Research Shift

Historically, most countries in the Asia-Pacific have specialized in applying scientific and technological knowledge created elsewhere, rather than creating innovative knowledge through basic research. This situation is rapidly changing, often in response to explicit government policies. This is partially motivated by a desire to "move up the value chain" and partially due to the nature of new industries, such as biotechnology, where the gap between creating and applying innovative knowledge is narrower. Countries face multiple challenges in trying to make this shift due to social, econonic, educational and institutional factors.

Selected news articles (click icon to retrieve)

	China ready to leap from industrial to information-age economy. Can its creativity and innovation be centrally planned? Christian Science Monitor. September 05, 2007
	Singapore Acts as Haven for Stem Cell Research, New York Times, August 17, 2006
	Groundbreakers: From biotech to nanotech, three Chinese pioneers look to lead the nation to a new scientific frontier. Time Asia. Oct. 23, 2006