you declared your readiness to intercede with the American government to obtain whatever material aid might be spent on constructive projects. And is there any project more nobly
constructive than an organized scientific renaissance?!
Lebanon today lacks the competent scientist, the creative researcher, and the expert workman. To meet this crisis and put an end to the scientific sterility we now face, all our resources must be mobilized and swift, decisive measures taken. First of all, a “National Research Council” must be formed, all of whose members shall be competent Lebanese scientists holding the doctorate or its equivalent.
It is essential that this council work in freedom; that it possess powers equal to those of a “ministry”; and that it be answerable only to the Prime Minister — or better still, if possible, to the President of the Republic himself. The council's principal responsibility would be to guide the government in the manner of proceeding and in how to lay down the plans and projects that will lead to the advancement of the sciences in Lebanon.
As members of the “National Research Council” I suggest certain names: Dr. Nicola Khoury (in physics), Dr. Jean Merhej (in zoology and botany), Mr. Joseph Najjar (engineer), Dr. Labib Haddad (in mathematics), Dr. Zuhair Baydoun (electronic sciences), Dr. Samir Thabit (in chemistry), Dr. Elie Baghdadi (expert in electronics), and Dr. Nazih Taleb (in mathematics).
These scientists, and many others besides, would form an excellent body of counselors to organize the projects and plans for a flourishing scientific future in Lebanon, so that our homeland may thereby prove itself an independent and dignified state.
This can be achieved along two paths, running side by side, each completing the other:
1 — Strengthening the sciences in the secondary schools: every secondary school, government or private, must be fully equipped with
a laboratory complete in its apparatus and a scientific library, and with at least two expert teachers. The growth and expansion of the sciences must also be supported by manual technical skill, which comes by way of a vocational school of high standard — and these too must be built in every province of Lebanon.
2 — A center for scientific research: to make research and study easier for scientists and investigators.
It would fall to the council to estimate the necessary budget, provided it is officially charged with the task; and I believe the period
of preparation and of fixing the budget need not exceed six weeks. At that point — and relying on your assurances, Your Excellency the Minister, that we can obtain the necessary funds — the council would be informed of the results of the contacts and of how much can be obtained. Here recourse may be had to certain technical experts from abroad, inviting them to give their opinions in consultation and drawing on their experience.
Please accept, Your Excellency the Doctor, the expression of my highest respect.
Salwa Nassar
Kleenex
Soft and gentle
Kleenex (Registered)
The most famous paper tissues
You need them
at every moment
and in any place
• at home
• at the office
• in the car
Packed in a way that makes them easy for you to use.
KLEENEX TISSUES
Kleenex — its colors are attractive