E-Paper
Science and Technology
The Committee felt it was not surprising that Scientists & Technologists of Indian Origin (STIOs) have earned a name for themselves inter-alia in the cutting edge fields of Science and Technology (S&T).
The Committee felt it was not surprising that Scientists & Technologists of Indian Origin (STIOs) have earned a name for themselves inter-alia in the cutting edge fields of Science and Technology (S&T). Some of the best of our scientific and engineering talent has emigrated from India to the United States since the 1960s.
With the setting up of the research and development (R&D) headquarters of major multinationals in other countries (for example Nortel in Canada), Indian scientists and engineers are now emigrating to other destinations that offer comparable opportunities. The trend accelerated significantly in the wake of America's IT-led economic boom in the 90s, to which Indian IT professionals have made a visible, high profile and widely recognised contribution.
STIOs have set up several alumni-based and professional networks at the cutting edge of technologies in various advanced countries. There is thus an institutional basis for interaction with this section of the Indian Diaspora. They are also keen to contribute to their country of origin.
STIOs are already helping by promoting links between Indian and foreign R & D laboratories by encouraging sub-contracting of research assignments and recruiting Indian research talent; sponsoring Indian scientists for academic and research positions in prestigious academic-cum-research institutions in cutting-edge fields abroad; making generous endowments for their alma maters, especially the IITs, for upgrading their infrastructure and human resource development.
The Committee felt that it was therefore important to evolve a mechanism to deepen linkages in this field with the Indian Diaspora. Based on a report by the 'Expert Group on the Role of NRIs and PIOs in S&T prepared at the initiative of the High Level Committee, several recommendations have been made to create new avenues to network with STIOs to deepen India's excellence in Science and Technology as well as demonstrate India's appreciation for our Diaspora's invaluable contribution in this field, as follows:
- Instituting National Recognition Systems for STIOs who have rendered beneficial services to India;
- Sponsoring schemes for visits of distinguished STIOs to India;
- Setting up joint ventures in India based on technologies sourced from STIOs and introduction of 100 such technologies into India;
- Establishing Technology Corridors;
- Promoting schemes for Indian S&T professionals' visits to and attachment with foreign laboratories for research facilitated by STIOs;
- Provision in Indian Scientific Agencies' Extramural Research Schemes funds for participation of STIOs as Visiting Scholars/ Research Consultants in Indian research & technology development projects;
- And setting up of Advisory Panels by Indian Scientific Agencies involving eminent STIOs for sourcing venture capital and new technologies into India.
