Feo: let’s be innovative
Incoming minister for Higher Education, Research Science Technology and Sports, Kinoka Feo says his department plays an important role in transforming the country.
Feo said research and technology are a crucial module to progressing the country especially in such changing times where technology has evolved, and HERST will soon look into new initiatives.
The Unggai Bena MP who was recently appointed to ministerial head, urged the management and staff of PNG science and technology council secretariat to be innovative in the education sector to attract development and advance Papua New Guinea.
“There has to be someone looking at what's the latest technology available,” he said during his welcome reception by the secretariat yesterday.
“Because of the gaps we have in development, we need to really look at the advancement in technology where the rest of the world is going.
“And the big challenge is, we are sort of tracking on what developed countries are developing. We need to have strong vision, strong leadership.”
Feo said adapting latest technology such has Artificial Intelligence [AI] would change the perspective of the acclimatized ways of dealing with everyday issues.
He said the department needs to look at other perspectives to expand the education system in order to foster growth in the economic and social sector.
Regardless of the funding constraints, he said more research and familiarizing with the evolving technology would provide potential solutions to the country’s unending economic problems.
“If we have strong vision and drive and passion, it will attract resources,” he told the department.
“We must work with what we have. By the time we make something where no one has seen it and something very promising, it will attract the resources.
“We sit in a very strategic position; our department can provide solutions to this government. We may not have all the money…. but like I said, with technology advancement, we can always find a way.”
Meanwhile, PNG science and technology council secretariat acting chief executive officer Dr Kulala Mulung said they’re looking forward to establishing robust working relationship with the minister to achieve these goals.
Dr Mulung said a vibrant and growing economy can only be realized with a strong investment platform in science, technology and innovation, as it provides the basis of knowledge creation to inform knowledgeable people in the society and creates leverage for knowledge-based economy.
“The government has embraced science, engineering, sustainable technology in the stride for development in all facets of our pursuit to grow as a nation,” he said.
“To 'embrace' in my view would mean to initiate, provide resources, provide policies to enhance and grow knowledge and innovation through high quality scientific research, assessing the quality engagement and impact of research and providing advice on scientific research matters.
“These include institutional capacity, developing sound system of administration, governance and management for research to increase capability of our citizen to be creative and talented in solving problems.”
Dr Kulung said the secretariat has already progressed many different fronts with key foundational policies, plans and instrument to stimulate growth in the sector.
These include the National Research Agenda, the Science Technology and Innovation Strategic Plan, Corporate Plan, Sector Development Plan, Research Code of Conduct, Guidelines for Research Grants Approval, Guidelines for Foreign Research, Biotechnology Charter, others are still in progress.