Polye says technology catalyst for PNG growth

 RESEARCH, science, technology and Innovation are catalyst for addressing development in the country, Treasury Minister Don Polye said last Friday.

“Given the global advancement in the information and communications technology, they all have a key role to play in expanding the economy, managing natural resources, improving governance, promoting the effective delivery of services and better health outcomes,” Polye said. 

He noted the national research agenda should also contribute to a significant growth in national innovation and business creation.

He congratulated participants for  identifying a core set of national research priorities, saying he was pleased that these priorities were mapped against the seven pillars of the PNG Vision 2050.

“We need to mobilise our resources to invest more in these areas to help achieve our development aspirations of Vision 2050 and other policy documents,” Polye told researchers, scientists, academics and participants at an inaugural national research agenda workshop in Port Moresby.

The minister said little attention was given to these important areas and called for a concentrated research that would make a real difference to people’s lives.

The workshop was organised by the Office of Higher Education Research, Science and Technology council secretariat. 

Research priorities identified at the workshop would be put together by a new research, science and technology council into a national research agenda.