The state of scientific development in Venezuela: Observations of a distinguished scientist
"Without human development, there is no scientific development," Professor Benjamin Scharifker says. Professor Benjamín Scharifker, Professor Emeritus of Venezuela, has experienced the most important historic periods in the country's scientific development since 1976. He has worked in various organizations for scientific advancement in Venezuela, Latin America and the world over, and has written for national and international publications on subjects ranging from the development of alternative energy sources to the tragic ‘Night of Broken Glass’ carried out by Nazi Germany in 1938. He discussed the importance of science within Venezuela's institutional framework in the mid-20th century, and how to make Latin America into a continent of science, knowledge and technology. He concluded that the country needs to connect with the academic sector, with institutions where there may be scientific development, and that the production sector's competitiveness can be based on knowledge and not only on comparative advantages, like access to natural resources and fiscal benefits. Finally, he concluded that Venezuela needs to develop its competitiveness through knowledge rather than competitive advantages.
Publicerad : 2 år sedan förbi i Science
Out of the with the greatest investment in research and development (R&D) in 2021, none were in Latin America. Many will thereby say that Latin America is not setting the right trajectory for scientific development.
However, the outlook isn't entirely bleak. Researchers like Professor Emeritus Benjamín Scharifker of Venezuela battle on by addressing the areas required to create a continent of innovation and development.
Scharifker has experienced the most important historic periods in Venezuela's scientific development. In 1976, he graduated from , of which he was rector from 2005 until 2009, and obtained his PhD in Physical Chemistry from the in 1979 . Since then, he has worked in various organizations for scientific advancement in Venezuela, Latin America and the world over. He has also received several awards. Today, he works as a Professor Emeritus at his alma mater, the Simón Bolívar University.
As a chemist by training, Scharifker has done extensive research on nucleation processes, which are key in the formation of various polymers and the development of clean energy. In the 1980s he served as Associate Director of the Hydrogen Research Center at Texas A&M University. He has also worked on nanotechnology, fossil fuels and electrocatalysis.
He has written for national and international publications on subjects ranging from the development of alternative energy sources to , the tragic ‘Night of Broken Glass’ carried out by Nazi Germany in 1938.
We caught up with him to find out his views on science in Venezuela today, the lessons learned throughout its history and and how to make Latin America into a continent of science, knowledge and technology.
Elías Haig: What lessons do you think history has taught us on scientific development in Venezuela?
Benjamín Scharifker: In Venezuela, we have a science history that dates back many centuries, even as far back as the pre-Columbian era. However, to answer your question, it must be noted that we really only began to understand the importance of science within Venezuela's institutional framework in the mid-20th century, by founding institutions for its promotion. One such example was the foundation of the Faculty of Sciences in the (UCV) in 1958. Although scientific disciplines already existed in Venezuela, they were based in the Faculty of Engineering. From this period came the notion that without scientific independence, economic, cultural and political independence would be not be possible for Venezuela. However, the Venezuelan industry didn't seek to develop its competitiveness through knowledge. It instead chose to find it through technologies that could be sourced overseas to instantly meet Venezuelan production needs The late 20th century saw a reversal in this process via the oil industry. Demand for oil products in the international market was running low. Faced with this situation, action was required to maintain Venezuela's competitiveness within the international oil industry. Unfortunately, due to various circumstances in the 21st century, this trend was reversed and we shifted to the simple exploitation of natural resources. I would say we have learned lessons. Not only do we need to increase scientific supply, but to also stimulate its demand. Also, we must understand that the production sector's competitiveness can be based on knowledge and not only on comparative advantages, like access to natural resources and fiscal benefits.
E.H.: I am struck by the imbalance between the country's scientific supply and demand, causing a disconnect between the Venezuelan science sector and production needs. So, what steps should be taken to further develop Venezuela's scientific research?
The production sector really needs to connect with the academic sector, with institutions where there may be scientific development. This inevitably calls for meaningful dialogue. For example, this has worked out very well with China's implemented since 2000. However, there is no such dialogue in Venezuela. For Venezuelan industrialists, investments must have short-term returns. With this in mind, Venezuela never quite manages to conquer international markets due to basing its attractiveness on comparative advantages, like fiscal benefits or natural location, rather than competitive advantages. For example, the new (white corn flour) market depends on the demand for this product among the 7 million Venezuelan migrants in their new countries. This added-value is not based on development, but instead takes advantage of the current situation. Other examples, like Venezuelan rum, have built their international success on quality. When you buy Venezuelan rum, you know it has been aged in an oak barrel for a minimum of two years. So, I don't believe much scientific knowledge has been added to the production of these two examples, We're still exploiting traditional products. Developing positive industry and science relations, with meaningful dialogue, is key in ensuring Venezuela's further scientific development.
E.H.: Given the current state of Venezuela's university sector, where public universities with the most scientific publications are on the verge of closure due to a lack of funding and government support, what is the outlook for science without universities?
B.S.: This situation is extremely precarious. In my own experience, colleagues and students from my laboratory at Simón Bolívar University have gone abroad due to the impossibility of continuing in Venezuela. This is especially true for Simón Bolívar University, which is on the outskirts of Caracas and extremely difficult for students and teachers to reach if no transport is provided. Also, teachers’ salaries are low, thus forcing them to give up university teaching in this country to go abroad or change professions. Until we resolve these major structural problems, we cannot resolve any scientific issues. Science is a manifestation of culture and human development. Without human development, there is no scientific development. Where did the major scientific breakthroughs occur at certain points in history? Where there were major waves of human development. We can see this in the Middle East, imperial Spain or even in the United States today. As these are historical cycles, we may soon see this in China. However, it remains to be seen whether or not human development will be achieved. Although we must resolve Venezuela's major economic, social and political problems for robust science, we must also strengthen science for human development to thrive.
E.H.: What is your message for those of us who dream of being part of the next generation of Venezuelans to take on the challenge of scientific development in our country?
B.S.: My first piece of advice is that you seek to do what you're passionate about. There's nothing more valuable than the passion one may have for doing something. If you're not passionate about doing it, then you may do well, but won't do great. The other is that you ask yourself how to realistically create the conditions required for conducting their life project. A life project that cannot be completed alone, but only with support. You will need resources and teams to support you in this endeavor. And I can't give advice there. In my particular case, I have faced dilemmas, at one point or another, where I took advantage of the opportunities I was given abroad and decided, at some point in my life, to work in Venezuela. I managed to obtain financial and human resources to achieve this, but there came a time at which everything became unfeasible, and my peers and colleagues went overseas. Then came a new phase in which I either had to reconstitute my laboratory here or find a way of continuing my research elsewhere. These are complex situations, on which I can't give you any specific recommendations and that will have to be resolved on a case-by-case basis. And that's the challenge.
Ämnen: Venezuela