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EMERGING INFORMATION COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY (ICT) OPPORTUNITIES FOR SUSTAINABLE INDIGENOUS INNOVATIONS AND TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES PN Sopazi Faculty of Engineering and Science: Walter Sisulu University for Technology and Science TN Andrew Faculty Engineering and Built Environment: University of Johannesburg

Abstract This paper discusses the philosophy behind the term innovation with a specific reference to electronic communication or Information Communication Technologies (ICTs). Electronic means of communication in South Africa and indeed in the whole of Africa, are not equally accessible to all. There are still disparities in terms of access to electronic communication facilities by people in the rural areas, compared to those in the urban areas. As part of trying to bridge this digital divide, the South African government has vigorously promoted the installation of telecentres in rural parts of the country. However, most of these telecentres did not and are still not achieving the envisaged goals of information and technology transfer. This article discusses the possibilities and opportunities that exist when innovations and technology transfer are considered within the context of the language, culture and other Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS). The authors suggest that such considerations will not only make innovations and technology transfer efficient and effective, but also sustainable and accessible to all. Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) opportunities as well as some of the other latest trends in ICT development, and their impact in developing countries are discussed. Keywords: Technology Transfer; Innovation; Indigenous Knowledge Systems, FOSS.

1.

Introduction

For a long time in the developing countries European and Western systems, such as Western science and technology, and language and culture, dominated. Innovations have also been thought about in the context of Western and European Systems of knowledge. The authors argue that innovations, by way of altering or adapting the natural resources to suitably serve our perceived needs, have always existed in all groups of people. The tendency to lean more towards the Western knowledge systems has been the convenience due to these systems having an explicit format, in that they “can be articulated in formal language including grammatical statements, mathematical expressions, specifications, manuals, and so forth”[1]. On the other hand, the indigenous people have traditional

knowledge, which is mostly tacit or hard to explain with formal language [1]. In other words the indigenous people can know more than they can tell [2]. These two systems of knowledge (Western and Traditional) could contribute to the betterment of living conditions through innovations, if they both gain equal recognition on the platform of creativity and knowledge transfer. It therefore becomes necessary to pay attention to the cultures and different languages that are spoken in communities from which these knowledge systems come because knowledge is best understood in the context of one’s culture and language. The authors argue that sustainable innovation and technology transfer are possible only if the word transfer is understood as meaning bi-directional sharing rather than a unidirectional process. If the transmitter (or ‘transferrer’) is willing to switch to receive mode sometimes, and thus be a transceiver, room for innovation from both ends is created. On the other hand, if this process is viewed as being, or supposed to be, only unidirectional, then sustainability becomes an unrealistic goal to achieve. The importance of this discussion stems from the understanding that it is usually the case that those who see themselves as the ones transferring technology or knowledge, tend to outline certain prerequisites for access to their technology. Some of these prerequisites are that, the intended recipients must learn certain sciences, learn a new foreign language and to some extent even adopt the culture of the place where the technology comes from, as well as acquire such tools as computers . This usually impacts negatively on the moral aspects of the communities for whom the technology adoption is intended. The issues of morality are safeguarded by culture and language without which, moral degeneration takes place. An immoral society is unable to innovate positively, because innovation is encouraged by the desire to better the world and its living conditions. Too much time is spent on trying to align the indigenous people with technology by changing them, instead of adapting the technology according to the needs and abilities of the intended recipients. Translation of all technology information into local languages must take place. The fear that translations will introduce an undesirable time factor into the equation must not exist because it is already taking forever anyway to transfer technology into indigenous communities, due to the prerequisites that have already been discussed. When this adaptation or translation or whatever is required is done then, not only will the process of technology transfer be faster, but there will also be an influx of innovations from both the transferring communities and those that are meant to be receiving. This bidirectional process has potential to enhance the original thoughts and designs of that particular piece of technology. When people deal with concepts in their own languages and in the context of their own cultures, they not only understand them better, but also enhance them with their rich indigenous knowledge and systems, and that also makes the process sustainable, as everyone will be having a sense of ownership and responsibility. The authors are well aware that in certain instances, the slow pace or nonexistence of technology transfer was, and sometimes still is, a result of political and economic reasons. While this is true, the authors argue that, even when the political and economic climate is supportive and conducive, the barriers stated in this paper continue to inhibit the process of innovation and technology transfer.

Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) have become one of the efficient ways of transferring technology. However, the problem is that not everyone has access to them, especially the rural communities of developing countries, where the majority of the indigenous citizens live. To acquire even skills such as mathematics, the growing trend is that schools must have computers with software packages for mathematics. In addition to having computers, there are now expectations that there must also be Internet access and that the teachers must learn to use computers and the new packages in order to teach effectively. All of these issues are adding to the list of barriers to information transfer. The reality however, is that even if people were to have such tools as computers, they would not be able to maintain them and remain on the cutting edge of technological changes and advancements, due to socio-political challenges. These challenges include wars, health care, cost of software and licensing, and so on. The authors’ view is that dependency on non-affordable means to technology should either, be removed and replaced with other creative ways, or ICTs must be free and open for all to use without constraints. It is debatable whether all engineering and technology come from western forms of science, or that all the peoples of the world have always engineered their solutions, though some of them had never received Western or European science training. The opportunities that exist now are enormous, due to the recognition of the importance of not undermining indigenous knowledge that exists in the developing countries. Countries such as South Africa, Brazil and India are embarking on campaigns to bring about indigenous knowledge awareness to its citizens. Research in this area is encouraged by national institutions such as the National Research Foundation (NRF) of South Africa, and as well as by the South African Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). The use of Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) and Ubuntu Linux, is now opening doors to everyone to access, explore, use, change, adapt, modify and translate into other languages. This freedom relieves people of the fear of licensing litigation and being controlled by others, and instead it allows flexibility and innovation.

2.

Indigenous Innovations, Sustainability and Technology Transfer in Developing Countries

The term indigenous innovation has the same meaning as the following terms: traditional innovation, rural people’s innovation, farmers’ innovation, local innovation and community innovation, and indeed other related terms. The distinctions between these terms are subtle, but in general they refer to the same concept [3],[4],[5]. Generally, the term innovation in this article refers to an idea that is new or perceived to be new or altered [6],[7]. If this new idea or improvement of the resources is accomplished through traditional methods or knowledge systems, then it is called an indigenous innovation [8]. It is often the case that, indigenous innovations are environmentally friendly and sustainable when compared with scientific innovations. Research shows that scientific innovations such as CloroFluroCarbons (CFC), Nuclear Power Plants, Synthetic

pesticides, and Depleted Uranium have brought about destruction to both humans and the environment they live in. “Modern technology provides the means for the immediate destruction of world civilization through nuclear weapons and for the long range destruction through the depletion of natural resources and pollution of the environment” [9]. The irony is that scientific knowledge is usually well researched and therefore predictable to a large degree, and yet sustainability of scientific discoveries is always threatened. While this is true, it should also be acknowledged that “…modern technology also provides potential means for greatly enhancing the standard of living for the Third World (sic) as it already has done for the technologically advanced nations.” [9]. The indigenous communities have always been innovative but mainly not for commercial reasons. These innovations have been in the areas of farming, traditional healing using traditional herbs, and the making of domestic equipment such as, underground cold storage systems, clay pots, grass mats, mud stoves, traditional musical instruments and so on, all of which were and are environmentally friendly. For example, in Vietnam they are applying indigenous knowledge on Upland Cultivation and apparently through trial and error experiences (experiments) they have evolved production systems that are quite efficient in terms of economic and environmental considerations [10]. Both, Hall [11] and Meredith [12] acknowledge the fact that scientists alone cannot develop the necessary comprehensive knowledge base, although they are adding to our knowledge through their discoveries. In order to ensure that innovations are sustainable it is important to consider and recognize the roles that both systems (indigenous and scientific knowledge) could play. This way one system will compensate for the shortcomings of the other. In order for this concept of equal recognition to work, both systems and all the relevant stakeholders should be involved in the planning and design and one or the other should not be incorporated only afterwards. Rogers [7] argues that the innovators give little attention to consequences. These very consequences are the ones that make inventions and innovations unsustainable. In view of the discussion above the authors now need to discuss the subject of technology in the context of developing countries and indeed how to transfer it. Developing countries are the ones where indigenous ways are still alive to a larger degree, especially in the rural parts of these countries. It is perhaps important to define the terms, technology and transfer, as they are understood in the context of this discussion. Technology is sometimes defined in terms of its physical manifestation, i.e. hardware or manufacturing [13]. It is argued by other authors that the human element cannot be excluded in the definition as these physical artifacts are made possible by human or tacit [2] development capabilities that reside in the minds of research and development (R&D) engineers [14]. In view of the foregoing discussion, in this paper the term technology refers to both knowledge (Indigenous knowledge or foreign knowledge) and hardware [14]. The term transfer is also defined in a limiting way by many authors. The definition of technology transfer that views the process in a unidirectional way as opposed to the bi-directional one as already mentioned in the introduction of this paper is limiting and not allowing enhancements to also come from the side of the intended recipient. As a result of this way of thinking, very little has been done to try to make the

technology accessible in the context of the language and culture of the indigenous communities. Technology transfer should not only be about transmission, but it should also be about absorption (i.e. Transfer = Transmission + Absorption). This absorption is not easy if the people who the technology is intended for have to first learn new skills inorder to use it and understand it.

3.

Emerging ICT Opportunities in Africa and the Latest Trends and Impacts on Technology Transfer

The focus of this discussion will be on computer software packages, computer networking and computer programming in the so-called developing world and more specifically in Africa. In Africa, the literacy levels are low and the telecommunication infrastructure is poor and in some areas it does not even exist, and yet there is a lot of talk about technology transfer. It must be acknowledged however that, there are many NonGovernment Organizations (NGOs), and International Agencies such as, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as well as the International Development Research Centre(IDRC), that are involved in the attempt to improve the situation in the developing countries. While this is welcomed, the reality is that due to economic reasons many people still do not have access to electronic communication means. For any technology to be transferred, there is a need for it to be communicated to the intended recipients. These days the common way of achieving communication over a distance is the use of electronic communication. The cost of access to technological information is the main barrier. It is a barrier in the following ways: • People have to learn a foreign language and this costs in terms of money and time. • People have to learn and put up with a new culture that the technology is bringing. • People have to receive training well in advance before the roll out of a new technology [15]. This training is often conducted in a foreign setting (i.e. foreign language and using foreign equipment etc.). • Cost of software is very high The emerging ICTs are aimed at overcoming these barriers. The advent of Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) has opened many doors for innovation. First of all this means that, software is free for everyone to download with out any costs and use freely. Considering the fact that much of the money used to access technology goes into the purchasing of software than the acquisition of hardware, therefore this freedom on its own is remarkable as it removes many barriers and fears such as license litigation. The fact that people will now have free access to source code means that they can adapt the software to best suit their situations. Already in South Africa, there are many people who are involved in the translation of Linux and other software into the 11 official languages. Some academic institutions are now using open source software programs. Due to these developments the digital divide between the developing and developed world is being reduced. This therefore, creates opportunities for developing countries to participate in the technological developments, because these days just about almost every new technology is software based.

Ubuntu linux is freely available for everyone to use and people are ordering free copies of the operating system software and these copies are delivered on their door-steps free of charge. This therefore means that everyone will have access to software regardless of their economic conditions. Students from previously disadvantaged backgrounds are teaching themselves how to program using FOSS. According to the GO-open Source TV programme in South Africa there are already cases of young people who have not even entered the tertiary institutions yet, but already they have software businesses and they are writing software (programming) games using free software. There are programming languages such as Python, Octave and others that are now being used at institutions of higher learning by lecturers and learners. Research on software engineering education in South Africa that was conducted on some of the top previously and currently advantaged universities indicates that South Africa, like other most developing countries, is experiencing a major shortage of skills in the Information Technology (IT) sector [16]. This situation alluded to above is soon going to change because learners can now work from their residential places using free software programs and experiment more because everything is free and available. Organizations such as the Shuttleworth Foundation are rigorously promoting FOSS even at government departments in South Africa. The home affairs department in South Africa is now also considering the use of FOSS because of its many advantages. According to Achernig [17] of the International Institute for Software Technology at the United Nations University, a group in Argentina has developed an optimized Linux version that is tailored to the needs of Argentinian users. They have an operating system that is executed from the CD, which does not require installation. In order to overcome the infrastructure problems in Africa, relatively cheap Open Source Software (OSS) projects are now being embarked upon. Examples are thin-client solutions in Nigeria, a Linux wireless router in Ghana and projects on radio e-mail in Guinea and all of these initiatives are coordinated by the FOSS Foundation For Africa[16].

4.

Conclusion

The reality is that everyone needs to use technological, engineering and scientific innovations one way or another. Another reality is that, these technologies, scientific discoveries and inventions come with numerous challenges and some of the challenges are life-threatening. And yet another reality is that not everyone is able to contribute towards the development of innovations due economic reasons and yet everyone is affected one way or another by the consequences of these innovations. It is therefore, necessary to ensure that all categories of stakeholders are involved in any innovation. The reason for this is that, all the people can then contribute towards the solution of the world’s problems, and one way to do that is to remove all the obstacles mentioned in this paper. Let the world of Western and European Sciences merge with the world of Indigenous Knowledge Systems

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