Dear Editor,
The Jamaica Labour Party’s (JLP) manifesto proposed the creation of a special fund to finance technology-based start-ups. Such funding facilities are not unique to Jamaica, and the extent of their usefulness is still debatable.
Although the innovation fund was not aggressively promoted during the campaign trail, it deserves serious analysis as a policy. Furthermore to have this suggestion as a mere commitment in a manifesto, and then ignore it after winning the election, would not make the present Administration appear credible. The Government is not in a position to finance such an initiative, but in this case money is not a problem.
Andrew Wheatley, the minister with responsibility for technology, must be courageous in channelling the resources of his ministry to more productive use. Despite its achievements, the Universal Services Fund (USF) in its present form is not serving the best interest of the country. Presently the organisation is responsible for facilitating access to the Internet throughout Jamaica. In order to fulfil this mandate, the USF supports activities such as the building of computer centres in communities, along with the provision of electronic devices to schools. Such programmes can be sponsored by any private entrepreneurs. Many people believe that these are accomplishments; this just shows how low standards are in this country.
Unlike other government organisations, the USF is not financed by the State, but receives funding from a levy on inbound international calls. Therefore using funds from the USF to finance technology-based start-ups or research would not be at a great risk for the Government.
Some are in favour of the present system, because it is politically palatable. For example, when the USF builds a computer centre, the party in power can boast that it is performing. In reality, however, it makes more sense to foster technological innovations that will create wealth and improve living standards. People will then be in a position to buy computers and access the Internet using their own finances. But politicians yearning for a God-like status will not appreciate the independence of their followers.
Additionally, Wheatley must not follow the previous Administration and use innovation as a buzzword. There ought to be a greater focus on laws that can foster innovation. For example, in the 1980s, America passed the Bayh-Dole Act which allows universities to license and patent research funded by the federal government. A recent study sponsored by the Biotechnology Industry Organization estimates that during 1986-2013, academia-industry patenting licensing bolstered US gross domestic product by up to US$518 billion and supported over 3 million jobs. All of this has been facilitated by the Bayh-Dole Act. Therefore, the JLP should implement policies which will make a difference and not rely on rhetoric like the previous Administration.
Lipton Matthews
lo_matthews@yahoo.com
The Jamaica Labour Party’s (JLP) manifesto proposed the creation of a special fund to finance technology-based start-ups. Such funding facilities are not unique to Jamaica, and the extent of their usefulness is still debatable.
Although the innovation fund was not aggressively promoted during the campaign trail, it deserves serious analysis as a policy. Furthermore to have this suggestion as a mere commitment in a manifesto, and then ignore it after winning the election, would not make the present Administration appear credible. The Government is not in a position to finance such an initiative, but in this case money is not a problem.
Andrew Wheatley, the minister with responsibility for technology, must be courageous in channelling the resources of his ministry to more productive use. Despite its achievements, the Universal Services Fund (USF) in its present form is not serving the best interest of the country. Presently the organisation is responsible for facilitating access to the Internet throughout Jamaica. In order to fulfil this mandate, the USF supports activities such as the building of computer centres in communities, along with the provision of electronic devices to schools. Such programmes can be sponsored by any private entrepreneurs. Many people believe that these are accomplishments; this just shows how low standards are in this country.
Unlike other government organisations, the USF is not financed by the State, but receives funding from a levy on inbound international calls. Therefore using funds from the USF to finance technology-based start-ups or research would not be at a great risk for the Government.
Some are in favour of the present system, because it is politically palatable. For example, when the USF builds a computer centre, the party in power can boast that it is performing. In reality, however, it makes more sense to foster technological innovations that will create wealth and improve living standards. People will then be in a position to buy computers and access the Internet using their own finances. But politicians yearning for a God-like status will not appreciate the independence of their followers.
Additionally, Wheatley must not follow the previous Administration and use innovation as a buzzword. There ought to be a greater focus on laws that can foster innovation. For example, in the 1980s, America passed the Bayh-Dole Act which allows universities to license and patent research funded by the federal government. A recent study sponsored by the Biotechnology Industry Organization estimates that during 1986-2013, academia-industry patenting licensing bolstered US gross domestic product by up to US$518 billion and supported over 3 million jobs. All of this has been facilitated by the Bayh-Dole Act. Therefore, the JLP should implement policies which will make a difference and not rely on rhetoric like the previous Administration.
Lipton Matthews
lo_matthews@yahoo.com