THE HAGUE, 26/09/03 - Non-technical academic disciplines in the Netherlands should focus far more on concrete research which business could benefit from. They should get involved in ICT, the Advisory Council for Science and Technology Policy (AWT) recommended yesterday.

Disciplines such as history, philosophy and literature studies should use ICT to develop practically-oriented research methods for business. For example, language specialists could help adventure computer game producers to improve the story structure. Digital programs could also be developed for the integration of immigrants, or research carried out into the influence of SMS use on the Dutch language, according to two other examples given by the AWT.

In sectors such as telecommunications, multimedia and publishing, academics in the humanities could fill a gap if they set themselves up differently, the AWT writes. Other players, such as government, business and social organizations, must encourage and support academia, according to the AWT. It has advised the Education and Economic Affairs Ministers since 1991.