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Abstract

The scientifical tradition of Colombia goes back to the end of eigteenth century, when Spain founded an Institution called "Expedición Botánica" for surveying natural resources and to produce the cartography of its territory and monographic studies of the Flora and Fauna of the country. 

With the political Independence from Spain this scientifical enterprise was almost lost even though in the past century sorne attempts were made for its restablishment. 

So, modem Science Institutionalization in Colombia begins in the year 1935, when the Universidad Nacional and with it other research institutes were restablised. 

In the year 1969, a Governmental agency called COLCIENCIAS was created for giving financia! support to Research-Projects presented by Universities and other s=ientifical lnstitutione. 

So, at present, Colombia has 139 Institutions somehow related with the development of Science and/or Technology. These Institutions include 792 operational Unities and of these, 86 are engaged in -scientifical Research activities: 21 basic science; 10 engineering, 10 medicine, 13 agriculture, 25 social sciences, and 7 different other disciplines. 

In the year 1978, 7.915 persons worked in 2.139 Research-projects; of these, 3.404 were scientists, 704 technicians and 463 preparators and other operational assistants. In the year 1985 the number of scientists increased to 6.900 and the number of Research-projects to 2.300. For the last two years there are not available statistical data. 

In 1978 the official financial .support to scientifical research armounted US$8 millons while in 1982 they were already US$21 rnillions, but in 1985 only US$18 rnillions dued to the economical crisis which affected almost all latinamerican countries. The last figure represents 0.12% of the national income. This figure is indeed too far from the l % level, which is supposed to be nece~ary for the country to prepare for filling the gap in relation with developed countries even those of the latin american and caribbean region. 

The governmental support in the yea1s 1978 and 1985 represented 91 %- of the total expenses for research activities in the country. Universities carry out 57% .jf the total amount of research projects. 

The average amount invested in each project in 1985 was US$18.000. In the same year 938 projects were carried out in state Universities, while only 202 in prívate Universities. 

A very high percentage (83%) ofthe Projects are applied Science oriented, while basic Science presents only 9.2% of the total amount. 

Eventhough most of the projects are applied science oriented, their results are not transfered to the economical productive system of the country, particulary to local industry. This system depends rather largely from the technological transference from high industrialized countries. Maybe, this is one of the main reasons why local Science has not yet reached the necessary prestige and recognition by the general public and by many local politicians, who are mainly interested in short term results. 

The general quality of our educational methods is still low. In my opinion, this is directly related with the marginal position which occupies Science in our society. Repetitive, memoristic learning is still predominant. Pedagogic methods which imply reflexive and critical chinking, at the same time necessary for creative work, are not extensively apply at the different educational levels.

Under these circunstances, interdisciplinary scientifical work, so necessary for solving problems related with social and economical development of the country has not yet been possible to implement and to develop successfully. However, one must recognize that in the last two decades, significant progress has been achieve to improve the institutional infrastructure necessary for scientifical research and training of students and young scientists. Trough Institutional and Individual cooperation between latin american countries, usi.ng, among others means, the Third World Academy of Sciences Programs will help, in my opinion, to find appropriate ways for strengthing Science in our region.