Spark the Innovation
“The only way to discover the limits of the possible is to go beyond them into the impossible.” –Arthur C. Clarke
The rapid globalization, with all its positive ramifications, has created new designs of unprecedented developments in technology. Every country in the world, with a desire to become more developed, technologically and economically, adheres to the rule of “adopting and adapting” to new emerging technologies to increase socio-economic growth. Technology plays a vital role to increase productivity, thus, becoming a yardstick for economic development as well as better living standards. Though the technological growth ratio can be enhanced in Pakistan as the country possesses enormous potential in the IT industry, unfortunately, Pakistan is lagging in technological advancement.
“What is now proved was once only imagined.” –William Blake
The reasons responsible for slow progress in technology include lack of funds, less encouragement for the development of different industrial products, negligence at higher levels, lack of visionary approach and no infrastructure for R&D.
“You can’t solve a problem on the same level that it was created. You have to rise above it to the next level.” –Albert Einstein
Another area that requires more attention is the education sector in Pakistan. There is a big difference between the quality of education that the private sector and the government sector schools and colleges offer. Countries, like China and India, are profoundly investing in tech education with advanced and innovative research in IT, while Pakistan is still following 20th-century methods at school and college level. Let alone government institutions, even expensive private educational institutions in Pakistan lack syllabus homogeneity, a carefully designed curriculum without logical fallacies, laboratory facilities and an emphasis on rational thinking.
“If you want something new, you have to stop doing something old.” –Peter F. Drucker
The second most important thing is our system of learning. Our system of learning is such that induces rote learning instead of learning and applying the concepts. Innovation which could mean a new sketch of a machine, or understanding a particular problem regarding business or any scientific problem requires clearing the concept first in your mind and then designing the solution. If the concept is not clear, you cannot solve the riddle. And the concepts cannot be cleared by theory based learning. Combining theory with practice is what can make you understand a particular concept but this is not the norm in Pakistan.
The flawed systems of admission and examination in many universities just add to the misery. Pakistan is ranked 105 out of 129 in the 2019 Global Innovation Index, which marks very low progress for the country. The 21st century is the century of tech-based innovation, and technology is the core growth driver for prosperity. Under these circumstances, improving Pakistan’s ranking on the innovation list is analogous to a fairy tale coming true.
“Innovation is seeing what everybody has seen and thinking what nobody has thought.” –Dr. Albert, Szent- Györgyi
Our children must be encouraged to learn and practice science in the same way as religion — this is the only way we can expect to excel in innovation. To achieve this I thought to build a science hub actually a Student cafe where students till secondary education can come and will be be actually doing the practicals. They will be creating things from scratch and will play with science to make their mind innovative and creative. There will be fun loving games to create interest in science. In that way Children will be innovative and having a mind that is trained to do research.
“Learning and innovation go hand in hand. The arrogance of success is to think that what you did yesterday will be sufficient for tomorrow.” –William Pollard
