Last August, an uncommon institution in our countries, both for its characteristics as for its long lasting action, celebrated its 50^th anniversary. It is the Venezuelan Foundation for the Advancement of Science (FundaVAC), created four years after the Venezuelan Association for the Advancement of Science (AsoVAC), a member of the Interciencia Association, by the initiative of some of the most distinguished scientists of the time, particularly of Werner Jaffé, who proposed the original idea and was backed, among others, by Francisco de Venanzi, the man behind the creation of AsoVAC. The purpose of the Foundation was essentially that of promoting a better understanding on the part of the national productive sector about the importance of scientific activity and in this way obtain, among other goals, financial support for the activity and, above all, for the institution that was at the time its best representative, AsoVAC. The by-laws of the Foundation express this very clearly when it is specified that "FundaVAC aims to establish links between entrepreneurs and scientists; finance projects proposed by the Venezuelan Association for the Advancement of Science (AsoVAC); and advise and provide documented technical information to those who are the object of its mission" and, also, "…to serve as a liaison between the entrepreneurial sectors, their guilds and social interest organization on the one hand and, on the other hand, with the scientific researchers, in the promotion and development of science and technologies in the country."

Along these 50 years of activities, many have been the accomplishments of the Foundation. It has fulfilled its statutory obligation to financially help AsoVAC, taking to this end various initiatives such as constructing a building, the rent of which has permitted and permits the fulfillment of its commitment. Besides this important achievement, the Foundation has granted scholarships, promoted events, invited personalities from the scientific world, sponsored radio and television science dissemination programs, and many other actions within its limited financial capabilities. The directories of the Foundation have been integrated, from its beginnings, by men of enterprises and people linked to the productive sector in general, and during many years enthusiastic work has resulted in the Foundation’s well deserved prestige.

Half a century after its creation, the country’s conditions have changed in many aspects, particularly those concerning the scientific and industrial development. It can be said that, despite all the limitations, the national scientific activity cannot be compared to what it was 50 years ago. The same can be said about our industrial activity.

Nevertheless, an equivalent progress is not found in one of the fundamental goals of FundaVAC, which is linking the productive sector and that of science and technology. The existing links continue to be relatively weak, even when compared to some countries in our own region. Beyond words and goodwill, the gap between entrepreneurs and scientists continues to be large. Certainly, the other indicated goals are more concrete and thus, more easily reachable. It is precisely for this reason that the institutions should orient themselves, as they seem to be doing, towards the purpose, undoubtedly that of the highest relevance in the medium and long run, of consolidating the link between the sectors, which remains as a weak element in our integral development.

From a strategic, so to say, point of view, the existence of FundaVAC could have, in such manner, a much more transcendental significance than, for example, a mere collaboration for the organization of the annual multidisciplinary meeting of AsoVAC or the establishment of some specific and punctual programs. Such activities could be of great interest, but they are certainly limited under the light of a more global vision of the country’s development.

In any case, the existence of an institution such as FundaVAC, with its long trajectory, its prestige, its goals, its foresight of the future and its natural audience formed by entrepreneurs, scientists, technologists and industrialists, can be an important factor of change in that difficult relation that exists in our countries between scientific and industrial development.

Manuel Bemporad

Professor, Universidad Central de Venezuela