SciDev.Net

The Task Force on Higher Education and Society was convened by the World Bank and UNESCO, bringing together experts from 13 countries to explore the future of higher education in the developing world. The Task Force's report concluded that without more and better higher education, developing countries will find it increasingly difficult to benefit from the global knowledge-based economy.

Chapter 5 — which deals with science and technology — says that higher education an absolute and irreducible prerequisite to developing a strong science and technology base, but that the lack of well-qualified science and technology teachers and researchers is a widespread problem in developing countries, particularly in Africa with its very small base of individuals who can create a science-oriented culture.

The report notes that as developing countries having so few scientists, the impact of migration can be enormous and that it is compounded by the so-called "camp-follower" phenomenon. It concludes that it is vital to the future of developing countries that they turn to the task of systematically nurturing — and retaining — their science and technology talent.

The Indian Government appointed a high level committee in September 2000 to make a comprehensive study of the global Indian diaspora, and to recommend measures for a constructive relationship with them.

Advances in transport and communications have enabled a closer interaction between overseas Indians and their country of origin than ever before. Rather than viewing this as a 'hub and spoke' arrangement, the report suggests that the 'web' that is emerging could be a leap forward in achieving a globally beneficial impact of the diaspora.

The report includes a detailed examination of the circumstances of the Indian diaspora in selected countries and regions, a review of recommendations on diaspora issues such as dual citizenship and the creation of a single organisation to interact with members of the diaspora.