We Can Too

Now it is time for scientists and technologists to prove – “We can too.”

I may not be able to say exactly why I started writing this piece. However, let me first admit that Dr. Muhammad Yunus played a key role in this beginning. We are not proud of Dr. Muhammad Yunus’s Nobel Prize only as Bangladeshis—this achievement has shown that our efforts to eradicate poverty are enough. The whole world is now watching us to see what further contributions we can make. We cannot afford to stop here; there is still more work to be done.

Ordinary Bangladeshis have shown over the years, bit by bit, that by applying one person’s fundamental theory in their lives, they can transform their economic structure. Dr. Yunus and Grameen Bank did not win this award simply by ending a war or through some political measure. They had to prove themselves through the battles of daily life. I see their achievement as a triumph for Bangladesh, because their efforts are spread all across the country.

Just as a major achievement has inspired us, we must also respond to the hopes and aspirations of the world. We’ve been able to prove ourselves in the field of economics, but we’re falling behind when it comes to science and technology. If we are to survive in the coming world, we must pay attention to science and technology. Yet, despite knowing this simple truth, we pretend not to know. We think someone else will do it, or that somehow it will get done one day. But who will answer when that “one day” will come? I believe we need to step onto the field very soon.

Information technology is a great example of technology. Even in this field, we have not been able to prove our expertise. Why is that? Where are our shortcomings? We technologists often blame the government—saying the government isn’t taking any steps, and so on. We shift our own shortcomings onto the government. In reality, these small initiatives must be taken by private organizations or individuals. When companies do well in those areas, the government will realize where we can excel and then take initiatives to support those sectors—just as happened with our garment industry.

How can we Bangladeshi expatriates contribute?

A large portion of expatriates are involved with science and technology. They often demonstrate great talent in their respective fields. Naturally, they will understand science and technology matters better than the local technologists in Bangladesh. So in this regard,
it is the expatriate scientists and technologists who can point out which fields of science and technology Bangladesh should prioritize.

Since most first-world technologies are high-tech, many say these won’t have much impact in Bangladesh. I don’t agree with them. There are many technologies that could make a difference in Bangladesh. The problem is we are unable to bring them to Bangladesh properly. Take mobile phones, for example. The high-tech mobile phones released in the first world end up in even remote Bangladeshi villages within days. Why is that? There’s only one reason—the demand from buyers. Was this demand absent five or ten years ago? Of course it was there, but the mobile companies managed to create that market. Similarly, there are many promising markets in the high-tech sector that we might not even be aware of. We have to find them. And in this, the experience and insights gained from using high technologies in the first world will help scientists and technologists. Looking ahead, I see two especially promising fields: nanotechnology and biotechnology. We must experiment with these technologies to see if, in any way, they can be useful in the context of Bangladesh.

So let’s embrace the spirit that Dr. Muhammad Yunus’s achievement has given us—let’s recognize our hidden strengths in science and technology as well. Surely, we can achieve something remarkable. Instead of just waiting for the government to act, I call upon scientists and technologists—let’s find out which technologies we can apply in the context of Bangladesh.

Published: Poroshi January-February 2007

Poroshi is a monthly magazine published from the Bay Area in North America.