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<DIV><FONT size=4>Dear Madam/Sir, Here is an article published on 16th January
2010 in the daily Star on <SPAN class=byline><FONT color=#0000ff>Time to
Establish a Knowledge Commission <FONT color=#000000>in Bangladesh. <SPAN
class=byline><STRONG>. </STRONG></SPAN></FONT></FONT></SPAN></FONT><SPAN
class=byline><FONT size=4>We solicit your comments and
advice. </FONT></SPAN><SPAN class=byline><FONT face="Times New Roman"><FONT
size=5><A
href="http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=122022">http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=122022</A></FONT></FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=byline><FONT face="Times New Roman"><FONT size=4>Thank you Mr.
<SPAN class=byline><STRONG>Mohammad Mizanur Rahman for your nice
article.</STRONG></SPAN><?xml:namespace prefix = o ns =
"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"
/><o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></DIV></SPAN>
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size=4>-----------------------------------------------------</FONT></DIV>
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<DIV class=leadnews><SPAN class=byline><FONT face="Times New Roman"
color=#0000ff size=6><STRONG>Time to Establish a Knowledge
Commission</STRONG></FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV class=leadnews><STRONG><SPAN class=byline>by </SPAN><SPAN
class=byline>Mohammad Mizanur Rahman</SPAN></STRONG></DIV>
<P align=justify><FONT size=3>A few months ago, former Indian President eminent
scientist Dr. A.P.J Abdul Kalam visited Bangladesh as a convocation speaker for
UITS. Dr.Kalam delivered his lecture, "The 21st century university education is
about developing enlightened citizenship for a knowledge-based society for peace
and prosperity of nations, the world and also university has to be the incubator
of world knowledge powerhouse." At a time of unprecedented and dynamic global
change, with the world economy effectively amid significant re-balancing between
east and west, knowledge, together with imagination, creativity, innovation and
entrepreneurship are of premium importance to nations, governments,
organisations, communities and people everywhere.</FONT></P>
<P align=justify><FONT size=3>The 21st century will be the knowledge century,
but what exactly do we mean by this? I believe that it implies that its
"brainpower" will determine a nation's place in the present world, not its
military power or economic power. Brainpower should of course be reflected in a
country's economic competitiveness, as well as military prowess. More
importantly, it should be reflected in, what Amartya Sen has called, "human
capabilities." Human capability is a function of the well-being of people and
the investment we make in human capital formation. A nation's ability to make
the best use of its brainpower will shape its place in the present century.
Global approaches to creating more knowledge-based societies must surely be a
crucial part of our plans and actions. Nowadays, science and technology is the
best road for economic development. All activities depend on knowledge and the
application of that knowledge. </FONT></P>
<P align=justify><FONT size=3>The Bangladesh government should establish a
knowledge commission. The time has come to create a second wave of institution
building and of excellence in the fields of education, research and capability
building in Bangladesh so that we are better prepared for the 21st century. In
fact, a knowledge commission will act as the mandate to guide policy and direct
reforms, focusing on key areas such as education, science and technology,
agriculture, industry, e-governance and research-based working-knowledge-related
issues etc. Easy access to knowledge, creation and preservation of knowledge
systems, dissemination of knowledge and better knowledge services should be core
concerns of the commission.</FONT></P>
<P align=justify><FONT size=3>There are other elements of a knowledge economy,
beyond universities, colleges and schools. Public libraries are an extremely
important element for the foundation of a knowledge economy. Think tanks and
specialised institutions are equally important, especially in facilitating
informed policy-making. Also important is the University Grants Commission, or
other institutions dealing with certification and regulation of academic
institutions and programs. The ability of a nation to use and create knowledge
capital determines its capacity to empower and enable its citizens by increasing
human capabilities. </FONT></P>
<P align=justify><FONT size=3>In the next few decades, Bangladesh will have the
world's largest group of young people. Following a knowledge-oriented paradigm
of development would enable Bangladesh to leverage this demographic advantage
since a knowledge-driven generation is an asset. Denied this investment, it will
become a social and economic liability. Hence, we must invest in building the
knowledge base of our coming generation.</FONT></P>
<P align=justify><FONT size=3>The task is at many levels, from primary schools
to higher education and research institutions of national excellence. At all
levels, there is a need to improve access and excellence. There are, of course,
fiscal and administrative challenges to be tackled, and intellectual and
leadership issues to be addressed. At the bottom of the knowledge pyramid, the
challenge is to improve access to primary education. At the top is the need to
make our higher education institutions and research, world-class. A genuine
funds constraint exists in the public sector, which is being neutralised only in
part by the private sector. Together, the public and private sectors are not
able to cope with the demand for higher and professional education. However,
there is an additional problem at the top of the pyramid, namely, that of
quality. Our universities and centres of excellence are falling behind the
world's best, both in terms of human capital and physical infrastructure. In
this context, we have to work together for good governance and the development
of a knowledge-based society and economy. Otherwise, we will not achieve our
goals of the 21st century. </FONT></P>
<P align=justify><FONT size=3>We look forward to our government effectively
building a knowledge commission to strengthen the knowledge base of our country.
</FONT></P>
<P align=justify><B><FONT size=3>by <FONT color=#0000ff>Mohammad Mizanur Rahman
is a Botanist and Researcher. E-mail:
mizanhe_1971@yahoo.com</FONT></FONT></B></P></FONT>
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<DIV><FONT size=2><BR><FONT size=3>Bazlu<BR>_______________________<BR>AHM.
Bazlur Rahman-S21BR<BR>Chief Executive Officer<BR>Bangladesh NGOs Network for
Radio and Communication(BNNRC)<BR>&<BR>Member, Strategy Council<BR>UN-Global
Alliance for ICT and Development (UN GAID)<BR> <BR>House: 13/1, Road:2,
Shaymoli, Dhaka-1207 <BR>Post Box: 5095, Dhaka 1205
Bangladesh<BR> <BR>Phone: 88-02-9130750, 88-02-9138501<BR>01711881647 Fax:
88-02-9138501-105<BR> <BR>E-mail: </FONT><A
href="mailto:ceo@bnnrc.net"><FONT size=3>ceo@bnnrc.net</FONT></A><FONT size=3>,
</FONT><A href="mailto:bnnrc@bd.drik.net"><FONT
size=3>bnnrc@bd.drik.net</FONT></A><BR><A href="http://www.bnnrc.net"><FONT
size=3>www.bnnrc.net</FONT></A><BR></FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>