SciDev.Net

Three Nature articles display mixed feelings about the success of Pakistan's higher education reforms.

Following its higher education reforms, Pakistan's success in creating a research culture is still uncertain, say Athar Osama and colleagues.

Developing world businesses must invest in nanotech research and development for clean water to stay ahead, says Mohamed Abdel-Mottaleb.

Scientists in Islamic countries must relate the value of the theory of evolution to their political and cultural setting, says Salman Hameed.

Michael Greene reviews the ways in which regional scientific cooperation could promote peace in the Middle East.

D. J. Murphy calls for Islamic cultures to rekindle their rich tradition of innovative science and technology from earlier centuries.

Two centuries ago the Ottoman rulers of Turkey adopted technology, management and methods of learning from Europe. That experience has lessons for today's developing countries, says Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu.

Muslim countries should harness the talents of their huge diaspora and support collaboration between their expatriate and local scientists, says Munir Nayfeh.

The Muslim world need not lag behind in science and technology. Abdalla Alnajjar looks at an initiative that is charting a new approach.

Muslim countries need good quality institutions to motivate researchers, argues Athar Osama.

Science and innovation in the countries of the Organization of the Islamic Conference are woefully inadequate, but the tide can be turned, says Mohamed H.A. Hassan.

Ziauddin Sardar says Islam has lost its thirst for scientific inquiry and needs to restore old ways of scientific thinking to succeed.

The Islamic world must change its approach to science and technology if it is to compete at international level, says Herwig Schopper.

A study of scientific research in the Muslim world shows that it lags far behind the rest of the world, but there are encouraging signs of improvement, says Athar Osama

Nader Fergany argues that political reform is essential to building a knowledge-based society in Muslim countries.

Pervez Hoodbhoy argues that Pakistan cannot develop scientifically by focusing solely on producing PhDs and research papers.