WEF Global IT Readiness Report and Dado Banatao
The World Economic Forum (WEF) has released its annual IT readiness report. This is a measure of how well government use IT and transform it into a competitive advantage. Here is the scoop from Ars Technica.
Denmark has been steadily climbing towards the number one spot in the GITR, and the report credits government policy there—and in other top-ranked countries—along with a good system of higher education that produces technology-savvy graduates.
“Nordic countries have shown how an early focus on education, innovation and promotion of ICT penetration and diffusion is a winning strategy for increased networked readiness and competitiveness,” said WEF Senior Economist and report coeditor Irene Mia. “Denmark, in particular, has benefited from very effective government e-leadership, reflected in early liberalization of the telecommunications sector, a first-rate regulatory framework and large availability of e-government services.”
Higher education is keeping the US in the game; public policy that hinders technological innovation and overbroad regulation are responsible for the drop in rankings. “Much of the slip can be attributed to a relatively complex political and regulatory business environment,” according to Soumitra Dutta, Dean of External Relations at INSEAD and another report coeditor.
Notice the common theme amongst the top players? Higher Education. This reminded me about Dado Banatao’s address to Ateneo de Manila University Batch 2007 graduates. For a graduation speech, it was painted a picture of urgency. Mr. Banatao has this to say about the sad state of things in the country.
At the risk of being a naysayer, or simply wrong, I venture to say that we do not yet have the technology infrastructure to receive the transfer of technology knowhow that comes with foreign investments nor the ability to sustain technologies and compete against other developed and developing countries.
The lack of technological base for national growth manifest in at least four forms: Shortage of research scientist and engineers, Low level of research and development activity, Low quality of research and development, and Inadequacies in higher educational system.
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Due to our inadequacies in advanced sciences and deficient technological base, our engineers have the most difficult task in creating innovative and competitive products and services. As a result, we have not been able to achieve a high growth rate in our economy that should have been brought about by this infinite global demand and technology transfer through foreign investments.
Both our poor ranking in the WEF and Mr. Banatao’s speech say the same story. We need to improve our higher educational system (particularly science and engineering). Of course, there is hope.
The rapid transfer of knowledge in science and engineering will only be accelerated through foreign education and explicit programs aimed at learning.
In the Philippines, we need an industry involved in research and development, an industry that should be paranoid about its future, because its survival is wholly dependent on properly trained engineers and managers and an industry that works with academe in funding and directing research.
And for private individuals, especially alumni, to support these ideas because a very high percentage of your investments in the future will be based on high value add products and services.
A good system of higher education is key. This does not only benefit technology-fields but non-technology disciplines as well. I personally work in the academic community. We definitely try out best. But, I personally feel that what we are doing now is definitely not enough.
Shortly after graduation, my dad said, “It is only in third world countries like the Philippines where education makes money“. This must changed. First world educational institutions live off begging (grants, endowments, chairs). Education should be about learning not earning.
