Hand-outs on

SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY and, SOCIETY (GEED 007)

LECTURE 3:
Science and Technology and its Role in the Nation Building
Introduction
The advent of science and technology brought progress not only in the Philippines
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 an essential tool for rapid development and headway of a country.

Science and Technology Defined

Science and technology is a field of endeavour 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 behaviour of the physical and natural world through observation
and experiment (Oxford Advanced Learners' Dictionary. 11th Edition) on the other hand,
technology is the application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes (Oxford). It is
the use of resources made available by nature to procreate and make Changes

Importance of Science and Technology to National Development

Development of any phase is always inked with technology and technology
happens when there is advancement in science. Modernization in every aspect is the
greatest example of the implementation of science and technology in every nation. With
introduction of modem gadgets in every walk of life has become simple and this is possible
only because of implementing science and technology together. Without having modem
equipment in all sectors, be it in medicine, infrastructure, aviation, electricity Information
technology or any other field, the advancement and benefits that we face today would not
have been possible.
A nation's development and prosperity is judged 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 Ai China, Japan, India, Thailand, South Korea, and Taiwan. A few
decades ago, those asian countries were known to have poor policies, low discipline and
no advancement. But with the introduction and proper implementation of science and
technology in an 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 to a bit easier and a lot better with the advancement
in medicine, remarkable development in education, communication agriculture, business
and industry
Science and technology holds the key to the progress and development of any
nation Technology plays a fundamental role in wealth creation, improvement in the quality
of life and real economic growth and transformation in any society. A nation who is not
able to prosper in these aspects would never be able to 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 labelled 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 Ife
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, everything is the result of science, and technology

Here are (some) what science and technology do for us:

1. 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 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 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. (https:/www.use-of-
technology.com/society-impact-tech-society/)

 Technology has improved transportation. Transportation is one of the basic

areas of technological 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.
 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 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 the 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.
 The World Wide Web has proved to be an enormous information base from which
information can be retrieved 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 strings to web search engines. Digitization of
information has been a major breakthrough in the world of information technology.
 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, projectors and internet are being used in classrooms to boost
students’ morale to learn.

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 their certificates.
Distant learning and on-line study have made this possible.

The Role of Science and Technology in Nation-Building

It is a 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 used 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.
It is then of 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 foregone 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.
The Role of Science and Technology in the Developing World in the 21" Century
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 210 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.
LET’S DO! LECTURE 3 ACTIVITY
Directions: Discuss the following. Provide at least three references (either local or foreign)
for each item to support your answers.
1. Prepare a table to compare and contrast science from technology.
2. Explain how science and technology affect society and the environment. Identify
three examples.
3. Identify how science and technology contribute to national development.
4. Describe the role of science and technology in the nation building.
5. Creatively present the importance and contributions of science and technology in
the society