SYNOPSIS

In development planning, an important place has been accorded to the concept of self-reliance in developing countries, and in that perspective, the need for capacity creation in science and technology (S&T) has generally been underscored by national and international bodies. Political commitment of almost highest order has been given to S&T organizational infrastructure and broad policy objectives, with the expectation that it would be instrumental in attaining the development tasks and national priorities. At the micro-level, S&T development programs and projects in different areas such as agriculture, health, industry, etc. have been undertaken with a view to technology development. Considerable attention is being given to the tasks at the technology generation level, such as development of human resources and qualified S&T manpower; R&D allocations and S&T institutions, etc. However, various problems, constraints and issues that arise at the level of technology commercialization and transfer of scientific research to the production sector have not been subjected to any systematic and in-depth analysis.

Technology utilization and their marketing are faced with several problems, constraints and limitations in Muslim countries. Utilization of research results is unsatisfactory and technologies generated are not used optimally. There is a deficiency of pilot plants and demonstration effects; linkage between industry and R&D institutions are not very effective. The transfer of skills to the production sector is not adequate and technical assistance required for the sake of commercializing technologies is not requisite. Furthermore, there is dearth of risk capital, and technologies generated indigenously are not mature and proven, and in many cases have, to compete with those being imported. Moreover, data and information regarding the nature of R&D results do not receive due publicity so as to be picked up by the potential end users. There is earnest need for effective and improved channels and mechanisms for diffusion of the technologies generated indigenously.

The need for evolving and strengthening institutional mechanisms, promotional activities and organizations for the sake of transfer of scientific research results to the production sector is practically of a continual nature in varied development stages. There is a need to develop a mechanism for obtaining of risk capital for technology development projects, starting from applied research stage; to improve all environments for private R&D in fundamental technologies and to promote research exchange among industry, R&D institutions and universities. Need for such tripartite collaborations in Muslim countries are greater and appropriate measures also need be taken in this respect.

Technology being transferred has to be mature and proven; otherwise, commercial interest is bound to be insufficient. In any case, there would be lack of credibility and of acceptability of research results unless these are utilizable by the industry. It is here that the role of venture capital and of risk coverage comes. Making risk capital available for implementations of technology utilization and development program is very crucial in giving impetus to the use of indigenously developed products and processes. Another dimension of this problem is possible lack of venture capital to promote commercialization of unproven technologies. In this respect, the crucial significance of the role of the development financing and risk banking agencies must be underscored by necessary political commitment.

Pitfalls and difficulties in the successful transfer of scientific research results to production sector owe a great deal to a propitious environment for technology development, inspired by spirit of competitiveness, and result and market oriented industrial ethos in generating technologies. It is basically a problem of R&D and technology transfer management, which has to be, viewed in light of the fact that larger involvement and greater place must be accorded to the private sector in the process of industrialization. A major task for the government is to create and sustain stimulating, competitive environment.

An important modality regarding the government role is that it should be directional, providing adequate set of incentives and promotional support services. Government as a public entity can play the role of catalyst more effectively. In the past, in most of the Muslim countries, the government, in assuming the role of business and industry, has not delivered the goods in a manner comparable to industry's role.

The mere promotion of R&D activity in quantitative terms is not enough. Research activities should be successfully accomplished and be, in the final analysis, marketable. Attempts at the generation of technologies are necessary and important. But they cannot bear fruit without the optimal utilization of technologies generated by the production sector. Successful commercialization of technologies can be a useful indicator of the technology development, in as much as it is a necessary complement to the exercise of technology generation. Therefore, importance has to be attached to technology utilization and commercialization of research results as an instrument for strengthening technological capabilities so that it can be instrumental in accelerating the technological and social transformation and attaining the objectives of self-reliance.