Yunus Addresses Japan Science Congress

DHAKA, Nov. 28 (NsNewsWire) — Nobel Laureate Professor  Muhammad Yunus gave the keynote address at the Japan Science Congress organised by Japan Science Technology  Agency (JST), the government agency for guiding and financing the national science and technology program.  The president of JST Professor Michinari Hamaguchi invited Professor Yunus to give his views on how to strengthen scientific research towards achieving social goals.

In his speech, Professor Yunus asked the scientists to rethink the goal of research in science and technology and also the application of the research output. He emphasised that scientific research must be designed in the light of what would be the ultimate desired shape of human society. Objective of research should be to achieve that goal efficiently and in a smooth way.  He raised the question whether technologies like artificial intelligence fits the desired goal if it initiates the process of massive unemployment. He asked why dont we define the areas in which we should appply artificial intelligence. He suggested an immediate area  where artificial intelligence should be applied. He proposed healthcare, and education as the most most desired areas of its application, definitely not in pushing people out of job.

JST expressed its interest in working jointly with Yunus centre to develop and adapt technologies for social businesses to solve human problems. Follow up meetings will be held soon to  work out the framework this collaboration.

Professor Yunus also discussed collaboration with Business University of Japan, and Telecom Foundation.

He had meetings with potential social business joint venture partners in Japan besides preparing ground for launching Grameen Nippon, the Grameen replication program in Japan similar to Grameen America.

Press Release