TECHNOLOGY AND PROBLEMS OF SELF-RELIANCE IN BANGLADESH

This article examines the formidable challenges facing Bangladesh in its quest for technological self-reliance. It argues that technological dependency is a major constraint on the country's long-term development and sovereignty. The study analyzes the state of the science and technology infrastructure in Bangladesh, including research and development (R&D) institutions, technical education, and industrial capacity. The research identifies the key problems that hinder the development of indigenous technological capabilities, such as a lack of a coherent national technology policy, inadequate funding for R&D, and a weak linkage between research institutions and industry. The paper critiques the prevailing model of technology transfer, which often involves the import of "turnkey" projects without the effective absorption and adaptation of the underlying knowledge. The analysis concludes by calling for a strategic, long-term national commitment to building a domestic science and technology base as a prerequisite for achieving genuine economic self-reliance.

The goal of self-reliance has been a recurrent theme in Bangladesh's development discourse, yet achieving it remains elusive, particularly in the domain of technology. This paper provides a critical analysis of the problems and challenges that impede technological self-reliance in Bangladesh. The study begins by conceptualizing "technological self-reliance," distinguishing it from autarky and defining it as the indigenous capacity to select, adapt, assimilate, and ultimately create appropriate technology. The core of the paper is an assessment of the country's science and technology (S&T) ecosystem. It evaluates the performance of public sector R&D organizations, highlighting their isolation from the productive sectors of the economy and the "brain drain" of skilled personnel. The paper also examines the role of the education system in producing the necessary technical and scientific workforce. A key part of the analysis is a critique of the dominant mode of technology acquisition through foreign aid and investment. The paper argues that this has often led to the creation of a "dual-tech" economy, with isolated pockets of modern technology existing alongside a vast, technologically stagnant traditional sector, without meaningful knowledge transfer or local capacity building. The findings lead to a clear conclusion: a passive, import-dependent approach to technology will only perpetuate dependency. The paper advocates for a proactive and strategic national technology policy that prioritizes investment in human capital, fosters strong industry-university linkages, and creates incentives for local innovation.