Knowledge transfer for development

Knowledge transfer is an interactive process in which advanced cutting edged knowledge is passed on to the local community by experts and technologists.

The word “transfer” is used instead of “diffusion” to emphasize the movement of the knowledge. In this process the community or the recipient feeds the experts their needs and aspirations, resources, giving feedback and sharing creative applications by continuous dialogues. The experts and technologists are expected to be familiar with the tradition, culture, language and convention of the local community to bridge the communication gap and fill the community’s technical gap. The experts and technologists need to be motivated to impart knowledge to the community; on the other hand, the community is also to be motivated to accept knowledge; awareness needs to be raised to identify their own needs and modify knowledge to meet their needs, upgrade their own local knowledge without loosing their originality. The effectiveness and pace of knowledge transfer depend on the relationship and intimacy between the expert (source of knowledge) and technologists; a capable and trustworthy expert is more likely to influence the behavior of the community. The effectiveness of the planning, coordination and mutual adjustment is likely to depend on the quality of the relationship between the local community and the experts. The involvement of the expert and the technologist is likely to be most needed during the first two phases out of a four phased process of knowledge transfer - initiation, implementation, ramp-up & integration. The process of knowledge and technology transfer becomes easy and smooth when the need is created from the community.

Bangladesh is the world’s one of the poorest and most densely populated country with 82 percent population living in the rural areas. Since its birth in 1971, the country has been experiencing political upheavals, facing frequent natural calamities that restricted the countries development and the development of human resource as well. The rural community is mainly poor, disadvantaged, lacks education, health education, social power, usually dawn trodden and deprived ones. Bangladesh is expecting to reach its population of more than 160 million by the year 2010 but the employment opportunities are difficult to create proportionately. Though almost every village has a primary school; secondary and higher secondary schools are there for every couple of villages but lack modern education system. As a result, competencies are not developed in youths to lead their own communities. Due to the social and religious taboos and lack of opportunities, women’s potentials are not flourished and completely utilized; they are considerably inferior to men considering health, education and economic performance. Besides all these negative scenario the nation possess rich culture, tradition, victory in the war of independence and ethnic homogeneity of its population.

The vast population of this country can be inspired and turned into work force by technology based knowledge transfer that will propel the nation towards development. The world is changing rapidly due to evolving a learning based knowledge society. If a window can be created to link these backward, disadvantaged communities with the best practices of the rest of the world, they will have the opportunity to observe the best practices, shape up knowledge and technologies required to meet their needs and aspiration. The building blocks of our community – children, youths, women and the overall village society can equip themselves to fight against poverty by upgrading their competencies with modern technology based school education, developing skills & leadership quality, marketing, creating diverse income opportunities as well as empowering women by increased income opportunities.