Article: Sharing Science and Technology

Scientific knowledge is the most valuable treasure of mankind. It is the sum total of human enquiry, endeavor and experience. Different civilizations in various ages have contributed towards it. Science is thus common heritage of man. Laws of science are also universal in their character. The moral of the scientific approach is that there is no finality in knowledge and that we can push back its frontiers for ever and ever. An important attribute of science is its transcendental nature, it knows no geographical boundaries and thus promotes global contact and understanding. It encourages cooperation and exchange of ideas and thus tends to broaden the horizons. Scientists are thus used to truth which is universal and their community is thus, in general averse to the barriers that can sometimes be imposed by vested interest in the way of free diffusion and sharing of knowledge.

Science is not the monopoly of any single country or region and none should be discouraged from having an access to it. Assistance in promoting the learning of science has always played a key role in the development of science throughout history. No country can claim to have managed its scientific research without external inputs. Science knows no boundaries; indeed it derives its intellectual vitality from interaction and exchange of ideas. It is expansive by nature and any attempt to restrict it results in stultifying its growth. Progress in any scientific field depends upon pooling the experience of scientists. Research, unlike other human activities, is a highly collective undertaking.

For the growth and advancement of knowledge, the importance of scientific seminars, meetings and conferences can hardly be overemphasized. These help scientists to share knowledge and learn from each others experiences. Learning of science essentially requires communication of scientific activities. A scientist must have the opportunity to learn from the work of the others and benefit from it instead of duplicating the effort.

For science to flourish in any culture, its usefulness must be widely understood and appreciated. Science and Scientists should therefore speak up and be widely heard. Scientific manpower must be strengthened and upgraded. For this, a long term strategy of information exchange and education must be chalked out. The need of the day is far more effective and prompt communication. Conferences and meetings go a long way in establishing reciprocal channels of communication.