S&T Indicators - by
ASEAN for ASEAN
The ASEAN database on science and technology indicators will enable the Association to map and manage changes in the region's science and technology infrastructure. The first steps towards establishing the database were taken when the ASEAN Sub-Committee on Science and Technology Infrastructure and Resources Development (SCIRD) met with experts on science and technology indicators in Singapore in July 1995. Funded by UNDP, the project, will enhance regional capacity in the collection and analysis of existing and new science and technology indicators.
The project aims to enable ASEAN to compile its own set of science and technology indicators. To date such information has been provided by international bodies such as the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) and the Pacific Economic Cooperation Council (PECC). Both currently publish science and technology reports with statistical data for the Asia-Pacific region. The US National Science Foundation also publishes research and development indicators, technology performance and human resources in the Asian region.
Over the last few years, each ASEAN country has broaden-ed the range of her statistical coverage of science and technolo-gy activities. The move to set up the indicators database gave fresh impetus and a regional focus to these efforts. New indica-tors such as assessment of technological needs and capabilities (especially the identification of gaps in capability), research and development, industrial innovation and performance, industrial benchmarking and priority-setting were also included.
The July 1995 workshop, which was also attended by advisers from UNESCO, saw the sharing of experiences, the exchange of ideas and the selection of a common methodology for data gathering and collating. A technical consultant was also employed to design and develop the database for the indicators.
The experts reviewed the design of the database and considered UNESCO's recommendations for developing the database further when they met in December 1995. Among other things, UNESCO recommended that indicators be developed for research and development, patents, technology balance of payments and trade in technology.
Scheduled for a pilot test in December 1996, the system will make continuously updated information to measure and monitor the development of science and technology in ASEAN generally available. Among the expected outputs are the development of common methodologies for producing and compiling standardised science and technology indicators. This will be accompanied by a computer-based system for the collection, analysis and presentation of these indicators in ASEAN.
In addition, the ASEAN Science and Technology Indicators Report will be edited for readability and released as a magazines series within a year of the establishment of the information system.
Observing that the project is a timely and integral part of ASEAN's preparation for challenges of the 21st century, SCIRD Chairman Dr. Chou Siaw Kiang said, "The S &T indicators project will assist in the planning and decision-making for research and design and science and technology human resource development. This information will also raise ASEAN's productivity and ensure our international competitiveness."
Science and Technology Indicators
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASEAN OECD
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Gross National Expenditure on Research and Development 0.43% 2.33%
(GERD), as a percentage of Gross Domestic Product2
2. Average annual growth rate of GERD, 1988 - 923 18.6% 3.8%
3. Research and Development Personnel (Total Headcount)4 72,700 2.8 million
4. Expenditure on Research and Development by the Business 556 236,000
Enterprise Sector (in US$ million)5
5. National Patent Applications (Total)6 9,130 1,250,600
6. National Patent Grants7 1,900 N.A.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 All Figures are for 1992 unless otherwise stated. 'N.A.' indicates data is not available or that the statistic is not applicable.
2 Indonesia 1994; Thailand 1991; *Philippines 1990-92 only; Thailand 1989-91 only; Indonesia 1988-94. ASEAN % data are unweighted country averages; Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) GERD US$ Purchasing power parity exchange rates (PPP) total. 1991; OECD Civil GERD is 2.0% of GDP; Growth rate us OECD average, 1989.
3 Indonesia 1994; Thailand 1991; *Philippines 1990-92 only; Thailand 1989-91 only; Indonesia 1988-94. ASEAN % data are unweighted country averages; OECD GERD US$ PPP total. 1991; OECD Civil GERD is 2.0% of GDP; Growth rate is OECD average, 1989;
4 Malaysia Full-time Equivalent (FTE); Thailand 1991; Indonesia 1994 - excluding Higher Education Resource Development (R&D) personnel; *OECD approx. FTE, excluding USA.
5 Indonesia 1994
6 Indonesia - Patent and license fees, 1990; Thailand - payments for royalties, trademarks, technical and amangement services, 1991.
7 Indonesia - Patent and license fees, 1990; Thailand - payments for royalties, trademarks, technical and amangement services, 1991.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Source: The above data is obtained from a report entitled "The Development of Science and Technology Indicators in the ASEAN Region" which will be published in early 1997. The report is one of the outputs under Element II: ASEAN S&T Management of the UNDP funded ASP-5 Sub Programme on Technology being implemented jointly by ASEAN and UNESCO.
Note: While ASEAN's GERD is still much lower compared to that of OECD countries, the average annual growth rate, however, is much higher, indicating the rapid rate of development in the region.