Ideas for Industry, Science and Technology in Venezuela

3) INDUSTRY AND TECHNOLOGY

This is part of all the ideas for Venezuela.

3.1. PROMOTE THE DEVELOPMENT OF TECHNOLOGY THAT BENEFIT THE COUNTRY:

Let me be clear: scientists should be free to explore in whatever they want as long as the research is ethical. Still, the government should actively promote a little bit more the development of technology that helps us become more competitive. To this end, the national and state governments should promote prizes for the best student projects to develop local technology, replace foreign products, produce possible products for export or in any other sense contribute to a sustainable development.

The Asociación Civil Eureka is a good example to follow, but there should be more such organizations and all universities should promote their activities with more energy.

3.2. PROMOTE DISCUSSION ABOUT TECHNOLOGIES TO DEVELOP

The state governments and the institutions of higher education should organise yearly a congress open to everybody where students and teachers, government officials and entrepreneurs can discuss about what possible technologies Venezuela can develop and reach a reasonable comparative advantage in the world economy.

What can come out of those fairs?

• brainstorming sessions for state functionaries meeting students, teachers and entrepreneurs
  
• possible ideas for university spin-offs
• agreements between the institutions of higher education and companies

3.3. CREATE A MECHANISM THROUGH INTERNET FOR BRAINSTORMING ABOUT TECHNOLOGY AND VENEZUELA'S DEVELOPMENT

Universities, research centres, companies should have a well-known channel through which they can constantly contact the Ministry of Industry and Development and the Ministry of Education to propose possible focuses for research, scholarships for students abroad and governmental subventions for startups.

3.4. THE MINISTER OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY SHOULD BE ELECTED BASED PRIMARILY ON SCIENTIFIC AND MANAGERIAL RECORDS

The national government should have a minister of Science and Technology who has been selected by the universities and scientific institutions of the country. Political affiliation should be irrelevant.

3.5. PROMOTE STRONGER TIES WITH GERMANY'S ACADEMIC WORLD

The German Academic Exchange Service or DAAD is the main German support organisation for international academic co-operation. The Venezuelan government should increase its cooperation with it. Although Venezuelan scientists can profit from studies in Germany, Venezuela should focus now a little bit more on having Germans teach Venezuelans in Venezuela.