On July 11th, 2024, the grand launch event for the 10th Biennial Conference on Science and Technology (BICOST X): 2025 was held at Isurupaya, Battaramulla. The theme for the upcoming conference was unveiled as “Science, Technology, and Innovation Roadmap for Economic Development: 2025-2030.”
The Biennial Conference on Science and Technology (BICOST) is a significant initiative mandated by the National Science and Technology Commission (NASTEC) under the Act of 11/1994. BICOST aims to foster the development of science and technology in Sri Lanka, providing a platform for evaluating the current state and charting a strategic path forward.
Background and Key Points
The launch event provided an in-depth look into the theme and objectives of BICOST X:2025. Highlighting the importance of this initiative, the presenters referenced the Global Innovation Index (GII) 2023, where Sri Lanka ranked 90th among 132 economies, and shared data on the country’s economy and R&D position from Knoema.
Focus Areas of the STI Roadmap
The theme for BICOST X:2025 emphasizes several focused areas crucial for the advancement of science, technology, and innovation (STI) in driving economic development. These include:
- Digital Transformation: Embracing the Internet of Things (IoT), the 4th Industrial Revolution, digital currency, and artificial intelligence (AI).
- Human Capital: Strategies to educate, attract, retain, and properly utilize intellectual resources.
- Popularization and Commercialization of STI Outputs: Encouraging patenting, publishing, licensing, and generating royalties.
- Public-Private Partnerships in the STI Sector: Aiming for 1% of GDP allocation for R&D and substantial private sector contributions.
- Global Collaborations for the STI Sector: Attracting Foreign Direct Investments and gaining global recognition for STI outputs and outcomes.
Activities and Strategic Roadmap
BICOST X will undertake several key activities:
- Evaluate the Current Status: Identifying gaps in the current focus on economic development and the STI sector.
- Establish an Implementable Roadmap: Gathering inputs from experts and ratifying with stakeholders to develop a working document.
- Develop and Forward a Working Document for Cabinet Approval.
- Implement and Monitor the STI Roadmap: With ministerial support.
- Supervision by the Advisory Committee.
The working document will be divided into two parts:
- Status Report: Including gap analysis and recommendations.
- Implementable Strategic Roadmap: Defining objectives, strategies, timeframes, input and output variables, and key milestones or KPIs.
Expected Outcomes
The strategic efforts of BICOST X aim to:
- Direct the STI sector toward advancing the economic development goals of the country.
- Achieve a sustainable increase in the percentage of GDP directed to the STI sector, ensuring a return on investment and greater private sector participation.
- Enhance human capital within the STI ecosystem, effectively utilizing and retaining intellects while mitigating brain drain.
Way Forward
Key upcoming activities include:
- Advisory Committee meetings starting in the third week of July or the first week of August.
- Working group meetings to formulate the working document and roadmap, beginning in the third week of August.
- Stakeholder meetings based on working group recommendations.
- Preparation of the final draft by February 25, 2025.
- Ratification with the advisory committee and the commission by March 10, 2025.
- The BICOST event scheduled for mid-March 2025.
The launch event was attended by top representatives from various science and technology-related institutes. The Sri Lankan Scientist magazine was also invited to cover the event and provide updates to the public. Recordings of the event are available on our YouTube channel, Sri Lanka Science Channel.
Stay tuned with the Sri Lankan Scientist magazine for more detailed reports and updates on BICOST X:2025 as we continue to follow and report on this significant initiative for the advancement of science, technology, and innovation in Sri Lanka.
