SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY & SOCIETY

Chapter 1: Lesson 2 - Science and Technology and Its Role in Nation Building

The advent of science and technology brought progress not only in our country but in the entire world. Its
development determines to a large extent the socio-economic progress of a country. It is a well-known fact that it is
directly associated with modernity and is an essential tool for rapid development and progress of a country.

Science and Technology - is a field of endeavor upon which a two-way interaction operates between the two.

While science is the intellectual and practical activity encompassing the systematic study of the structure and
behavior of the physical and natural world through observation and experiment (Oxford Advanced Learner's
Dictionary,11th Edition). Technology is the application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes(Oxford). It is use
of resources made available by nature to procreate and make changes.

SCIENCE (observe and experiment) ---->> Think of an application --->> TECHNOLOGY(apply scientific knowledge for
practical purposes.

Importance of Science and Technology to National Development

Development at any phase is always linked with technology and technology happens when there is advancement in
science. Modernization in every aspect of life is the greatest example of the implementation of science and
technology in every nation. With the introduction of modern gadgets in every walk of life, life has become simple and
this is possible only because of implementing science and technology together. Without having modern equipment in
all sectors, be it medicine, infrastructure, aviation, electricity, information technology or any other field, the
advancement and benefits that we faced today would not have been possible.

A nations development and prosperity is judge to a large extent by the status of science and technology of that
nation. Science and technology are key drivers to development, because technological and scientific revolutions
underpin economic advances, improvement in health systems, education and infrastructure.

Today, countries are classified as developed and developing countries. The major categorization is based on the
economy and the application of science and technology. Countries which have a strong base in science and
technology are the ones that developed faster. A few examples are countries like Japan, Russia, Brazil, China, and
many more. It is estimated by the World Bank that seven of the ten largest economies of the world by 2020 would be
in Asia: China. Japan, India, Thailand, South Korea, and Taiwan. A few decades ago, these countries were known to
have poor policies, low discipline and no advancement. But with the introduction and proper implementation of
science and technology in the effective manner, they made great advancements across the globe.

The role that science and technology has played in improving the life of people across the globe is vivid and has made
life a lot easier and a lot better with the advancement in medicine, remarkable development in education,
communication, agriculture, business and industry.

Medicine ---- X-ray Science and technology holds the key to the progress and
Education ---- Projector development of any nation. Technology plays a fundamental
Communication ----- mobile phone role in wealth creation, improvement in the quality of life
Agriculture ---- Sprayer Drone and real economic growth and transformation in any society.
Business ---- Barcode Verified
Banking industry ---- ATM
 Wealth Creation Societal
Transformation

SCIENCE AND
TECHNOLOGY

Quality of Life Economic Growth

A nation who is not able to prosper in these aspects would never be able sustain its life and may have to
depend on other nations. Without proper implementation of science and technology, no nation could grow and all
those nations that were labeled as low in growth have proven where they stand today and all that happened because
of science and technology.

Importance of Science and Technology

Today, we cannot expect our life without science and technology revolving around it every single second. Science and
technology are extremely essential in our everyday life as they have made things more simple, fast, and secured.
Almost everything that we see around us is the gift of science and technology. Be it the smartphones, fan, wheel,
vehicles, cloth, paper, toothbrush, electricity, microwave, vehicles, radio, television, laptops, etc., everything is the
result of science and technology.

Here are What Science and Technology do for us:

1. It helps us save time and money. Various contributions of science and technology have helped us save time and
money. While science has given us the knowledge why baked or steam-cooked food is better than the fried or oily
food, technology has gifted us with microwave and steam-cookers that help us bake and steam cook our food.
Various objects like computers, modes of transport, washing machines help us save time and energy.

2. Education. Science and technology have made significant contribution in the education field as well. Technology
has made education itself easier. It has provided us options like smart classes, multimedia devices, e-libraries, e-
books, etc.

3. Internet. Information Technology, including internet, is an excellent gift of technology. With the help of the
internet, we do not get only immense knowledge on science and other subjects, but we also get to stay connected
with our friends and family.

4. Provides us devices for comfortable sleeping, quick cooking and fast commute. With the help of objects like AC,
microwave and vehicles, science and technology have made our sleeping, cooking, and commuting process easier
and faster.

5. It helps us live a better life. While science has made a significant contributions in health by providing treatment for
various chronic diseases, technology has benefited us in receiving those treatments through various ways and
devices like X-ray, scan machines, operation devices, pacemaker, and many more. We are also blessed with numerous
exercising equipment, various health apps, online doctor and other things that help us maintain good health and life.
 Impact of Technology on Society

Technology by itself is not harmful to society, but the way society uses technology to achieve specific goals is
what results into negative impacts of technology on the society. Humans need to use energy to process products in
factories, to run cars, to light homes and also run technological machines like computers, but the only way we can do
this without affecting the environment and society is by shifting from exhaustible energy sources to renewable and
inexhaustible energy sources like solar/wind energy. Technology has contributed much to various aspects of life.

1. Technology has improved transportation. Transportation is one of the basic areas of technology activity. Both
society and businesses have benefited from the new transportation methods. Transportation provides mobility for
people and goods. Transportation, like other technologies, can be viewed as a system. It is a series of parts that are
interrelated. These parts all work together to meet a certain goal. Technology has made possible all types of
transportation and these include: (1) road transport used by automobiles; (2) air transport which is used by
airplanes; (3) water transportation which is used by ships and speedboats; and (4) space transportation used to go to
the moon. Technologies like automobiles, buses and trucks have improved the way humans move and how they
transport their goods from one place to another.

2. Technology has improved communication. Communication is used for a number of purposes. Both society and
organizations depend on communication to transfer information. People use technology to communicate with each
other. Electronic media like radios, televisions, internet, social media have improved the way we exchange ideas
which can develop our societies. In many countries, radios and televisions are used to voice the concerns of the
society. They organize live forums where the community can contribute through mobile phones or text service
systems like tweeter. Communication technologies like televisions, radio and internet are used to persuade, entertain
and inform people about the various programs of the government. Small businesses have also used the internet and
mobile communication technology to grow and improve their business.

3. The World Wide Web has proved to be an enormous information base from which information can be retieved by
means of search engines. Information from all around the world is housed on the web. With the development of
web, technology, the information can be organized in an organized manner and relevant information can be retrieved
on supplying search string to web search engines. Digitization of information has been a major breakthrough in the
world of information technology.

4. Technology has improved education and the learning process.

Education is the backbone of every economy. People need well and organized educational infrastructures so that
they can learn how to interpret information. Many schools have integrated educational technologies in their schools
with the aim of improving the way students learn. Technologies like smart whiteboards, computers, mobile phones,
iPads, projector and internet are being used in classrooms to boost students morale to learn.

Exhaustible/Non-renewable energy sources  shift to … Inexhaustible/Renewable energy sources like:

WIND, SOLAR, HYDRO GEOTHERMAL

It is well-established fact that science and technology impacts all aspects of our lives as well as the planet we live on.
The changes induced by science and technology have for the most part benefited mankind although there is many a
case where science and technology-based innovations have been used for the detriment of mankind, pursued for
either wealth and power or both. It is the responsibility of all concerned to ensure that science and technology is
widely to benefit mankind (Ratnasiri, 2006).

Science and technology has been one of the main driving forces of the economic growth of nations. Most developed
countries have generated new technologies with potential to result in dynamic economic performance. This,
however, has not been the case with most of the developing countries and their developmental plans have not given
emphasis and importance to science and technology and in particular to research in the science and technology
aspects. Countries like India, South Korea, and Taiwan in the region have achieved much through science and
technology and stand out as having demonstrated the absolute importance of science and technology for economic
growth. These countries are example for the developing countries. The impact of technology on society without
doubt is going to be even more marked in the future.

In the past, when there was no technological advancement, education was usually difficult to access and
comprehend. Today, people can get educated even at their doorsteps without going to a building called university or
college to collect certificates. Distant learning and on-line study have made this possible.

It is then a paramount importance to generate and develop new knowledge in science and technology for application
nationally through our own research capability. It is also necessary to concentrate on the rapid transfer and exchange
of proven technologies from other nations to reap the benefits of the global trends to stimulate our economic
growth.

That science and technology plays a decisive role in the economic growth of nations is a forgone conclusion. It is then
pertinent to also consider and rethink about the role of scientists and technologists in stimulating the economic well-
being of the country. It is well accepted that scientists and technologists must necessarily generate new knowledge
by engaging in meaningful and appropriate research and developmental activities. A question needs to be posed to
the researchers as to whether their role should be limited to only the narrow confines of creation of new knowledge.
If scientists and technologists are to contribute significantly to social and economic changes resulting in the
development of the country, their role should expand beyond generation of new knowledge and assume the role of
advising the decision makers and finally making the decisions on the science and technology prospects, choices and
priorities for the country.

How can scientists and technologists contribute to achieving the multiple role which is a dire necessity for the
economic development of the country? Researchers, as creators of new knowledge, must focus their work on
nationally and globally important and competitive areas of research which are multidisciplinary in nature. This means
that the results of research must be goal and result-oriented, tangible and significant. On the other hand, scientists
and technologists should be totally committed to add and develop significantly to the knowledge base in science and
technology aspects which are of economic importance to the nation.

Research

Goal and Result-Oriented Tangible Significant

Developments in science and technology are fundamentally altering the way people live, connect, communicate and
transact, with profound effects on economic development. According to Lee Roy Chetty (2012), science and
technology are key drivers to development, because scientific and technological revolutions underpin economic
advances, improvements in health systems, education and infrastructure. The technological revolutions of the 21st
century are emerging from entirely new sectors, based on micro-processors, telecommunications, bio-technology
and nano-technology. Products are transforming business practices across the economy, as well as the lives of all who
have access to their effects. The most remarkable breakthroughs will come from the interaction of insights and
applications arising when these technologies converge.

Through breakthroughs in health services and education, these technologies have the power to improve the lives of
poor people in developing countries. Eradicating malaria and cures for other diseases which are endemic in
developing countries are now possible, allowing people with debilitating conditions to live healthy and productive
lives.

The extent to which developing economies emerge as economic powerhouses depends on their ability to grasp and
apply insights from science and technology and use them creatively. Innovation is the primary driver of technological
growth and drives higher living standards.

To promote technological advances, developing countries should invest in quality education for youth, continuous
skills training for workers and managers, and should ensure that knowledge is shared as widely as possible across
society.

The state of science and technology determines the socio-economic progress of a country. It is a well-known fact that
national progress is highly correlated to the capacity of a country to produce local industrial goods for domestic
needs and that industrialization is very much dependent on the application of science and technology.

Summary

Science and technology has made great contributions to various aspects of our lives. It has altered the way people
live, connect and communicate and thus has affected profoundly the economic development in the country.