By Bridgette Komatep – EM TV, Port Moresby
PNG Science and Technology Secretariat Chairman, Professor Teatulohi Matainaho, says, although there has been countless research work conducted, they have been done so, by individual research organisations.
Thus, the workshop on National Research Agenda was an avenue to come up with a framework to align all research work.
Another hindrance currently faced by the secretariat is getting the five per cent allocated funding for research and development.
In an interview with EMTV, Matainaho said, research, science and technology is an integral part of development. The secretariat is entitled to five per cent funding for research and development as stipulated in the government’s vision 2050, however that is yet to be realised.
He also brushed aside critics that so much money was spent on research with no results.
Professor Matainaho clarified that the challenge faced by most research organisations is failing to demonstrate or explain how their studies can impact government policies and plans.
Papua New Guinea, like other emerging economies, needs to intergrate science and technology in its economic planning and investment, backed by government funding.
This includes a process of convincing and assuring the national government to have access to the five per cent research and development funding parked in the national development budget.
This funding has been captured in PNG’s Vision 2015.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=HXEZXPQ4Kg0%3Ffeature%3Doembed%26wmode%3Dopaque%26showinfo%3D0%26showsearch%3D0%26rel%3D0
