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Journey To Zimbabwe

Journey To Zimbabwe. The Ideological basis and practical implications of my search for the appropriate use of science and technology. What this lecture covers. Ideological basis of my quest – philosophical, ethical and analytical aspects. Early attempts to make engineering career relevant

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Journey To Zimbabwe

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  1. Journey To Zimbabwe The Ideological basis and practical implications of my search for the appropriate use of science and technology

  2. What this lecture covers • Ideological basis of my quest – philosophical, ethical and analytical aspects. • Early attempts to make engineering career relevant • The birth and early years of HUPAT • The primacy of Africa and appropriate technology • Why a focus on Zimbabwe • Work in Zimbabwe • The future - Zimbabwe, Africa and the global context Journey to Zimbabwe –A Case Study

  3. Ideology • Ideology – set of ideas that guide one’s actions • Philosophical base – nature and purpose of humankind • Ethical principles – grounding on how we relate to other humans and nature • Analytical principles – interpreting the world so we may systemically plan, execute and analyze our actions Journey to Zimbabwe –A Case Study

  4. Making Engineering Relevant • Choice of computing • Experiences in industry • Computing as a tool to research society’s development • Beyond computing – what technology is needed • Building relevant science and engineering focused organizations Journey to Zimbabwe –A Case Study

  5. HUPAT’s Beginning • Call from African Student Association • Academic Excellence grant 1998 • Infusing AT in the curriculum • Workshop on AT • Visit to Drexel University • Surveys and nominal group technique with Students • National conference on AT • Workshop in Accra at African Summit • Visits to Cuba – 2003 Journey to Zimbabwe –A Case Study

  6. Appropriate Technology – AFRICA • Ideological basis – “primacy of Africa” • Based on identity: “African nationalism • Based on materialist analysis: Africa is the resource richest continent, Africans are the resource poorest people, therefore center of highest exploitation • Practical work: South Africa, Rwanda, Mauritius, Guinea-Bissau Journey to Zimbabwe –A Case Study

  7. Why Focus on Zimbabwe? • Visit of 2002 to NUST – discovered ‘brain drain’ in Zimbabwe • Importance of supporting Zimbabwe in the face of the economic blockade • Linking AT to control of a nation’s development • AT and land reclamations – issues and opportunities. Journey to Zimbabwe –A Case Study

  8. My Year in Zimbabwe • Aiding the Academy in spite of the blockade • Technology innovations to deal with fuel shortage – my observations • Plenty of food – not enough processing • Government leadership – dealing with inflation, corruption, intrigue, and the blockade • International conference on Appropriate technology • Consulting on National strategy for ICT in Zimbabwe Journey to Zimbabwe –A Case Study

  9. The Future of AT, Africa and the World • Technology to increase production and independence • World is becoming more globally attached – via multinational development and international communication • Requires African unity – Pan-Africanism • Will the AU provide the direction? Journey to Zimbabwe –A Case Study

  10. More on Ideology • Nkrumah-Tureism – ideology for decolonization • Philosophical basis – ‘man’ is good, human consciousness comes with an obligation • Ethical basis – Humanism, Egalitarianism, Collectivism • Analytical tools – • Class/Nation analysis • Dialectical and Historical Analysis Journey to Zimbabwe –A Case Study

  11. Historical Materialist Approach • A tool for analyzing history and current conditions, used by political analyst since K. Marx • Explains distinctions between different modes of production • Focuses on the balance between the forces of production and the relations of production Journey to Zimbabwe –A Case Study

  12. Technology in the Forces of Production • Forces of production consists of the people doing the work, their skills and their tools. • The tools used in production are the technology and this technology is closely linked to the skills needed to use and maintain the tools. • Technology has become more complex and capital intensive over time. • Advances in the ‘forces of production’ push changes in ‘relations of production’ Journey to Zimbabwe –A Case Study

  13. Maintaining Old Relationships • Those in control of production (owners of the farms, factories and mines) want to maintain their control to continue to use the wealth of the labor process for their interest. • The development and selection of technology is done based on class interest. Journey to Zimbabwe –A Case Study

  14. Background Information • Technological development and potentials must be placed in the proper context! • Historical reality of exploitation • Current Constraints to development • external • internal • Development Alternatives Journey to Zimbabwe –A Case Study

  15. Basis of Underdevelopment • Colonialism. • Neocolonialism. • Corruption. • Political & Economic Instability. • Unequal Trade. Journey to Zimbabwe –A Case Study

  16. Technology in Zimbabwe • Pre-colonial • Colonial Invasion and occupation • Early years of Independence • Current period of land reform • Future scenarios Journey to Zimbabwe –A Case Study

  17. Early Zimbabwe • Horticulture • Peasant farming • Cattle raising • Subsistence oriented Trade • Mining and iron work Journey to Zimbabwe –A Case Study

  18. Colonial Occupation • Early settlers were miners that depended on African farmers • From mining to commercial farming • Money and bartering • Early consumerism • Education: Missionaries and the state Journey to Zimbabwe –A Case Study

  19. New Zimbabwe • Focus on expanding trade partnerships • Focus on Education • Limitations of Political compromise • Training a technical strata Journey to Zimbabwe –A Case Study

  20. Land Reclamation • Reclaiming land – a drastic change in relations of production • Drop in productivity – causes and the role of technology • Building infrastructure to compliment land reform Journey to Zimbabwe –A Case Study

  21. AT for Land Reform • Housing construction • Mechanizing farming – an issue of scale • Access to information – the management of Knowledge • Agriculture beyond farming • The government’s commitment: the 2004 National Budget Journey to Zimbabwe –A Case Study

  22. The Financial Blockade • Anti-Zimbabwe forces are blocking access to foreign exchange • Lack of Foreign Exchange leads to • Reduction in production, alternative $ market, hyperinflation • Hyperinflation leads to domestic disruption • Technology used to maintain blockade • Media – misinformation campaign • Electronic controls on money Journey to Zimbabwe –A Case Study

  23. Decreasing Dependence • The selection of techniques and technology must be designed to decrease foreign dependency • Changing relations of production – the control of agricultural, mineral and production resources must be in the hands of the people. Journey to Zimbabwe –A Case Study

  24. Selecting Technology • Increases productivity while minimizing use of foreign exchange • Focus on goods needed internally • Complements the labor force • Utilizes domestic resources • Complementing the educational system Journey to Zimbabwe –A Case Study

  25. Training for the Future • National University of Science and Technology • Polytechnical Universities • Regional research stations • New universities Journey to Zimbabwe –A Case Study

  26. Approaches to Development • Develop extensive infrastructure - ports, airports, large plants, etc. • Concentrate on agriculture. • Small and Intermediate technology. • Government sponsored projects. • Privatization. • Multi-country coordination - such as a Pan-African effort. Journey to Zimbabwe –A Case Study

  27. Information Technology • Email and web access. • Electronic libraries • Expert systems. • Decision support systems. • Simulation and other planning tools. • Database systems. • Appropriate hardware and access to software. Journey to Zimbabwe –A Case Study

  28. EXPERT SYSTEMS • Medical and Health applications • Agricultural, Livestock, and Food issues and needs • Energy Options • Natural Resource Exploitation Journey to Zimbabwe –A Case Study

  29. Appropriate Energy • Electrification - power plants and local electricity. • Solar alternatives - power, heating, and cooking. • Energy reliability and self-sufficiency. • Manufacturing energy producing equipment • Scale issues. Journey to Zimbabwe –A Case Study

  30. Water and Sanitation • Water purification • Plumbing • Sewage issues • Water for irrigation • Toxic waste and dumping sites. Journey to Zimbabwe –A Case Study

  31. Water for irrigation • human powered water pumps • animal powered water pumps • solar powered pumps • water harvesting Journey to Zimbabwe –A Case Study

  32. Environmental Issues • Toxic waste • Dumping sites • Deforestation • Pollution from excessive use of wood for fuel • Pollution in Urban areas due to low standards for auto and industrial pollutants Journey to Zimbabwe –A Case Study

  33. Small Workshops • Local workshops serve small-scale producers, and provide • low cost household items • subcontracting and maintenance services for larger firms • products and repairs • One of fastest growing sectors • Lack of access to skills, information and technological options limits expansion Jewelry workshop in Bulawayo Journey to Zimbabwe –A Case Study

  34. Zimbabwe’s Future • Expose the blockade • Technological support for ‘Land reclamation’ • Universities working closely with regional research stations • Major water project using the Zambesi • The mines and factories will be next ! Journey to Zimbabwe –A Case Study

  35. My Year in Zimbabwe Journey to Zimbabwe –A Case Study

  36. Working at NUST National University of Science and Technology, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe Journey to Zimbabwe –A Case Study

  37. Aiding the Academy • Teaching in spite of the blockade, inflation and strikes • No books • Limited library • Shortage of equipment • Curriculum development • Research with faculty and students Journey to Zimbabwe –A Case Study

  38. Plenty of food Journey to Zimbabwe –A Case Study

  39. Not enough technology • Farmers largely dependent on rainfall and animals to plow • Fresh foods and some dried foods, limited food processing • Storage issues • Transportation of goods Journey to Zimbabwe –A Case Study

  40. Contradictions Unity Village and Coke Journey to Zimbabwe –A Case Study

  41. Government leadership • Dealing with problems: • inflation, • corruption, • intrigue, and • the blockade People showing support at Government organized Independence Day celebration Journey to Zimbabwe –A Case Study

  42. International Conference on Appropriate technology • Approached NUST in 2002 • Planning committee in October 2003 • Involving government, business and international forces • Theme “A Knowledge Management Approach to the Development of Appropriate Technology, with a focus on Sustainable land-based projects” • Hosted by NUST at Bulawayo Rainbow Hotel Journey to Zimbabwe –A Case Study

  43. More on Conference • Problems encountered • Content: • Industry and production • Construction and architecture • Transportation and solar technology • Water, Agriculture and environment • Knowledge management and appropriate computing • Future work: • National conference next year, • international conference in 2 years, • Interim international steering committee. Journey to Zimbabwe –A Case Study

  44. Consulting in Zimbabwe • Proposals with NUST • UNDP project on e-readiness study and ICT strategy for the country • Contributions as international consultant • In progress – surveys and workshops • Potential outcomes? Journey to Zimbabwe –A Case Study

  45. The Future of AT, Africa and the World • Technology to increase production and independence • World is becoming more globally attached – via multinational development and international communication • Requires African unity – Pan-Africanism • Will the AU provide the direction? Journey to Zimbabwe –A Case Study

  46. Africa’s Future Happy Children at Independence Day Celebration Journey to Zimbabwe –A Case Study

  47. Linking Zimbabwe, Africa and the World Cuban doctors working in Zimbabwe Journey to Zimbabwe –A Case Study

  48. Questions? Journey to Zimbabwe –A Case Study

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