TITLE : BASES FOR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY PROMOTION IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES.*

This book is the translation of "Bases for Science and Technology Promotion in Developing Countries", originally written and published in Korean. The idea of publishing the present volume in English has been inspired by Mr. Harumi Takeuchi, Former Secretary-General of Asian Productivity Organization. The idea was first conceived while discussing with him in Hong Kong about the issue of technology development and productivity increase, when I was invited to present a paper at the Asian Productivity Congress held i'n October, 1980.

The vicious cycle of across-the-board under-development is one of the most complex problems facing developsing countries. It is generally agreed, of course, that science and technology are the most significant resources for overcoming this inertia of under-development. Continued national development directed at the creation of a self-reliant economy is possible only when supported by steady progress in science and technology. Yet, there is still no clearcut answer to questions such as how much and what kinds of science and technology should be employed to fuel development.

There are several important aspectS to devising the proper approaches to science and technology development, particularly when the host of problems besetting most developing countries is recognized: the weak policy foundation for science and technology promotion and concomitant development strategies, the lack of institutional frameworks within which people can function, an inadequate legal base for providing the incentives to promote this kind of development, the inefficient utilization of technical aids as a policy instrument, and most of all, the lack of qualified manpower to carry out such development tasks as are required. One can devise various approaches, perhaps differing from country to country, in developing an appropriate infrastructure conducive to the development of science and technology.

The Korean approach was somewhat daring, and broke new ground among developing countries. In this book, it is attempted to introduce the conditions we have confronted and the lessons we have learned. However, it is not intended to dwell on the conclusive approach to the science and technology promotion for the national development of a less developed country. Instead, it is intended to describe the facts of Korean development process and some materials considered important for policy making and planning of science and technology development. In so doing, I take the cases of Korea, where appropriate, as I am not only familiar with these trials and errors, but also quite partial to them. Along with this intention, therefore, I have tried to present here Korean experiences in the build-up of bases for science and technology promotion including scientific and technological manpower development plan, among other measures.

From this standpoint, the present book deals basically with four issues: frist, the policy and strategy for science and technology development for industrialization (Chapters 2 through 5); second, the establishment and maintenance of a development system (Chapter 6); third, the international technical cooperation (Chapter 7); and fourth, development of scientific and technological manpower (Chapter 8). The concluding chapter (Chapter 9) summarizes the main issues raised in the book and touches upon lessons which can possibly be derived from the Korean experience.

Finally, I should express a special gratitude to those who encouraged me to have this book published in English: especially kr. Eun Bok Rhee, President of Korea Productivity Center and Dr. In Yong Ham, Professor of Industrial Engineering at Pennsylvania State University. I find myself most deeply indebted to those, without whom this book would not be possible-to Dr. Chong-Ouk Lee of Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology for his supervision of translation and outstanding editing work and Mr. Frederick Carrier of the Korean-American Educational Commission for his first-hand translation into English. Dr. Chong-Ouk Lee and I are highly grateful to Dr. James L. Riggs of Oregon Productivity Centre for his critical review of the manuscript and for his contribution to the concluding summary in Chapter 9.

Further I should thank Mr. Hiroshi Yokota, Secretary-General of Asian Productivity Organization, for his generous financial support, and Dr. George C. Shen and Mr. S. Nazim Zaidi for their administrative support. To all of these I am most grateful.

Hyung Sup Choi Seoul, Korea