TECHNOLOGY has become an integral part of human life, dramatically reshaping the existing socio-economic structure and driving the modern civilisation towards a destination where only a knowledgeable community will survive.

No doubt technology has a great influence on our imagination and at the same time it is playing a crucial role in determining our lifestyle. This new phenomenon has given birth to a new concept called knowledge-based society (KBS).

KBS does not necessarily envisage a society where only intelligent people will live; rather it paves the way for the equal participation of people where their rights will be ensured. Basically the concept of KBS became a reality when information technology integrated with social mechanisms to empower the people and spur sustainable development of the society.People experienced phenomenal changes in their livelihood due to this influence of technology. Since then information technology (IT) has become a dynamic of KBS. In a KBS, all people must have access to the right opportunity to utilise their inner potential and have the scope to take part in socio-economic development.

The ingredients of a KBS are technology, people and knowledge. We live in a technology-depended world and access to potential technology is mandatory to face the upcoming challenges. We also require sufficient flow of skilled manpower to generate innovate solutions by utilising high-end technologies. Before producing skilled human resource, we need to provide them with right knowledge or create the scope so that people get the chance to gather knowledge. On the other hand we need to create awareness to attract people. There is no specific model of KBS, but worldwide this new-age concept is adopted and practised by many countries. These countries in fact successfully incorporated IT in their national activities with a view to providing best possible services to their citizens. Slovak Republic has taken many pragmatic steps to build a KBS where people enjoy the blessing of modern technology in their daily activities. The Slovak government believes this kind of society is a prerequisite for democratic development, scientific and technological progress, economic growth and social security, employment and growth.

Under this initiative the government envisioned to create a knowledge network between academia, research institutes, government organs, corporate world and others in order to bring the 'unreachable' opportunities to the citizens. India has already formed a National Knowledge Commission (NKC) in 2005 and one of its prime objectives is to make India a knowledge-based society. India adopted such a strategy in order to address the existing social problems. They are optimistic about gaining three objectives, such as enrichment of educational process, empowerment of Panchayats and ethical commercialisation of the country's creative and cultural tradition. African country Uganda is also trying to merge itself with global information society trend. Other African countries such as Kenya, Nigeria and Senegal are also pacing towards knowledge-based society. More »»