Science is the study of knowledge which depends on seeing and testing facts while technology is the practical application of scientific knowledge. A nation cannot be developed without science and technology because it is associated with modernity and it is an essential tool for rapid development. Modern gadgets in all aspects of human comfort, production of medicines and other treatment of illness are inventions of science and technology. They are also applied to fields such as architecture and agriculture.
Development Communication can play an important role to build the capacity to make use of scientific and technological knowledge so that development can be successful in achieving goals. Before providing the people these modern technology, one of the things to consider is to educate them on the importance and uses of these things for the development of themselves in particular and of their community in general. This is where development communicators come in. Development communicators can become channels to provide factual information in delivering technological education to communities in practical and useful ways, especially in the rural areas where people have limited knowledge and access on modern technology. They can visit these communities, identify their problems and help them find their solutions. For instance, in agricultural communities where television and radio availability is inadequate, development communicators can visit the residents, bringing with them these new technologies and resource persons who are authorized to conduct trainings to the residents on how to use newly-discovered agricultural breakthroughs. In this way, technologies can be extended to people with the power and skill to use them, thus maximizing their use.
Furthermore, development communicators can establish partnerships with government and non-government organizations to build communication channels to fully integrate the developmental process from governments down to community. This could help them gather more participants during these trainings.
Development Communication will always be related with Science and Technology because they have the same goal – to bring a nation towards progress.