
CREATION OF LINKS
Professor Juma further urged the creation of links between the knowledge generation and enterprise development, improvement of the policy environment and enhancement of technology governance, as well as the forging of international partnerships that could help with the provision of financing for research and development.
Other presenters on the panel were Phillip Paulwell, Minister of Commerce, Science and Technology, Patrick Casserly, chief executive officer of e-Services Group.
