Engineering: issues, challenges and opportunities for development ...

ENGINEERING AROUND THE WORLDnology-led projects and pilot plans facilities. Improvement inthe assessment capabilities of banks to estimate risks in theknowledge economy is needed. Ways to encourage universityand other tertiary graduates to commercialize knowledge andcreate novel products and services are also vital elements in asuccessful domestic economy.Key strategic sreasAccordingly, the following strategic areas for engineers are crucialto set the Caribbean on a path of peace and prosperity:(i) Collection and use of vital national S&TinformationIn a knowledge-led world, information is the most importantcurrency. The market does not allow for proper flows of timelyinformation and, therefore, government must establish institutions,set policies and implement plans in order to ensure thatthe vital statistics of the countries are collected, analysed anddistributed to inform business development and social adjustments.Also, the Caribbean has to tap into regional and globalnetworks to follow technological trends, scientific developmentsand business and trade signals that may have significantimpact on local enterprises and cultural norms.The following initiatives are the minimum requirements tofulfill such purposes:■■Gather accurate information on what S&T skills, institutions,organizations and projects exist.Match this knowledge with the present industrial, manufacturing,service and social demands and thereby identifyand fill vital gaps.■ Establish performance criteria and standards to monitorand evaluate domestic S&T and engineering activities tohelp their progress and ensure optimum use of resource.■■Establish a review mechanism to permit national budgetingby performance, especially S&T activities within ministriesand main statutory bodies.Share tacit knowledge specific to the Caribbean situation,especially for the production of goods, services and recreation.(ii) Intelligence capabilitiesIntellectual capital is the development bedrock of nations andthis is fed by the development and analysis of domestic informationand the pursuit of knowledge from the global arena. Consequently,the importance of effective intelligence management topromote business expansion and vitality has never been greater.Policy and planning will require high quality social intelligencefrom a variety of quarters, if resources are to be allocated optimallyand development aims achieved in a timely fashion. Aninformation network that spans the globe is therefore of significanceto the local prospects for socio- economic development.This is especially so for small states like the Caribbean.The following objectives are therefore paramount:■■■Develop social intelligence networks, engaging missions,embassies and other bodies abroad.Train diplomats, politicians and other government officialsas well as trade union bosses and national leaders in S&Tcurrency and their impacts.Develop systems for local S&T intelligence to maximize collection,analysis, dissemination and feedback.(iii) Deepen and expand Information andCommunication Technology competenceInformatics and telecommunications are currently at the centreof the accelerated rate of globalization and increased productionand trade. These technologies were the results of scientific discoveries,which led to a range of practical developments includingelectricity, radio waves, the laser, the transistor, the WorldWide Web and the web browser. Their influences have beenprofound in almost all walks of life and already have providedeconomic benefits in states with high levels of diffusion, use andimprovement of these technologies, while countries that arelagging in this field are also being left behind in knowledge sharingand application. To make these technologies work for socioeconomicdevelopment, several factors are required including,liberalization and open competition, expanded infrastructures,balanced regulations, innovation in management and organization,and the use of these technologies in an increased numberof firms and institutions to improve production and marketing.Accordingly, widespread competence in this field is necessary toensure the ability to gain, share and use information constructivelythroughout the society. Areas where this competence isneeded in the Caribbean include enhancing information andcommunication technology policy and skills in:■■■■Software DevelopmentDesign and Hardware AssemblyCultural ProductServices for the main drivers of the economy (e.g. tourismand banking)(iv) Environmental preservationSocio- economic development will not be sustainable if environmentalprotection is not factored into the change process.This is especially true of the small tropical islands of the Carib-© Oliver Trash being loaded andcompacted in a landfill.245