Park Bum-soon, a distinguished professor on the KAIST Graduate School of Science and Technology Policy, delivers a keynote presentation on the 251st KAST Roundtable Forum held on the Korea Press Center Press Club in Seoul on the 14th. Photo by Cho Ga-hyun
A brand new argument means that overcoming the disaster in science and know-how requires establishing a brand new, value-centered social contract that goes past financial compensation. This contains amending the constitutional provision that defines science and know-how merely as instruments for financial improvement and institutionally guaranteeing the participation of scientists and engineers in nationwide decision-making. A proposal was additionally made to redefine their social role and accountability by altering the identify from ‘scientist/technologist (Gwahakgisul-ja)’ to ‘grasp of science and know-how (Gwahakgisul-ga).’
At the 251st KAST Roundtable Forum hosted by the Korean Academy of Science and Technology (KAST) on the Seoul Press Center on the 14th, Park Bum-soon, a distinguished professor on the KAIST Graduate School of Science and Technology Policy, said, “According to a survey conducted by KAST earlier this year, insufficient compensation was the most cited reason for low morale among scientists and engineers at 50.8%, but only 27.1% believed that increasing financial rewards alone could restore innovative capacity.” He added, “In contrast, 50% of respondents said that the participation of scientists and engineers in national future decision-making should be institutionalized.” The theme of the discussion board was ‘The Crisis in Science and Technology: Is Compensation the Only Issue?’
Professor Park analyzed the connection between the federal government and the science and know-how group utilizing the ‘social contract’ idea of American political scientist David Guston, emphasizing the necessity to transition from a function-centered social contract to a value-centered one within the twenty first century.
He stated, “Science and technology are not only the engine of industrial development but also a core value for national security and the establishment of a democratic society, encompassing defense, diplomacy, health, welfare, and education.” He added, “The participation of scientists and engineers in decision-making is crucial, and self-regulation must be premised on accountability to gain social trust.”
Professor Park identified that Article 127, Clause 1 of the Constitution, which states that “The State shall strive for national economic development by promoting science and technology, innovation, and the development of information and human resources,” successfully treats science and know-how solely as instruments for financial improvement. He argued that there’s a lack of constitutional rules to assure elementary rights reminiscent of the correct to life, labor rights, equality, privateness, and environmental rights in areas the place technological developments like biotechnology, synthetic intelligence, and large knowledge battle with human rights or security.
During the 2017 motion to amend the constitutional article, a survey by the Biological Research Information Center (BRIC) and Hankyoreh ScienceOn additionally confirmed that 77% of these within the science and know-how discipline believed the constitutional provision impacts S&T coverage and actions, and 69% stated it impacts their very own work. The modification discussions on the time failed to move due to a scarcity of a parliamentary quorum.
Professor Park careworn that now’s the opportune time to resume discussions on constitutional modification. This is as a result of the Lee Jae-myung authorities is pushing for constitutional reform as its primary nationwide agenda merchandise and has highlighted methods for an modern financial system, reminiscent of changing into one of many prime three AI powers and strengthening elementary science and know-how. He stated, “Now is the time to start this discussion.”
For the course of the modification, he proposed two drafts. The first draft states, “The State shall strive for national economic development and shall innovate science and technology and develop human resources and information. The knowledge and economic benefits created from the achievements of scientific and technological research shall be used responsibly for improving the quality of life of the people and for future generations.”
The second draft contains, “The State shall encourage and support scientific and technological research and strive for national economic development. The development and application of science and technology shall not infringe upon the dignity and safety of the people and shall be managed to conform to the common interests of present and future generations.” Professor Park defined that if such provisions are specified within the Constitution, subordinate legal guidelines could be enacted primarily based on them.
Professor Park additionally proposed altering the time period ‘scientist/technologist (Gwahakgisul-ja, 者)’ to ‘grasp of science and know-how (Gwahakgisul-ga, 家)’ to redefine the social standing and role of science and know-how professionals. The phrase ‘scientist’ was coined within the early nineteenth century by the English thinker and scientist William Whewell, who prompt that simply as individuals who observe artwork are referred to as ‘artists,’ individuals who observe science must be referred to as ‘scientists.’
However, in Korea, whereas ‘artwork’ is related to ‘artist (Yesul-ga, 家),’ ‘science’ makes use of ‘scientist (Gwahak-ja)’ as an alternative of ‘Gwahak-ga,’ a observe that appears to have been solidified by translation by way of Japan, he defined.
Professor Park distinguished that “-ja (者)” refers to an individual engaged in a sure job, whereas “-ga (家)” signifies an expert who has achieved mastery in a discipline. “We don’t say ‘politici-ja,’ ‘entrepre-ja,’ or ‘exper-ja’; we say ‘politician (Jeongchi-ga),’ ‘entrepreneur (Gieop-ga),’ and ‘expert (Jeonmun-ga),'” he argued, asserting that it’s extra acceptable to use ‘Gwahak-ga,’ ‘Gisul-ga,’ and ‘Gwahakgisul-ga’ for the science and know-how discipline.
He emphasised, “Changing the name is not just a matter of expression but has the significance of instilling a sense of responsibility as a subject of social change, moving beyond being an employed intellectual to a practical intellectual.” While skilled compensation is a given, he careworn the necessity to emphasize their social role past that.
Panelists have interaction in a delegated dialogue on the theme ‘The Crisis in Science and Technology: Is Compensation the Only Issue?’ on the 251st KAST Roundtable Forum. Photo by Intern Reporter Moon Hye-won
Cho Yong-hoon, a KT-endowed chair professor within the Department of Physics at KAIST, recognized the short-term, performance-oriented analysis analysis construction and the restrictions of the fast-follower improvement mannequin as the basic causes of the science and know-how disaster. Professor Cho emphasised, “We have achieved a leading position in semiconductors, displays, shipbuilding, and automobiles, but it is now difficult to find a leading group to follow.” He added, “In an era without an answer sheet, we must expand our intrinsic foundational knowledge and broaden the horizons of knowledge to create the next generation of innovation ourselves.”
He identified that the present analysis funding construction has not damaged away from the fast-follower mannequin, putting researchers in a paradoxical scenario the place they spend extra time on mission administration than on analysis. He said that the institution of a ‘self-generating innovation system’ that formally acknowledges failure as an achievement and permits alternatives for re-challenge is urgently wanted.
Lee Won-joon, a distinguished professor within the Department of Artificial Intelligence at Gachon University, argued that as Korea has turn into a pacesetter, it should transfer away from a government-led, top-down, command-style decision-making system. Professor Lee identified, “The budget ratio for basic research projects is less than 10% of the total.” He added, “Support is concentrated on strategic projects, making creative research difficult, and it is not an environment where a researcher who delves deeply into one field can emerge.” He concluded that lively discussions are wanted to set up a balanced construction by growing the proportion of bottom-up help.
Han Ho-jae, a professor at Seoul National University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, identified that agro-bioscience has been pushed to the periphery relatively than being on the middle of strategic science. Professor Han emphasised, “Semiconductors and AI are important, but food and biological resources are also crucial pillars supporting sustainability,” and careworn that agro-bioscience shouldn’t be seen merely as conventional agricultural know-how. He expressed concern that the short-term, performance-oriented analysis atmosphere is stifling difficult and long-term analysis in agro-bioscience, which is inherently a primary science discipline requiring long-term commentary and accumulation.
Park Young-nyun, a professor at Yonsei University College of Medicine, emphasised that physician-scientists are additionally primary scientists in that they conduct scientific inquiries into life. Professor Park said, “Currently, physician-scientists are buried in clinical performance and can only conduct research by giving up their rest time.” She added, “To elevate the level of Korean medical science globally, institutionalizing dedicated research time is essential.”
Hong Sung-ook, a professor within the Department of the History and Philosophy of Science at Seoul National University, stated that now’s the time to search change for Korean science and know-how to develop qualitatively to the following degree. Professor Hong famous how quickly Korean science and know-how have developed in a short while, stating, “After liberation, there were fewer than 20 Ph.D. holders.” However, he identified that the insurance policies shaped throughout this course of have clung to a framework centered on industrial software relatively than primary science, and this path dependency continues to at the present time. He emphasised that it’s now time to mirror on that framework and search structural change by cooperation between the federal government, companies, and government-funded analysis institutes.
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