Meso

There’s a repetitive rise and fall of civilization in Mesoamerica. Because of this, different groups were
credited with the different inventions and contributions. Like the systems of cosmology and
mathematics which was established by the Maya shaman group. Another was the use of three
calendars: solar, ritual and long count calendar. They also introduced the evidence of zero as a number.
Other important scientific revolution that happened in Mesoamerica were their belief in the cycles of
planets and celestial beings like the sun, and the moon; they also built observatories which helped in
their agricultural and architectural calculations.

These times was also known for the creation of “maize” or corn which became one of the most used
crop until now. Rubber was another invention in this period that made a great impact to our world.

Asia
Science and technology in Asia is varied depending on the country and time. In the past, the
Asian civilizations most notable for their contributions to science and technology
were India, China and the West Asian civilizations. At present, probably the most notable country in
Asia in terms of its technological and scientific achievement is Japan, which is particularly known for
its electronics and automobile products. In recent years, China and India have also once again
become major contributors to science and technology. Other countries are also notable in other
scientific fields such as chemical and physics achievements.
Middle east

SCIENTIFIC research in the Arabian, Persian and Turkish Middle East lags behind that of the
west. Of course, there are individual scientists who produce world-class research and there are
institutions and nations which make significant contributions in certain fields. Publication and
citation indicators show some encouraging trends. But naturally one asks: “Why have Arab,
Persian and Turkish scientists as a group underperformed compared with their colleagues in the
west or with those rising in the east?”

It is simplistic to say that there is a single cause, such as a (false) dichotomy between faith and
reason. Muslims are no different from anyone else; there is no ethnic or geographic monopoly on
intelligence. Muslims in Spain, north Africa and Arabia were at the peak of a sophisticated
civilisation when Christian Europe was in the Dark Ages.

I think the answer lies in the recent history of the Arab, Persian and Turkish world. Consider
what happened in the past century. First there was colonisation by western empires, which
installed class and caste systems from outside. The result was huge populations of illiterate
peasants. Illiteracy reached nearly 50 per cent, and among women it was as high as 80 per cent in
many countries. When colonisation ended after the second world war, these countries looked to
the superpowers for help, first west then east. And when the cold war ended, there was only one
place left to look: up. That search for answers has been exploited by some to politicise religion.

It goes without saying that the developing world should help itself. The Middle East must not
think itself incapable of competing with developed nations. But in addressing the gap, one must
bear in mind a history that has resulted in large populations of frustrated people who lack real
opportunity.

Many graduates in the Middle East are without jobs. What are their options? Their energy must
not be allowed to be diverted into fanaticism and violence. In contrast to the silver wave faced by
rest of the world, the Arab world is facing a youth wave. These young people can achieve great
things in science if they are given the chance.

I see three essential ingredients for progress. First is the building of human resources by
promoting literacy, ensuring participation of women in society and improving education. Second,
there is a need to reform national constitutions to allow freedom of thought, minimise
bureaucracy, reward merit, and create credible- and enforceable- legal codes.

The recent revolutions in Egypt, Tunisia and elsewhere show that these changes are possible.
Over the past two decades I have been involved in promoting political and educational reforms,
and I feel we now have an opportunity to make a real change.

“In the light of recent revolutions in Egypt and Tunisia, I

now think real changes are possible”
Thirdly, the best way to regain self-confidence is to start centres of excellence in science and
technology in each Muslim country to show that Muslims can compete in today’s globalised
economy and to instil in the youth the desire for learning. It is gratifying to see such centres
being set up in Turkey, Malaysia, Indonesia, Qatar and elsewhere. In Egypt I am reviving the
National Project for the Development of Science and Technology, which the Mubarak regime
made every effort to derail despite the overwhelming support of the Egyptian people.

What can the developed world do? First and foremost it can partner with Middle East nations to
improve their research capabilities. It can also offer aid, but only under certain circumstances.
Aid packages are usually distributed among many projects with no follow-up, leading to
diffusion of resources and a lack of impact. Better results can be achieved by directing a
significant fraction of the assistance to programmes of excellence selected to build up both
infrastructure and human resources.

Aid must also be depoliticised. The use of an aid programme to help totalitarian or undemocratic
regimes is a big mistake. In the long run it is far better to be on the side of the people, not on the
side of a dictator.

Such partnerships aimed at improving science and technology in the Arabian, Persian and
Turkish Middle East are in the best interests of both the developed and the developing worlds, as
knowledge-based societies are better equipped to be part of the world economy. They will also
contribute to progress and enlightenment, and hence peaceful coexistence and a more civilised
and truly global humanity.
Africa
African leaders have pledged to devote more resources to the development of science and
technology, an area deemed vital for economic development, yet long neglected and poorly funded
in many countries. At a January 2007 summit of the continent’s political body, the African Union,
heads of state “strongly urged” all AU countries to allocate at least 1 per cent of their gross domestic
product to research and development by 2020. They also pledged to revitalize African universities —
many of which have declined due to dwindling support over the last few decades — and to promote
the study of science and technology by young people.
Declaring 2007 the year of science and technology, the leaders, who met in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia,
agreed to a series of other initiatives. These included establishing a pan-African intellectual property
organization to help protect indigenous innovations and starting on a 20-year strategy to promote
cooperation among states on research in biotechnology. The programmes would be run by the
continent’s various regional economic organizations.
The decisions build on and enhance Africa’s Science and Technology Consolidated Plan of Action.
The plan was launched in 2005 by the AU and the secretariat of the New Partnership for Africa’s
Development (NEPAD), the continent’s overall blueprint for economic and political advancement.
The science plan is intended to develop an African system of research and technological innovation
to support AU and NEPAD programmes in areas such as agriculture, the environment,
infrastructure, industry and education. It envisions a science and technology sector that is inclusive
— drawing on knowledge and ideas from rural dwellers (custodians of indigenous knowledge),
students, academic researchers and representatives of industry and government.