I read with interest the report “Shoura hints at R&D funds for universities” (Feb. 25). Such a move is very important to boost the culture of research in the Kingdom. However, I urge the authorities to take steps to promote research activities in social sciences as well. There is a great need to give equal importance to social and psychological issues facing the masses. Unfortunately, there is a dearth of able social scientists in the entire Muslim world. We are living in the age of information technology. Each one of us faces a deluge of information in one form or the other. Various disciplines of social sciences help us deal with the effect of this mass information. Our media is not even aware of the power it possesses to induce positive change among the masses using different techniques. In the West, major media houses have separate R&D wings dealing with such issues. Many television programs subtly tip viewers’ opinions in favor of their respective governments.

Yawar Siddiqui

Dammam