PTI should double R&D budget

No research. No development.

Dear friends, AoA

Hope you have had a great weekend so far.

We have always read and heard about benefits of RnD. Pakistan has been bereft of such innovation for long. For ever. In Pakistan, most Phds dissertation - forgive me for generalization - are copy pasted enough to survive plagiarism sword. And yes, government offers lucrative package to public sector teachers.

There can be no sustainable growth/material improvement in the lives of citizens if the country doesn't spend on Research & Development. Such spending has a higher multiplier (Rs 1 investment can lead to Rs 3-10 income). South Korea, Sweden, China, Germany & US lead religiously.

Continue with fiscal austerity, but this budget Pakistan should set priorities right - triple your Education/R&D allocation in 5 yrs. No fancy buildings but create knowledge centers. A platform to connect local dig-skills with Upwork/Fiver. Phds to innovate and not copy paste.

Import substition, innovative products, Tech exports & incubation centers need rockets. University standards need to markedly improve. It's a 200m population with hardly dozen Universities "educating". Others provide "degrees" for job interviews. Bridge academia with industries.

Global integration of the talent is a must as technological skills are available online. No need to go abroad. Give free unlimited data on all educational websites teaching skills. Let there be no excuse. In Riyasat-e-Madina model, state must equip people to live a better life.

If we don't innovate, march into the world of entrepreneurs & idea-based engineering we would be doing a criminal injustice to those not learned enough to find these paths.

In less than a decade, digital services, EVs, renewable, 3d printing, Robotics and Augmented reality have upended the path to wealth generation. Let's agree to do things better, efficiently and compete globally. Start teaching today.

Please share your views.