The President of the United States contacted the director of the Broad Institute, and asked him to assist in preparing a strategy for the prevention of epidemics, the application of science and technology for the benefit of the public, and maintaining the leading position of the United States, which has eroded greatly in recent decades. The incoming minister wishes to address those important issues
The corona epidemic exposed in the most difficult way the weakness of innovation precisely in the country most identified with the United States, which in fact for decades neglected the education system and its high-tech industry relies on foreigners - nowadays mainly Chinese, this after China decided that it was investing in education and higher education already a decade ago , while in the USA and to a large extent here as well - education is not a natural right, but only for the strong, thus doing an injustice to bright students from the periphery, where schools are treated as babysitters. Even here, even the biting program "On the other side" referred to the fact that all the media channels discussed the issue of shutting down schools as a result of the corona crisis as a problem of employing the children so that the parents could go to work. No one talked about the educational aspect.
The products of that education later reach the labor market, and it turns out that most of them are not suitable for it. As a result, the gap in Israel between the high-tech workers and the rest of the population has widened, as shown by the few reports that have been published recently, on high-tech sales records compared to the economy stuck in the other fields. Last week a report was published that revealed a drop in absolute numbers of the number of university graduates in 2019 and their return to the level of a decade ago despite the addition of an eighth university - Ariel.
An in-depth examination is indeed required that does not refer only to the apparent success, but also to go to the depths of the cracks that are beginning to open beneath the surface.
So although the field of education is in the hands of the Ministry of Education - both elementary, middle school and high school, but also academic, but the incoming Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Orit Farkash HaCohen, whose office also accepts responsibility for the Innovation Authority, which today is under the supervision of the Ministry of Economy, said yesterday that she adopts the proposal of US President Joe Biden to strengthen innovation. The solution must be strategic.
"When President Biden took office, he asked the founding president and CEO of the Broad Institute (a scientific research institute) of Harvard and MIT to rebuild the strategy for science and technology in the United States for the next 75 years."
In his letter he asked 5 questions:
- What can we learn from the epidemic about our public health practices?
- How can breakthroughs in science and technology produce solutions in the field of the environment, employment and health, in disadvantaged areas?
- How can you make sure that the USA will lead in the field of technology and science?
- How will we make sure that the fruits of science and technology reach everyone in America?
- How can we ensure the important place of science and technology in our society, over time?
These questions illustrate the importance of science and technology to our lives: to our health, to the education of our children, to employment and the economy, and also to the environment.
"This letter inspired me when I took office. I entered the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology about two weeks ago, and was exposed to a central process of development and research that turns into an industry and constitutes a complete ecosystem of progress and development."
"Besides promoting the industry, I want to be a bridge between it and the public in Israel. Hi-tech and innovation are not the property of a limited sector but will be accessible to the public, will allow employment, the growth of remote areas, social leadership and education. My job is to be a significant ambassador for the industry in a way that will encourage employment with the help of which the general public will also benefit."
"I will work to be a strengthening factor for this industry that will continue to lower as many barriers as possible so that as many high-tech companies as possible will grow and operate as full companies in Israel."
"I am committed to working for and for the benefit of this important industry that produces about 25 percent of the income tax paid in Israel, that today takes care of developing the technology of tomorrow, thanks to which Israel proudly carries the title of the startup nation - Israeli pride."
