1

It is an honour for me to be here It is an honour for me to be here at APS meeting and invited as at APS meeting and invited as Marshak lecturshipMarshak lecturship

Thanks a lot to the organizers for Thanks a lot to the organizers for the invitationthe invitation

2

Scientists in Developing Countries: Scientists in Developing Countries: is there an effective way to support is there an effective way to support

meaningful research?meaningful research? Z. Ben Lakhdar-Faculty of Sciences-University el Manar, Tunis- TunisiaZ. Ben Lakhdar-Faculty of Sciences-University el Manar, Tunis- Tunisia

APS Meeting -March 13-17 , 2006, Baltimore-USA APS Meeting -March 13-17 , 2006, Baltimore-USA

Developing Countries in the world

Scientists in developing countries

Research in Developing countries

Which way for research development in developing countries? An example

ConclusionConclusion

3

World Population in 2004: 6,134 billions

2050 world Population : 9,3 billions European Pop. x 0,91 China Pop. x1,10

Pop. developed countries increase 4% Pop. developing countries 55%In 2050 Pop. developing countries ~85% of the world populationPopulation in both developed and developing countries will be older than today

The future ? Science shows that The world is one and leads to the conclusion that the future is common !

Increase of population (I.P)

Developing Countries in the world

4

Africa colonised!Africa colonised! Independence ~1960

Situation of African Countries As example of Developing countries situation in the world

-Africa has the poorest nations in the world-Africa Population: 900 millions (2005), -Africa Population: 900 millions (2005), In 2050; African Population will be x 2,21-Actually ~45 % less than 15 years oldActually ~45 % less than 15 years old- in some countries, only 5% of children study science --illiteracy, illness, poverty--no vision for the future- high bureaucracy -Incoherent policy of the local authorities

-All African countries has been colonized for ~one century and get Independence in sixtees-Countries have many dialects such As Official language in poorest ones is French or English

LanguageFamiLanguageFamilieslies

At independence, each nation, except South Africa, is in « mean At independence, each nation, except South Africa, is in « mean age » age » They have never known industrial revolution, and yet in the They have never known industrial revolution, and yet in the civilization of new technology!civilization of new technology! How can Africa be involved in the new revolution, adopt the new How can Africa be involved in the new revolution, adopt the new civilization ?civilization ?

5

In 10 years, in 2000 ~ 15% of the world population use In 10 years, in 2000 ~ 15% of the world population use internet internet

( ~1 Billion internautes), Africa use : 1,7%( ~1 Billion internautes), Africa use : 1,7%

In 2005: foreign direct investment flows to Africa is the lowest*(2,8% of the world investments )

36,7%36,7%

7,3%7,3%

23,8%23,8%

1,7%1,7%

1,8%1,8%

In 1990 In 1990 digital revolution- new economy, new society, new digital revolution- new economy, new society, new life, …life, …

Distribution of Internet per continent: Distribution of Internet per continent: (~2004) (~2004)

6

In East Africa, for a population of In East Africa, for a population of 250 Millions,250 Millions, total active PhD total active PhD Physicists is Physicists is ~140 ! ~140 ! East Africa,~12 countries, from Sudan to Swaziland, Population~250Millions, ~140 research active PhD! even in South Africa, ~1PhD physicist / 140.000people; in US:1PhD/8000

Scientists in Developing countries - Scientists in Africa:

TechnologyTechnology

NoNo

knowledgeknowledgeResearchResearchDevelopmentDevelopment

(in 2004)~ 200 scientific researchers / Million of hab. in North Africa for 2500 to 3000 / million of hab. in developed countriesFor each country, the total number of scientific papers published worldwide is ~ the rate of its contribution to the world economy Africa scientific contribution is less than 3 % over the 5 last years!

Africa has

7

Research and Development is connected to the investment, this figure is an index

of Africa undevelopment. Africa invests 0,6% with 0,3% is for South Africa!

Afrique(0,6)

S.Afrique(0,3)

France4,4

Source:Unesco global investment in R&D Today (2003)From the Global invest

Invest. in R&D (2003)*

Research in Developing Africa – Investment R&D?

8

So Is there an effective way to So Is there an effective way to support meaningful research?support meaningful research?

--- African countries can be classified in regions:North Africa, West Africa , Central Africa, East Africa, South Africa wit different levels. The development of which is different andis increasing, so possible and leads to a hope for Africa.

-The future is common -The future is common ((In 2050 Pop. developing countries ~85% of the world population, sustainable development needs contribution of all people)

- The oil of to morrow is intelligence, is young people- The oil of to morrow is intelligence, is young people

- Many associations, different structures (regional or International) look for the Africa Development ( look at sites ref.) but the development is through science - This is the mission of scientists

9

To develop research in developing countries suppose: To develop research in developing countries suppose:

to begin from nothingto begin from nothing : : absence of equipment, of infrastructure, of technology, of absence of equipment, of infrastructure, of technology, of environment! of tradition; of language of researchenvironment! of tradition; of language of research

to accept to work with bureaucracyto accept to work with bureaucracy, , with no cohernt politic!...so with no cohernt politic!...so to look for solutions to look for solutions

andand to realise at each time thatto realise at each time that the know how acquired overseas (scientists get PhD in developed the know how acquired overseas (scientists get PhD in developed

countries ) needs to be actualisedcountries ) needs to be actualised, you need, you need training; training; knowledge evolutes very fast, research “way” changes!knowledge evolutes very fast, research “way” changes!

Which way for research development in developing countries?

10

Which way for research development in developing countries?

We are in: We are in: New world , world of a new revolution induced by:New world , world of a new revolution induced by:

Digital language (new langage) + new technologies (optics, photonics, ..)Digital language (new langage) + new technologies (optics, photonics, ..)Characterized byCharacterized by : Speed, Universality, Competitivity, Globalization: Speed, Universality, Competitivity, Globalization

Research is done byResearch is done by - computer in all areas of science - computer in all areas of science - new kind of equipment: Not heavy, not expensive, - new kind of equipment: Not heavy, not expensive,

( or very huge one for multinational communauty)( or very huge one for multinational communauty) - and connexion by internet- and connexion by internet

This new world , This new world , is is world of intelligence (knowledge) ! And concerned by world of intelligence (knowledge) ! And concerned by Sustainable developmentSustainable development

Is it Possible to Africa to be in this revolution and take the train!?Is it Possible to Africa to be in this revolution and take the train!?The answar is YesThe answar is Yes - - It is easier than before , digital revolution gives a chance to developing countries:It is easier than before , digital revolution gives a chance to developing countries:

researcher is no more isolated ! Scientists can help and researcher is no more isolated ! Scientists can help and and Exist potentialities ready for research development in many countries in Africa.

11

Which way for research devt. in developing countries? I will present an example of way research devt choice in Tunisia as developing country-

12

~1960: Tunisian University creation

- 1 Faculty of Sciences, - ~500 students; 3% (female)

- 2 PhD over the population!

1967: ~ 10 PhD over the population ( ~6 Millions)

Students future????????

1999, Creation of the first structure for research

0

50000

100000

150000

200000

250000

300000

350000

400000

450000

500000

nbred'étudiants

nbre defilles

1980

1990

2000

2010

Which way for research development in developing countries?

investment in education, in women

1956 Independence, the government priorities: wome becomes equal to men in law in 1956 , 1956 Independence, the government priorities: wome becomes equal to men in law in 1956 , investment in education! The result of that is seen below!investment in education! The result of that is seen below!

Tunisia research development

13

Research in Tunisia has in 2005 an Research in Tunisia has in 2005 an investment of 1% of its GDP and is investment of 1% of its GDP and is actually strudtured with laboratories, actually strudtured with laboratories, units of research, presence of women in units of research, presence of women in all economic areas and particularly in all economic areas and particularly in education, centres of research for education, centres of research for desertification, biotechnology, desertification, biotechnology, telecommunications, .. And an increasing telecommunications, .. And an increasing of the number of researchers . of the number of researchers .

14

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

Women Men

Prof

Lect

Ass,prof,

Ass,

Agreg

PositionPosition Prof.Prof. Lect.Lect. Ass. Ass. Prof.Prof.

Ass.Ass. AgreAgregg

Women/Women/TotalTotal

6/706/70 12/7612/76 67/3367/3344

82/2482/2400

3/433/43

Present distribution of women in academicPresent distribution of women in academic positions in Physics (2004) positions in Physics (2004)

yearsyears 20020011

20022002 20032003 20042004 20020055

20020066

NumbeNumber of r of laboratlaboratoriesories

9898 107107 132132 140140 155155 170170

financifinancing ng foreseeforeseen to the n to the 10th 10th planplan

50.079 M.D50.079 M.D

yearsyears 20020011

20200202

20200303

20020044

20020055

20200606

number of unitsnumber of units 328328 404088

494944

594594 703703 848422

financing financing foreseen to the foreseen to the

10th plan10th plan56.700 M.D56.700 M.D

units laboratories

Laboratorie’s number and research unities objectives of the 10th Plan

15 Evolution of Masters and DoctoratesPhD –in Tunisia

Years Years 99-0099-00 00-0100-01 01-0201-02 02-0302-03 03-0403-04 04-0504-05 05-0605-06 06-0706-07 07-0807-08 08-0908-09 09-1009-10

Registred in Registred in MastersMasters 64306430 86208620 1060010600 1125011250 1351813518 1275012750 1350013500 1425014250 1500015000 1500015000 15001500

00

Registred in Registred in DoctoratesDoctorates 22202220 23502350 24502450 26002600 30003000 35003500 40004000 45004500 48004800 53005300 56005600

P h DP h D 9797 107107 140140 190190 200200 210210 220220 230230 240240 250250 260260

Total number of Total number of registredregistred 86508650 1097010970 1305013050 1385013850 1500015000 1625016250 1750017500 1875018750 1980019800 20302030

0020602060

00

yearyear 19981998 19991999 20002000 20012001 20022002 20032003

ReseaResearchers rchers

and and assimiassimilatedlated

65636563 69116911 75167516 85158515 99809980 1126511265

(Rese(Researchearche

rs rs /1000 /1000 activeactive

s )s )

2.142.14 2.202.20 2.342.34 2.592.59 2.942.94 3.263.26

CountryCountry Researcher’s Researcher’s number number

Researchers Researchers /1000 actives /1000 actives

GRECEGRECE 14748 (1999)14748 (1999) 3.303.30

PortugalPortugal 17584 (2001)17584 (2001) 3.103.10

TUNISIATUNISIA

8515 (2001)8515 (2001) 2.59 (2001)2.59 (2001)

11265 (2003)11265 (2003) 3.26 (2003)3.26 (2003)

19400 (2010)19400 (2010) 4.83 (2010)4.83 (2010)

Recent years evolution of researchersPosition of Tunisian researchers compared with other countries and their équivalet i n full time / 1000 actives

16

This situation of research development in This situation of research development in Tunisia could not take place if there were Tunisia could not take place if there were not an effort of scientists who came back not an effort of scientists who came back from overseas with there PhD and tried to from overseas with there PhD and tried to develop research laboratories.develop research laboratories.

I will focus on an eample , the development I will focus on an eample , the development of research of our laboratory at the of research of our laboratory at the begining in eightees in Tunisia which will begining in eightees in Tunisia which will gives an idea of obstacles that a researcher gives an idea of obstacles that a researcher has when he likes to do research in his has when he likes to do research in his country-country-

17

Students overseas?Students overseas?

Good students have fellowships to Good students have fellowships to prepare PhD prepare PhD

Overseas ? it should be EverywhereOverseas ? it should be Everywhere in in developed world, butdeveloped world, but

tunisian students, because of langage go to tunisian students, because of langage go to France!France!

18

Which way for research development ?

- I get my Master, PhD (Pierre Marie Curie University - Paris)

Field of research :Atomic & molecular physics - spectroscopy.

I return to Tunisia in 1978How to develop local research? My superviser told me: it needs 20 yeras to put on a lab!

Monochromator

source

It was experimental research: analysis of collision between atoms fromexperimental spectra

19

ab initio, semi empirical calculation,

Which research? which approach?

1/ I had to be Independent from bureaucracy! I Changed the approach of research: I will take spectra from astrophysicists, use theoretical analysis!Needs: -Computer, -Software,-Training

- knowledge : Understanding and mastering of computational simulation of ab inition electronic structures

- Patience!

Equipment? I need a Monochromator first- 1/Look locally (in each university of developing country we may find some donation! ), I found one monochromator 30 yeras old!I tried to use it, but how to change some elements? Wrong way! 2/ I get money for a New one : wait 5 years, pay 3 times the price, bad infrastructure ( heat of climate is bad for optics, current stability, ..) Wrong way!

ModelingExperimental research

Theoretical research

- begin from subject mastered: I liked to reproduce my set up!

20

-No library (no books, no review)-No conference participation, -No research understanding from politics or society!

2/I did many Contacts and ask for help inside (87, IRSIT, SOTUTEL,TMI,..) to get computer

and outside ( friends in France , ..) for books,bibliography, some training3/ which subject of research? We need To belong to the scientific international community, (Publish or perish!)but subject with interest should be with ~ no concurrence and the research schould lead to paper in international reviewWho can advice ? no environment ?

21

Each step seems as big as a mountain! 4/ How to get Understanding and mastering ? That needs

Environment and Training , for that involvement in all kind of Projects of research between Tunisia and France-(this scientific cooperation began ~1985)1 month for training + one, two visitors per year for one week! When Communication and interaction are the lifeblood of science!

Which researcher can accept such situation? Which research group accept to cooperate? Situation was Too early for cooperation with developed laboratories, Without perseverance, optimism and confidence, we would make no progress ,10 years for the first paper! And thanks to my colleagues from France who helped us a lot.

But we get: Understanding and mastering , this is the first condition for development, we can then do research at ~equal level

we can move ahead at an advanced level – more visibility - this allows cooperation

22

5/ Cooperation is a kee in the development 5/ Cooperation is a kee in the development of research!of research! Researchers accept to coopare when Competivness is save and more high, in ninghtees, our Researchers accept to coopare when Competivness is save and more high, in ninghtees, our

situation became better, cooperation became possible:situation became better, cooperation became possible: -- more visits of lecturers – developped thesis in sandwich – get post doc overseas more visits of lecturers – developped thesis in sandwich – get post doc overseas

- develop Cooperation with Other disciplines: biologists, chemists, ..- develop Cooperation with Other disciplines: biologists, chemists, .. Developed nations can act as partners

We Implement all kind of cooperation with different laboratories -South - North

-South – South: we liked to help researchers from Africa and initiate computing molecular physics. We do that in Cameroon since 5 years, offer training in our lab, access by internet to our lab, actually there is a group developed in cameroon and we have the second thesis in sadwich –Thanks to ICTP for finance

-Local cooperation : with chemists, biologists, interdiscplinarity

We develop a Network in computing molecular physics between: cameroon, Morocco, Tunisia, France-Thanks to AUF

We Call Diaspora , Expatriates researchers to come and coopere- this is developed and financed actually by the government to encourage diaspora to assist local laboratories

23

Molecules

Kinetic of reaction

Structures

InteractionsEnergy States

H2O2 + H H2 + HO2

First Research Activity (First group)

Development of research?

24

Computing physics, applied mathematicsComputing physics, applied mathematics is a is a product of digital revolution, researcher is no more product of digital revolution, researcher is no more isolated –isolated –

Internet Internet change life of researcher , change life of researcher , (ubiquitous, variety, interactivity)(ubiquitous, variety, interactivity) Africa can access to Digital revolutionAfrica can access to Digital revolution So These are kinds of research to be developed in African countries, So These are kinds of research to be developed in African countries,

not expensive, with big impact in all areas of economy actual and for not expensive, with big impact in all areas of economy actual and for the future .the future .

needs : good Education, trainingneeds : good Education, training

Example : the network developed Example : the network developed ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..Second stepSecond step: development of experimental : development of experimental

research – research – We learn physics by doing- For We learn physics by doing- For visibility to young studentvisibility to young student

25

Development of research? Technology development?

Experimental Research (second step)

-Why? - Learning, Teaching, -How? - PhD for engineer who is technician at the same time, so less experimental problemsMoney? - Look for Research project on environment

Equipment ?: not sophisticated

Development: extend to different kind of techniquesin spectroscopy, TDLAS, LIF, LIBS, CRDS

-PhD in sandwich with France -Frequent Visits of technicians and co-

supervisors- Frequent visits of retired scientists from

FranceTh research is on fundamental aspect but withApplications ( for more visibility, to get money) Arc, diode laser, Nd YAG ,

THR, ..PM, PC, labview, software

3018,0 3018,2 3018,4 3018,6 3018,8 3019,0 3019,2-0,2

0,0

0,2

0,4

0,6

0,8

Tra

nsm

issi

on (

%)

nombre d'ondes (cm-1)

LN2 dewar

Diode laser

Heater C& T-sensor

CCD ARRAY

ATTENUATOR

SPECTROGRAPH

SAM PLE P C

Monochromator

YAG

26

Experimental research developmentExperimental research development is possible with no sophisticated and new is possible with no sophisticated and new kind of equipment kind of equipment

learning by doing is to implement in developing countries , learning by doing is to implement in developing countries , allow visits for students , for high schools , open windows for young, Young feel allow visits for students , for high schools , open windows for young, Young feel more connected to their country, ..more connected to their country, ..

Do basic research with applicationsDo basic research with applications –visibility- –visibility- for the government -the sponsor- for the government -the sponsor- who asks for rapid impact?who asks for rapid impact?

Basic research? Is Basic research? Is To developTo develop , , Is needed for The futureIs needed for The future??

Experimental research Needs of basic know how, Experimental research Needs of basic know how, this can be obtained by this can be obtained by training in developed laboraties in the frame of sandwich PhD program + local training in developed laboraties in the frame of sandwich PhD program + local training which presence of supervisers locally for short periods, (retired scientists training which presence of supervisers locally for short periods, (retired scientists can bring their support ;can bring their support ;

succeed group from Africa can help each other also)-succeed group from Africa can help each other also)-

27

By Organization of Workshops and schools: National, regional and international level

- Oct. 92 Transfert des connaissances en Sciences et TechniquesWe need not a transfer of technology but to receive good education, to built good knowledge, to develop talent training of teachers- Sept. 97 Laser and Applications in Industry, Medicine and Environment- Déc. 2002 Laser et Applications- Jan. 2002 Plasma Physics and LIBS- Nov. 2005 Quantum Physics and Chemistry Systems -QPCSX- Déc. 2005 Plasma Physics and Applications

Schools for Training of Trainers ( national and regional level) with appropriate educational material

- Avril 2004 Ecole de Physique-Chimie Quantique

- Mars 2005 Active Learning in Optics and Photonics- Sept. 2005 Ecole de Physique Moléculaire – FST-Schools for training young : optics, laser, astrophysics,..

Development of research?

6/ How to assure local Training ?

28

-Training locally is good but it is necessary to add a Training as that of ICTP?

- High quality Training ; fresh your mind, actualize knowledge, offer stimulating research environment

- Lecturers, International communauty - Facilities, - interactions, with different researchers, - Meet people with similar bacgrounds and problems

- fellowships, - Through ICTP- network projects South – South cooperation

- LAM network- ICTP helps you to continue research at home (Researchers from Developing countries need outside help if they hope to make

progress) To get this kind of training ne need to develop a centre as ICTP in Tunisia

29

Such centre like ICTP will give possibility of training, of interaction and connection between scientists from different with different culture from developing as well as developed countries.

Science becomes increasingly a collaborative entreprise, such centre will contribute for that dev. Connecting scientists to work with one another on an equal footing in a Connecting scientists to work with one another on an equal footing in a collaborative way is basic for the development of common future. This collaborative way is basic for the development of common future. This centre will enhance locally the development of research and will enhance centre will enhance locally the development of research and will enhance cooperation at regional level .cooperation at regional level .

««

7/ we like then to built an international centre like ICTP for optics photonics

30

Conclusion Conclusion

Scientists in Developing Countries: Scientists in Developing Countries: is there an effective way to support meaningful is there an effective way to support meaningful research?research?

Situation in developing countries – in Africa for ex- is different from Situation in developing countries – in Africa for ex- is different from one region to the other one: North Africa, West Africa, East, .. one region to the other one: North Africa, West Africa, East, ..

Research needs High quality education talent people. These people exist, Research needs High quality education talent people. These people exist, Most countries in Africa are actually aware of the role of research for the development, Most countries in Africa are actually aware of the role of research for the development,

so the strusture exists or is comingso the strusture exists or is coming

The problem is the absence of scientific environment-need of superviser , of advicer , The problem is the absence of scientific environment-need of superviser , of advicer , of tradition of research, This could be done . Scientits from developed as well as of tradition of research, This could be done . Scientits from developed as well as from developing countries can help.from developing countries can help.

31

Is there an effective way for research development? Yes -there is

We need each other – scientits from developed countries can use their expertise to initiate, follow and supervise young researchers in Africa ; Connexion with internet exists or will exist- Retired scientits are less in competivness and can help(To develop local research laboratories is not more difficult than to extract minerals or oil, money will come later)

1/ look for Independence from bureaucracy

2/ help for research orientation , for Publish or perish!, for involvment in project of research

3/ Training- for Understanding and mastering

the scientific community has a crucial role to play the scientific community has a crucial role to play

Diaspora researchers like to help 4/ Cooperation- partnership 4/ Cooperation- partnership

Computing physics, applied mathematicsComputing physics, applied mathematicsExperimental Research ( light equip.)Basic research

Africa can access to Digital revolutionAfrica can access to Digital revolution

6/ to built an international centre like ICTP

32

Thank you

33

References:References:- Population and environmental change- (the state of - Population and environmental change- (the state of

the world population 2001(UNFPA) UN division -the world population 2001(UNFPA) UN division -World Population prospects: The 2000 revisionWorld Population prospects: The 2000 revision

-2004Population Reference Bureau-C.Rollot,Bilan du -2004Population Reference Bureau-C.Rollot,Bilan du Monde ed 2005;Monde ed 2005;

-Intelligent n°2339,Nov 2005-Intelligent n°2339,Nov 2005- UNDP-CAWTAR, 2001; - UNDP-CAWTAR, 2001; - Physics World, vol 18, n° 10, oct 2005-physicsweb.org; - Physics World, vol 18, n° 10, oct 2005-physicsweb.org; -Bilan du Monde 2006-Le Monde-Ed Speciale-Bilan du Monde 2006-Le Monde-Ed Speciale-Courrier de l’UNESCO-Mars 1988-Courrier de l’UNESCO-Mars 1988-Ministère de l’Enseignement Supérieur, de la

Recherche Scientifique et de la Technologie – 2003-www.mes.tn

34

Sites of associations for development of AfricaSites of associations for development of Africa

African association of Universities-www.aau.orgAfrican association of Universities-www.aau.org African Academy ofSciences-wwwaasciences.orgAfrican Academy ofSciences-wwwaasciences.org African Technology Policy Studies Network-African Technology Policy Studies Network-

www.atps.net.orgwww.atps.net.org African Centre for Technology StudiesAfrican Centre for Technology Studies www.acts.or.kewww.acts.or.ke Commonwealth of learningCommonwealth of learning www.col.orgwww.col.org Partnerchip to strengthen African universitiesPartnerchip to strengthen African universitieswww.carnegie.org/sub/program/partnership.htmlwww.carnegie.org/sub/program/partnership.htmlSouth African Agency for Science and Technology South African Agency for Science and Technology

advancement-www.saasta.ac.zaadvancement-www.saasta.ac.za