Today’s world is very competitive especially with the limitation of resources. Government is accountable to justify to one’s society the outcome from every expenditure made.
People would like to see the result and benefits or outcome for every government’s programs, as Mhd Fairos Asillama and Mustafa Din Subaria in their study entitled Space Science and Nation’s Development: Evaluating the Benefits of Space Science, in 2017.
Therefore, space science studies should count the economic benefits earned after 60 years since the beginning of the space age, but when remains unanswered. Space science due to the fact that their activities are losing to applied and commercial research which outcomes seem tangible and directly benefiting end users, the scholars argue.
As the scholars identified in their study, recently, there has been a considerable concern about the future of basic research because of purported changes in the nature of knowledge production and increasing pressures on scientists to demonstrate the social and economic benefits of their work.
However, apart from profit driven research (mainly applied research) to design new or better products, there is another important but often neglected dimension in R&D, namely, basic research (Prettner & Werner, 2016), the above mentioned scholars used them and said, “nevertheless, we believed that space science is still relevant, if not play a major role in the next 50 years”.
Similarly, on the recent press conference collaboratively organized by Ethiopian Space Science Technology Institute and Society, the space science innovation is not only aiming understanding the universe, but also forecasting the future changes which may show significance input on the economic aspects in the future.
Following the International Astronomical Union (IAU) selection of Ethiopia to name the star HD16175 and planet HD16175b as a reward for the space science commitment the nation has made recently, the collaborators said that it initiates Ethiopians to forward the already started efforts on space innovation.
Ethiopian Space Science Technology Institute General Director Dr. Solomon Belay, says that innovation in the sector does not necessarily have immediate and direct input in the economic development. “It fosters the image of the nation and guarantees international innovation aids, opportunities and interests.”
As he congratulated Ethiopians, appreciating the opportunity IAU has given to the country name the star and planet as arecognition to the efforts Ethiopia has been making in innovation development in the last year and half, he called on the youth to develop interests on astronomical innovations.
“The recognition given to the Ethiopia’s historical efforts in space science innovations must continue demonstrating international impact in the sector. Though Ethiopia’s history of innovation is not well organized and documented, Ethiopians had great roles in the space study like Greeks, Arabs, Europeans and others,” Dr. Solomon noted.
The Ethiopian government has prioritized space and technological innovations through more than doubling its budget, space science technological innovation policy formation, national and continental capacity building, streaming the sector and many more in the last fifteen years although the previous year saw radical shift, Dr. Solomon added.
Dr. Solomon reiterated that it makes Ethiopia the fourth African country to officially name star and planet following Egypt, South Africa and Nigeria.
Ethiopian Space Science Society Director General Beza Tesfaye, for her part, says that space science innovation is about the brand image building and forecasting historical standard the nation has developed. “It is about capitalizing the innovation in the future economic development through technology but not for immediate economic input.”
In the same manner Phawulos Alemayehu, Chair Person of Volunteering Public Relation Steering Committee with the Society, says that space science innovation development requires envisioning the future global impact creation but not immediate economic input.
He recalled those who were the reason for the society’s formation in addition to the government’s role in the cooperating organizations, the Space Science Society and Space Science Technology Institute.
He reiterated, “Tefera Waluwa is considered as the father of the Ethiopia’s Space Science as he played essential roles in organizing the society and insisting the government to pay attention to it. He worked with the 47 founders of the society. As well, Sheikh Ali Mohammed Allahmuhiddin is highly appreciated for backing the society both financially and with advices.”
And Tefera Waluwa was awarded an honorable membership of the International Astronomical Union as the only non-scientist member due to the impact and interest he developed. “This is about the nations goodwill achievement that would add to the status Ethiopia should have,” Phawulos furthers.
According to the other member of the Volunteering Public Relation Steering Committee with the Society Seyoum Bereket, space science is very essential for the development of a nation in innovation. “It does not directly seem that it has economic input immediately, but the youth and scholars must focus on the innovation bearing in mind its future achievement and work towards the international standards.”
The media also have critical roles in motivating the generation to develop interest in the sector, Seyoum reiterated adding that other prosperous businessmen should follow the footstep of Sheikh Ali Mohammed Allahmuhiddin in supporting the astronomical innovations.
Therefore, the young generation and the government have to keep on the already recognized efforts to enhance the internationally competent and innovative Ethiopia.
The Ethiopian Herald June 7/2019
BY DIRRIBA TESHOME
