|
|
|
30pc technical posts vacant in S&T ministry
ISLAMABAD, June 4(Dawn): More than 30 per cent of technical posts remain vacant
at the Ministry of Science and Technology because of its inability to attract
talented Pakistani scientists who instead happen to be leaving for lucrative
offers abroad.
This concern was raised during the meeting of the Senate
Standing Committee on Science and Technology which met here on Saturday under
the chairmanship of Senator Razina Alam Khan.
"Unattractive pay scales
for these posts remain the biggest discouraging factor for young and bright
scientists graduating from universities," said Ms Khan.
"The ministry's
output will suffer if it does not come up with the right incentives for fresh
minds that are leaving for better offers to other countries."
She said
although the government realised the importance of promotion of science and
technology in the country for progress and prosperity, S&T contributed less
than 0.5 per cent to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
The committee
called for appropriate steps aimed at attracting qualified manpower, and was
unanimous while suggesting that besides suitable pay packages, scientists should
have tenure track system, similar to the one introduced by the Higher Education
Commission (HEC), which should also be implemented by the S&T ministry with
some modifications.
The committee also proposed that a National
Innovation Fund be established which might be utilised for acquiring the
technological research. It was pointed out that though foreign investment paved
the way for industrialisation in the country, the element of technology transfer
must not be overlooked.
And there was general consensus among the
participants that the government should regularly undertake technology foresight
exercises to identify specific fields which needed to be developed and that
focused efforts should be made to establish centres of excellence in those
fields.
Secretary, Ministry of S&T, Dr Pervaiz Butt, who gave an
overview of the budgetary position and the expenditure incurred during the
current fiscal year apprised the meeting about the proposed restructuring plan
of the ministry of science the technology that would make a
difference.
The finance division had offered complete support to the
revamping process.
|
|
 |
| Post your Comments about this News |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Education News | | Updated: 09 Feb, 2012 |
|
|
|
|
|
