Bob W. Bell's research while affiliated with African Center for Technology Studies and other places

Fundacion Chile (FCh) has facilitated the processes of technology transfer, upgrading, adaptation and diffusion necessary to diversify Chile's natural resources and establish and maintain competitiveness in the world market. This paper explores the origins, impact and development of FCh in its early years, specifically focusing on its adaptive technology transfer process and indigenous capacity development in the Pacific salmon industry. We conclude the paper with policy and institutional options for developing economies based on lessons learned from FCh. FCh's concept of 'technology prospecting' can enable developing countries to use existing technical knowledge for economic development.

Africa's ability to meet its human welfare needs, participate in the global economy, and protect the environment will require considerable investment in science and innovation in general and engineering in particular. This article argues that viable strategies for building competence in engineering should seek to link engineering training directly to infrastructure projects. The African policy community should launch a global review of the lessons learned from international development efforts over the last fifty years that could guide a new phase of international development cooperation with a focus on the role of science and engineering in sustainable development.