CHENNAI: Effective utilisation of technology is the key to successful and sustainable development and this involves improving the science and technology environment by integrating it with the decision-making process, V.N. Rajasekharan Pillai, acting Chairman, University Grants Commission, has said.

The important elements of such an infrastructure are an educational system that encourages creativity, skilled workforce, network of capable research laboratories, critical technical resources, productive industrial ecology and an economic policy that encourages research, development and investment in innovation.

He was delivering the 31st Frank Moraes Memorial Lecture on `Science-Technology Interface: Challenges for Knowledge Utilisation and Creation,' organised by the United Writers Association (UWA) here last Saturday.

Technology forecasting had to establish national priorities in science and technology funding and human capabilities had to be improved through expanded higher education. Science and technology education had to be backed by strengthening fundamental sciences as well.

With increasing importance being given to information technology, biotechnology and related emerging areas, there was an observable decline in the importance of humanities, social sciences, languages and art sciences. Restructuring the curriculum in these subjects would greatly enhance their relevance.

This necessitated having a flexibility to cut across traditional academic barriers to carry out interdisciplinary studies that were important in the technological market. New technologies also required new techniques of management. Transfer of technology must involve transfer of skills necessary to manage it.

Linkages should be formed between all players such as universities, research institutions, industry, multilateral organisations, donors, NGOs, government departments and the community to maximise the efficient use of resources. Conservation of indigenous knowledge and biodiversity should go along with sustainable exploitation of local resources.

There was scope for convergence of developed and developing economies through universal access to knowledge. It was the responsibility of all to ensure that all countries and populations had access to knowledge and opportunity, Mr. Pillai said.

UWA founder K. Thiagarajan, who received the Golden Peacock Award on the occasion, said no other organisation had fought more than the UWA for the cause of national solidarity.

He said the awards were being given to individuals in recognition of their contribution to the nation-building process. S.P. Thyagarajan, Vice-Chancellor, Madras University, emphasised the need for professional ethics in every field of activity and said the code of ethics was the hallmark of quality.

Earlier, Mr. Pillai released a book, `Quest for Excellence through Globalisation.'

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