Bridging innovations in academic institutions to society –

A discussion meeting

Organized byNational Institute of Advanced Studies, Bangalore &

Thematic Unit of Excellence, Indian Institute of Technology MadrasAt

National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bangalore

Sponsored byDepartment of Science and Technology

April 28-29, 2015

Rajeev KumarSecretary to the Government of West Bengal

Approach (from Tier 4) end

• Frontline technology

• Adapted to be simple and robust

• Adaptable for usage at community level– Time period; takers / no takers; feedback; localized..

• Saleable …political support

– Local salespersons / create jobs

• Individual focused

• Community oriented……locations / spokespersons

• Marketable……

• Handholding ?

Recipient end• PROBLEMS

– No clarity in policy / no policy– Plethora of interests– Good intentions need double the effort and ‘n’ times

patience• WISH LIST:

• INSTITUTIONALIZATION …Make in India / Ease of Doing Business..

– R & D B Y I N D I A– Why researchers, entrepreneurs and users will work

together?– Statutory framework

• national policy on ‘lab to field’

– Sharing of ownership, technology, royalties– Integrate testing with implementation

• Thrive in diversity for implementation

Recipient end (contd.)

– Closed loop approach– Hand holding for tech developers

• Data warehouse:– Empirical analysis– Technology – replicability – adaptability – test reports -

• ICPSR - The Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research (Univ of Maryland)

• Procurement policy• Need standards for intervention / evaluation:

– Safe drinking water– Sanitation (Latrines)– Primary education– Clean cook stoves– MORE……..

Way forward? Policy on patents

Should govt. take patent to discoveries it funded? Two views

Need for clear rights for private initiativeBroader goals of public researchAmendments to the Patent and Trademark Act (“Bayh-Dole” Act) Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980

Ownership of exclusive patents as an incentive for commercialization of technology within a reasonable period.

Government owned contractor operated facilities Cooperative R & D agreements (CRADAs)

Between govt labs and industry

Technology transfer offices in labs and universities

Thanks

Prof Baldev Raj, National Institute of Advanced Studies Bangalore

Pradeep Research Group, Indian Institute of Technology Madras

Government of West Bengal