November 2, 2003

‘It is not religion, but our wrong attitude that does the harm. If early Muslims could make great strides in science, there is no reason why we cannot do so now if we are allowed the freedom of thought and action,’ says Dr Viqar Zaman

A MICROBIOLOGIST and former Chairman and Professor of Microbiology at the National University of Singapore, Dr Viqar Zaman has been associated all his life with teaching and research. He has seen Singapore develop an excellent educational system and bloom into a flourishing economy.

A recipient of several academic honours and awards, Dr Zaman believes that Muslims should create an environment within their countries where science can flourish, as this is essential for their survival and development.

Having retired from the University of Singapore some 11 years ago after having spent more than three decades there, Dr Zaman is now a visiting faculty member of some universities in various parts of the world around the world. Having written extensively on professional issues, Dr Zaman’s latest work is titled, Life Sciences for the Non-Scientist.

In a recent interview with Dawn Magazine, Dr Zaman shared his experiences and views about, among other things, Muslim backwardness. The following are the excerpts from the interview:

Q. In the light of your lifelong association with teaching, research and development, how do you view the problem of Muslim world’s underdevelopment in science?

A. In the early centuries of Islam, the Muslims produced many eminent scientists because there was intellectual freedom and desire to learn and acquire knowledge. It is not generally known that a Greek slave who had converted to Islam, by the name of Abul Fath al Khuzini, was the first to propose the theory of gravitation as a universal force which draws all objects towards the centre of the earth, in his Kitab Mizan al-Hikmah in 1122. This happened more than 500 years before Newton.

Besides, Muslims led the world in the construction of hospitals. One founded in Damascus in 1160 continued to provide free treatment for three centuries. Muslims also did a lot of original work in biology, physics, chemistry and mathematics. Further details of Muslim contribution to science can be found in Will Durant’s book, The Age of Faith (1950, pp 328-338).

Muslims regressed when orthodox views started to prevail and science and technology was neglected. Unfortunately, this is what is happening in many Muslim countries even now. However, I am not suggesting that Muslims should get westernized, I am suggesting that they should modernize and discard archaic ideas. China has made great progress in a short time because it modernized, but in the process it did not give up its culture, language and values. Currently, Muslim countries spend a very small percentage of their GDP on education. The US spends about 2.3 per cent. Contrary to what vested interests would have us believe, the US does not leave the entire education in the hands of the private sector.

Q. Are there any inherent reasons why Muslim societies lag behind in science — say their attitudes towards science, or religion?

A. It is not religion per se, but our wrong attitudes that do the harm. As I said, if early Muslims could make great strides in science, there is no reason why we cannot do so now. Once they are prepared to allow freedom of thought, and allocate more resources to science, they will move forward. The key to that, of course, is education. The strength of the Western world lies in their knowledge of science and technology.

To give an example of the importance attached to education by astute nations, Stalin re-built Moscow University during 1949-52, the war-battered Soviet economy notwithstanding. Soviets concentrated on education in science and technology, which paid dividends, and ultimately the USSR became a superpower.

Q. Can the Singapore model of development work in Pakistan?

A. Both yes and no. Singapore is a small (population 3.5 million) nation, which is easily manageable. It has a secular government where people of all faiths live in harmony with each other. All major decisions are taken by highly qualified professionals. Singapore has been rated by Transparency International as one of the least corrupt nations in the world. Singapore has always given top priority to education. All educational institutions are government-run and comparable to the best in the world. The Singapore government has also established high-quality research institutions, mostly in the area of biotechnology, in which scientists from all over the world come and work. Sydney Brenner, a Nobel laureate, is one of them.

In contrast, Pakistan is a large country with a huge and diverse population. Over the years, education has been neglected and the population growth remains unchecked. Pakistan is ranked amongst the most corrupt nations and the feudal system, which was abolished in India soon after independence, remains intact here. Major changes are needed in Pakistan, both in administration and economic fields, to enable the country to progress. For this to happen, good leadership is essential and bold and sometimes unpopular decisions have to be taken.

Q. Some people are of the view that we need not invest much in research in Basic sciences and should go straight for technologies like IT, biotechnology etc. What do you think?

A. We need to give due importance to education and research in Basic sciences. They are the bases on which the whole edifice of technology and industry is built up. But we can, and should, go into technologies like IT, biotechnology and so on. In my opinion, we must give top priority to agriculture, as it is the backbone of our economy. Knowledge of genetic engineering holds great promise for improving our agriculture and developing better varieties and pest-resistant crops. Furthermore, this is a comparatively simple technology. Other areas with commercial potential are medicinal herbs, (the Indians export drugs made from Ayurvedic system), molecular genetics, cloning and some others. More agricultural research institutes and upgradation of the quality of the existing ones need to be done.

Q. But GM food has not yet been proved safe for human health. Moreover, can we bypass conventional development and break into research in advanced fields without having basic infrastructure in place?

A. I am not an expert in GM foods and maybe they have not been conclusively proven to be safe, but we can develop pest-resistant varieties in cotton and other non-food crops. China was amongst the earliest countries to produce virus-resistant tobacco. The technology for doing this is not very complicated. And, of course, it goes without saying that we cannot ignore the development of basic infrastructure.

Q. The developing countries, Islamic states in particular, today face resistance from the West in the acquisition of advanced technologies. Many people perceive globalization — and WTO — as disguised imperialism. What should be our response?

A. Some technologies can be acquired more easily than the others. As for the reluctance of some nation to transfer technology, we can explore other options. But basically it is a case where will and self-reliance should be our guidelines. We must establish quality research institutes, and explore avenues of cooperation with other countries, particularly advanced non-Western nations. OIC countries could work closely in technical fields to share knowledge. Pakistan can benefit from the expertise and experience of the Pakistani diaspora living in the developed world.

Q. Does the analogy of our attainment of ‘nuclear power’ status through sheer determination work for developing sophisticated, commercial hi-tech enterprises?

A. As I said before, it is a question of will and good planning. Some high technologies can pay great dividends and they should be pursued.

Q. Such assurances were held out for IT as well, that software export would increase the GDP by $200 billion, but turned out to be a pipe-dream. How do these hopes differ from those placed in IT?

A. Actually we were a late entrant in the field of IT and software export. India did benefit greatly from it, and China and other East Asian countries are doing the same, especially in hardware development and export. Nevertheless, IT has made a substantial contribution. It is crucial for our internal scientific and commercial development. The investment has not been entirely wasted and we need to be patient for financial benefits to accrue.

Q. Should the government not concentrate on creating equal opportunities for quality but inexpensive education?

A. True. Here I would like to quote the President of a US university who said, “American universities are rich not because America is rich; America is rich because American universities are rich.” Creating an enabling environment is very important with emphasis on the practice and learning of science. To help in this process, it will be useful to build science museums in large cities, so that students can visit them and see the exhibits. The electronic media can also play an important role by showing science-based documentaries. It is the responsibility of the government to provide quality education to all its citizens.

Q. How can Pakistan check brain drain? And how do you view the government’s new policy of importing foreign teachers?

A. The problem is that when qualified people don’t get satisfactory jobs, they look for greener pastures. Provide them jobs, good remuneration, good working conditions and, above all, respect. Those with creative work to their credit must receive due recognition. Unless such an environment is created, brain-drain is not likely to abate. Creating the above conditions is more important than importing teachers from abroad.

Pakistan can benefit from the expertise of many overseas Pakistanis working in the developed world’s academia and research organizations. They would be willing to come here during their sabbatical or other leave and share their knowledge, help researchers, train people, or conduct short courses for students and professionals. Pakistani embassies should maintain a database of Pakistani experts working in research and academic institutions abroad, and contact them whenever their help is needed.

Q. What prospects do our industries have of surviving after the WTO regime comes into effect? Can Pakistan tap the pharmaceutical industry for export earnings and reduction of drug prices in the home market?

A. They will have a tough time. There is no doubt that in the early stages, industries require protection, but Pakistani industrialists also need to be jolted into action. They seldom innovate, and carry out research necessary to reduce cost and improve quality.

I am not very aware of the capabilities of the Pakistani pharmaceutical industry, but it appears that Pakistan does not have a well-developed basic chemical industry necessary for manufacturing pharmaceuticals. Companies usually import drugs in raw form from other countries, and package them here. An Indian Company CIPLA offered to send AIDS drugs to African countries at a fraction of a cost of the Western products, an action deeply resented by Western multinationals but welcomed by African governments. The South African government won in litigation against MNCs on this issue. If trade relations with India open up, it is very likely that the price of drugs in Pakistan will fall as drugs are cheaper in India.

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