SOCIAL CONTRIBUTION OF RESEARCH IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES Charas Suwanwela Roundtable 2 4 th International Barcelona Conference on Higher Education Barcelona, Spain 1 April 2008

1. ESSENTIAL NATIONAL RESEARCH 1.1 Research towards local application of global knowledge pool. Adaptation to local conditions Pertinent to local problems (nature & extent) Suitable for social, economic cultural environment GLOBAL KNOWLEDGE POOL LOCAL APPLICATION accessibility affordability acceptability feasibility

1. ESSENTIAL NATIONAL RESEARCH 1.2 Research for understanding of one’s own situation and problems. EXAMPLE: Local soil and water conditions are important in introducing new crops. EXAMPLE: Social and cultural belief as well as genetic and environmental conditions are important for success and compliance to new health measures. SITUATION-SPECIFIC INQUIRIES RESEARCH IN SOCIAL SCIENCES

1.3 Problem-oriented Research ESSENTIAL NATIONAL RESEARCH Examples: Oral rehydrating salt for diarrhoea (Bangladesh) DMPA contraceptive drug research (Thailand) Alternative energy sources

ESSENTIAL NATIONAL RESEARCH 1.4 Policy research, System research, Services research, Operational research, Marketing research, Innovations POVERTY REDUCTION RESEARCH ADB Institute : Poverty Reduction Research Program (India) Poverty targeting, Making markets work for the poor (India) Rural roads and poverty reduction (India), Microfinance (Pakistan, Bangladesh) UNESCO : Research on ICT innovations for poverty reduction (India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan) World Bank : Southwest China / Qinba Poverty Reduction Project (China) DFID : The elimination of poverty in poorer countries, Pro-poor human development Research for the Millennium Development Goals

90 % of the efforts and investment in health research was for the health problems affecting only 10 % of the world population, while 90 % of the people mainly in developing countries were left with neglected health problems ( 10% research). 2. ORPHAN PROBLEMS 10 / 90 DISEQUILIBRIUM Global Forum on Health Research for Development

90 % of the efforts and investment in health research was for the health problems affecting only 10 % of the world population, while 90 % of the people mainly in developing countries were left with neglected health problems ( 10% research).

ORPHAN PROBLEMS Examples: Extensive drug resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB) Emerging viral diseases in developing countries: SARS, H5N1 Bird Flu, etc Relevant & used Irrelevant RESEARCH UNDERTAKEN RELEVANT RESEARCH NOT DONE Problems unsolved

3. KNOWLEDGE DIVIDE RESEARCH DIVIDE It is relevant for developing countries to try to develop their own competitive research . RESEARCH FOR NATIONAL COMPETITIVENESS . KNOWLEDGE-EXPORTING COUNTRIES Intellectual property right Monopoly Pricing of technology KNOWLEDGE-IMPORTING COUNTRIES Need the technology Buy high-priced technology With limited resources POORER

4. Research as educational and empowerment tools Knowledge and skills acquired through research process # Tool to cultivate scientific and critical thinking . # Employment in technology-intensive jobs will need abilities to work on knowledge and technology from access, critical appraisal to application of new technology as well as preparation for future advances . # Training of future researchers Villagers in the community empowered by research process.

5. Research in response to societal needs Research for preservation of values, social justice & human rights 5.1 Provision to the public of trustworthy knowledge and information especially on public policies and controversial issues Large development projects Dam construction Nuclear power plant Environmental pollution Deforestation Flood and drought management etc. OBJECTIVITY NEUTRALITY NON-PARTISANSHIP EVIDENCE-BASED REASONING ACADEMIC FREEDOM INTEGRITY

5.2 SOCIAL ADVOCACY DECISION-MAKING Taking side in controversies COURAGE INTEGRITY SOCIAL CONSCIENCE NEUTRALITY TRUSTWORTHINESS

A faculty member in the Faculty of Economics at Chulalongkorn University did research on corruption in the country, part of which included survey of opinion of public sample about their perception of politicians involved in corruption. The media reported on the findings. Politicians including head of a political party in the coalition government were furious. The party leader gave an interview with threat to cut the university’s budget which would soon be considered by the parliament. ADVOCACY THROUGH RESEARCH

A faculty member in the Faculty of Economics at Chulalongkorn University did research on corruption in the country, part of which included survey of opinion of public sample about their perception of politicians involved in corruption. The media reported on the findings. Politicians including head of a political party in the coalition government were furious. The party leader gave an interview with threat to cut the university’s budget which would soon be considered by the parliament.

The matter was submitted to the university council which came out to defend the researcher. It made a public statement that it was the rightful duty of the university to carry out the study which was of public interest. Fortunately, there was no definite evidence of budget cut for that year. The same group of academics continued to study undesirable activities in the country such as illicit trafficking and undercover businesses, in spite of threats .

The matter was submitted to the university council which came out to defend the researcher. It made a public statement that it was the rightful duty of the university to carry out the study which was of public interest.

Fortunately, there was no definite evidence of budget cut for that year.

The same group of academics continued to study undesirable activities in the country such as illicit trafficking and undercover businesses, in spite of threats .

As an academic exercise, a faculty member of the Department of Statistics, Chulalongkorn University made a study of the result of national lottery over many years. He found that the result during a certain period was not in line with the probability theory. Suspicion of tampering with the process of lottery prize drawing was raised. The results were reported by the media. Immediately the director of the national lottery agency came out to defend the drawing. There were threats against the researcher. For instance, fire broke out close to the researcher’s house. Even though its connection could not be substantiated, the researcher was frightened for the safety of his family. Two years later the criminal court sentenced three culprits to prison for tampering with the lottery prize drawing. ADVOCACY THROUGH RESEARCH

As an academic exercise, a faculty member of the Department of Statistics, Chulalongkorn University made a study of the result of national lottery over many years. He found that the result during a certain period was not in line with the probability theory. Suspicion of tampering with the process of lottery prize drawing was raised.

The results were reported by the media. Immediately the director of the national lottery agency came out to defend the drawing. There were threats against the researcher. For instance, fire broke out close to the researcher’s house. Even though its connection could not be substantiated, the researcher was frightened for the safety of his family.

Two years later the criminal court sentenced three culprits to prison for tampering with the lottery prize drawing.

In late October 2003, a faculty member on the faculty of veterinary science discovered a serious epidemic among chicken in a rural area. After an initial investigation in the farm he was of the opinion that according to the appearance of the syndrome it would likely be bird flu. The government was reluctant to declare an occurrence of H5N1 bird flu, for fear of its impact on chicken industry and trade, stating that it was only an ordinary chicken-cholera. ADVOCACY THROUGH INVESTIGATIVE STUDIES

In late October 2003, a faculty member on the faculty of veterinary science discovered a serious epidemic among chicken in a rural area. After an initial investigation in the farm he was of the opinion that according to the appearance of the syndrome it would likely be bird flu.

The government was reluctant to declare an occurrence of H5N1 bird flu, for fear of its impact on chicken industry and trade, stating that it was only an ordinary chicken-cholera.

Two months later when the epidemic affected many provinces and there were cases of human fatality, disclosure of scientific findings and laboratory confirmations from Chulalongkorn and Mahidol Universities forced the Minister to accept that it was an epidemic of bird flu. Soon afterwards, proper measures to control the epidemics were instituted. Universities can be seen to serve the society at large, even when it is not in line with the government. Honesty is proven to be the best policy. Research for social justice and human right

Two months later when the epidemic affected many provinces and there were cases of human fatality, disclosure of scientific findings and laboratory confirmations from Chulalongkorn and Mahidol Universities forced the Minister to accept that it was an epidemic of bird flu. Soon afterwards, proper measures to control the epidemics were instituted.

Universities can be seen to serve the society at large, even when it is not in line with the government. Honesty is proven to be the best policy.

Once a public department had a policy to build a big project which obviously had serious impact on the environment. A committee including academics from universities was formed, supposedly to oversee the environmental impact assessment study. A report was tabled with conclusion that there would be minimal and correctable impact on the environment. The committee was asked to endorse the report. ADVOCACY THROUGH EXPOSURE OF MISDEED

Once a public department had a policy to build a big project which obviously had serious impact on the environment. A committee including academics from universities was formed, supposedly to oversee the environmental impact assessment study. A report was tabled with conclusion that there would be minimal and correctable impact on the environment. The committee was asked to endorse the report.

Some academics on the committee resigned and made public comments. Some resigned quietly, but some continued on the committee. Academics can be forced or bribed by outside influential bodies to abuse academic freedom. Honesty in giving public opinion must be uphold by respectable academics.

Some academics on the committee resigned and made public comments. Some resigned quietly, but some continued on the committee.

Academics can be forced or bribed by outside influential bodies to abuse academic freedom. Honesty in giving public opinion must be uphold by respectable academics.

SOCIAL ROLES OF UNIVERSITIES IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES EXCELLENCE + RELEVANCE ESSENTIAL NATIONAL RESEARCH RESEARCH FOR NATIONAL COMPETITIVENESS SOCIAL ADVOCACY PARTICIPATION IN SOCIETAL AFFAIRS ORPHAN PROBLEMS EDUCATIONAL TOOLS EMPOWERMENT TOOLS EXCELLENCE WITH A SOUL