Search for new Standards in The Universities for Research and Innovation Bill 2012

What is needed to be called University for Research and Innovation?

For the purposes of determination of standards in higher education, every University for Research and Innovation shall determine and declare, on its website, the standards of such education sought to be provided in such University in its teaching, learning and research:

Provided that the standards so determined and declared by such University shall be higher than the minimum standards in the relevant field of knowledge as specified by or under any other law:

Provided further that where no standards have been determined by or under any law in the relevant field of knowledge, the standards so determined and declared by the University shall aim to maximize relative global scales in the relevant field of knowledge:

Provided also that where a dispute arises between such University and a regulatory authority constituted by any law to determine and coordinate standards of higher education in any discipline or field of knowledge, such dispute shall be referred to a committee of three persons of international eminence and standing of whom—

(i) one person shall be nominated by the regulatory body impugning the standards;

(ii) one person shall be nominated by such University for Research and Innovation, which has determined the standards so impugned;

(iii) one person shall be nominated by a University for Research and Innovation, chosen in such manner as may be prescribed, other than such University which has determined the standards so impugned:

Is this the best way to set standards for Innovation Universities ???

THE UNIVERSITIES FOR RESEARCH AND INNOVATION BILL, 2012

The bill is tabled in Parliament. Some aspects of the bills are highlighted here:



“public funded intellectual property” means an intellectual property which is the outcome of research and development in a University for Research and Innovation for which the Central Government, or any agency established, by or under any law or otherwise by the Central Government, has provided grants under sub-section (1) of section 20;
Chapter V deals with PROTECTION AND UTILISATION OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY EMERGING FROM PUBLIC FUNDED RESEARCH

Where a University for Research and Innovation creates new knowledge from research which is funded by the Central Government, or by any body under the Central Government and leading to an intellectual property, such University shall as soon as the fact of actual realisation of the public funded intellectual property comes to knowledge, make a disclosure thereof to the Central Government or such authority designated, by notification, by the Central Government.
(2) The University for Research and Innovation shall, within the period required by any law for the time being in force for protection of public funded intellectual property, intimate to the Central Government, its intention to retain the title of the public funded intellectual property and the Central Government shall, subject to such law, allow the title of such public funded intellectual property to vest in such University:

29. (1) The University for Research and Innovation retaining the title to a public funded intellectual property shall protect and utilise it in such manner as it may deem fit:

The income or royalties arising out of the public funded intellectual property shall be shared by the University for Innovation with the intellectual property creator in accordance with the provisions of any agreement which may be entered into in this regard between such intellectual property creator and such University.


IP resulting out of part funding by Government - do they come under this definition of Public Funded IP? Where as Public Funded University is defined as the one whose capital investment is fully funded by Government, same is not clear with respect to IP.


Welcome comments on this?

Innovations and Research by private agribusiness in India: Carl E Pray and Latha Nagarrajan

There has been lot of discussion on need for second green revolution and very little on who will drive it and deliver the results. This paper can lead to informed discussion on this subject. Abstract from the report:

  Agricultural innovations in India have rapidly increased since the 1980s. Government data and surveys of seed firms show that from about 1990 to 2010 the number of new seed cultivars available to farmers in maize, wheat, and rice roughly doubled, while the number of cotton cultivars at least tripled. Biotechnology innovations went from zero in the 1990s to 5 genetically modified (GM) traits in hundreds of GM cotton cultivars by 2008. Pesticide registrations went from 104 in the period 1980–1989 to 228 during the period 2000–2010. Similar growth in innovations also occurred in the agricultural machinery, veterinary medicine, and agricultural processing industries.
These innovations have come from foreign technology transferred into India as well as from in-country public and—increasingly—private research. Based on interviews with firms and data from annual reports, we find that private investment in agricultural research grew from US$54 million in 1994/95 to US$250 million in 2008/09 (in 2005 dollars). Growth in private research and development (R&D) expenditure was particularly rapid in the seed and plant biotechnology industry, which grew by more than 10 times between the mid-1990s and 2009.
Private innovations have contributed to agricultural productivity and incomes. Research and innovation by private industry led to the boom in cotton exports and to rapid increases in exports of generic pesticides and agricultural machinery. Private hybrids of cotton, rice, maize, pearl millet, and sorghum increased yields over public hybrids, varieties, and landraces. Small farmers in some of the poorest regions of India—the semiarid tropics of central India and the rainfed rice regions of eastern India—get higher productivity with private hybrids.


One of  the suggestion for policy reform:
Invest in public research and higher education, and make scientists available to private research. The number of state agricultural universities (SAUs) and the students they produce have increased; however, the number of scientists at SAUs has declined, along with research funding per scientist (Jha and Kumar 2006; Ramaswamy and Selvaraj 2007). Drastic reforms and more resources are needed in graduate education and research at SAUs to train the young scientists that private firms are asking for. These reforms could include expanding government support for graduate education and research beyond Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) institutes and SAUs to nonagricultural institutes that have strong basic science programs. ICARs and SAUs should also re-examine research priorities to avoid duplicating research now conducted in the private sector and to concentrate on research for public goods. Where applied private research is strong, public research centers should shift their research focus to basic research that supports private applied research. At the same time, the private sector should contribute more financial and political support to public strategic research.


Any comments?

The Tech Awards Names N.R. Narayana Murthy Recipient of The James C. Morgan Global Humanitarian Award

Indian philanthropist N.R. Narayana Murthy, who founded tech services giant Infosys along with six colleagues and went on to become one of India's most influential advocates for health care and rural development, has been named the ninth recipient of The James C. Morgan Global Humanitarian Award, 

"This award honors leaders whose vision, passion and dedication are helping to change the world," said Mike Splinter, Chairman and CEO of Applied Materials, Inc. "Narayana Murthy embodies the spirit of the Global Humanitarian Award. Through his leadership in business and philanthropy, he has improved the lives of many in India and beyond."

Murthy joins an impressive roster of recipients of The James C. Morgan Global Humanitarian award that includes internet entrepreneur Jeff Skoll, education and cross-cultural dialogue advocate Queen Rania Al Abdullah of Jordan, Nobel Laureate and former U.S. Vice President Al Gore, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates and Applied Materials' Chairman Emeritus James C. Morgan, who inspired the award.

He will accept the honor in Silicon Valley on Thursday, November 15, 2012 during The Tech Awards gala, presented by Applied Materials, in association with the Center for Science, Technology, and Society at Santa Clara University. The award will be presented at a ceremony that also recognizes 12 innovators from around the world who apply technology in creative and practical ways to improve the human condition in areas such as health, education, environment and economic development.

Diploma in Basic Rural Technology” (Batch 2012-13)

Vigyan ashram announced  opening of admission for “Diploma in Basic Rural Technology” (Batch 2012-13). This course is recognized by National Institute of Open Schooling and useful for students interested to learn by hands. This is a multi-skill program in which training is given in the area of: Engineering- (Fabrication & construction& Basic Carpentry, Engineering Drawing & Costing ),  Energy & Environment - (Electrical, Motor rewinding, survey techniques, solar / biogas etc.),  Home and Health (Sewing, food processing and rural lab), Agriculture and Animal Husbandry (polyhouse, poultry, goat farming, dairy nursery techniques).

Course Duration: 10th July, 2012 – 25th June, 2013, Admission for DBRT will start from 15th April 2012, Minimum qualification: 8th STD pass, willing to work by hand, preferably from rural areas.A] Course Fees: Rs.8000/-B] Hostel & kitchen charges: Rs.12000/-pa (Rs. 1000 per month)  Contact: Vigyan Ashram, At Post- Pabal, District- Pune 412403, Phone: 02138 292326Contact Person for admission: Principle Anand Gosavi: 9960865463, 07276353282, e-mail: vapabal@gmail.com, vapabal.dbrt@gmail.com

Protect your Ideas- book available on Flipkart

The easy to read book on Patents, `Protect your Ideas' authored by Rajeev Surana is available at Flipkart. Price is Rs 295. Rajeev Surana relates patents, designs to innovations with several illustrations. Innovators, entrepreneurs would be able to connect with the content effortlessly.

Green Dragon: 20 signs that 2012 is the year of China

Biofuels Digest published this article, which I want to share with readers of my blog. The reasons cited for this assertion are:  Incubating next generation technologies in China, investment in integrated biorefineries, funding research on Aviation  biofuels, African supply chain etc.

Grand Challenge in Global Health- 9th round closes by 15th May

Topics for Grand Challenges Explorations Round 9 are:

• New Approaches for the Interrogation of Anti-malarial Compounds - new!
• Aid is Working. Tell the World - new!
• Explore New Solutions for Global Health Priority Areas
• Design New Approaches to Optimize Immunization Systems
• Protect Crop Plants from Biotic Stresses From Field to Market

NABARD invites application for Award for Rural Innovations 2012, Mumbai, apply by May 15, 2012

See post by Sucheetra in India Water portal.

Effectron offers technology to African countries to manufacture solar lighting products

Effectron is an independent organization under private sector, having in-house R&D and product design centre for Solar Lighting products. They have licensed designs to an Indian Company to manufacture and market them in India. All products have found acceptance in Indian market. They now offer, to transfer  technology to manufacture Solar Lighting products in African country, using locally available materials and resources. All designed products are meant for people living at the “Bottom of Pyramid” and where grid connectivity is poor. Since these products have been designed and developed from concept in house, the firm  can transfer all the relevant knowledge to produce locally, and train technicians and engineer. 
contact: Gopal Darbari, MD, Gopal Darbari

Address for service in India (patent cases)

Indian Innovators Association (IIA) has received request from innovators , living outside India and with no business address in India, to assist them with temp local address.  IIA is favorably inclined to support such overseas (independent) innovators with the understanding, they would reciprocate and extend similar help to Indian innovators. The provision as per Indian law is reproduced below:
  ADDRESS FOR SERVICE IN INDIA (PATENT CASES)

Sometimes, the Registry receives applications or appeals filed against respondents who do not carry on business in India. The Registry has come across both Applications and Appeals, wherein the Respondent does not carry on business in India. However, the address for service in India in respect of the Respondent as filed before the Patent office in Form 1 is not given. The Registry, therefore, has to effect service on the Respondent directly at the foreign address. Sometimes, the notice is not served for various reasons and those Application / Appeal papers are returned to the Registry. In those circumstances, the Registry is requested by the Postal authorities to collect the returned parcels by paying a specified amount on account of demurrage, etc. There is no provision to collect the returned parcels by the Registry. Further Form 2 of the Patents Appeals & Application to the IPAB Rule 2011 provides for intimation of address for service in India if the applicant has no place of business or of residence in India. The same will be applicable to Respondent also. In view of the above, the Registry may insist on address for service in India, and the applicants / appellants are required to specify the same. If the above is not complied with, the Registry shall issue defect notice.

(By Order)

Deputy Registrar

23rd September 2011

`Inspire to Innovate' contest

In partnership with Indian Innovators Association, SkyQuest launched `Inspire to Innovate' contest on World IP day. Details:

Who Inspired your innovation and how?
It could be a childhood story you read or a conversation in the lab. Share it and inspire the community to innovate.

Eligibility
All innovators (individual or groups) can apply.

Mandate

• The story should be about an innovation either work in progress or a past project. It can be at any stage of development.* The innovation should be beyond just an idea, vision or a dream.
• Story length: One page

For queries write to sheel.damani@skyquestt.com

Contest deadline: 21^st May 2012

Irrway- personal mobility vehicle from Greendzine

Irrway , personal mobility vehicle is one of the products offered by Green Tech start-up Greendzine incubated at IIMB-NSRCL. The core team is made of:

•Anjan: has 12+ yrs of experience in R&D, product Innovation and has multiple patent pending technologies to his credit. He was heading TCS – IISc joint initiative on ‘Frugal Innovation’ at IISc. He was @ TCS earlier.
•Ananth: has 10+ yrs of experience in Product Development, Documentation and Project Management Office. He was @ HAL earlier.
•Guru: has 15+ yrs of experience in Product Design and Manufacturing and has multiple patent pending technologies to his credit. He was with CMTI earlier.
•Karthik: has 5+yrs of experience in Embedded technology and holds a masters degree in Power electronics from Anna University. He was @ TCS earlier.
•Vivek: has 10+yrs of experience in handling turnkey projects and holds a Management degree from IIMB. He was with Saint-Gobain earlier.

Several of its features are patented and full unit of Irrway costs as little as replacement battery cost of Segway.

Auto -distractor innovation: Rice University Vs Prasad Kulakarni

Undergraduate students of Rice university developed Linear Distractor LinDi to automate the process of lengthening children bone. It is an innovation of great importance and the students have done a great job. This takes me back to Prasad Naryan Kulkarni innovation `Auto- Distractor' supported under TePP, the first project to be supported  under both Phase-1 and Phase-II. This innovation was covered widely in Indian press and in my article `The Bottom of Pyramid Innovations' .  Hope the students of Rice university are aware of Indian innovation.

R&D in India conference 2012, Mumbai

Yoogma Business services in association with TRIZ Association of Asia, Indian Innovators Association is organising this conference on R&D in India , 23-24th August 2012. The speakers include, 
KVSP Rao, Adviser & Head (RDI), DSIR, 
Dr T Ashokan, Chief Scientist, GE, 
Shree Padnis, TRIZ expert, SKF India, 
Araving Chinchure, Asst VP, Innovations, Reliance Industries ltd, 
Sujata Paranjape, Head (R&D) Siemens, 
Dr Rajiv Kumar, Chief Scientist, Innovation Center,Tata Chemicals ltd, 
A.S.Rao, 
Dr Sudhakar Mhaskar, Marico and 
Hongsug,Director, POSCO. 
Contact person: Norton Vaz

Dr Hamadoun Toure, Secretary General, ITU, Geneva to attend 6th National Telecom Awards 2012

The National Telecom Awards^TM 2012 would be presented by a galaxy of VIPs including Hon'ble Shri Vir Bhadra Singh, Union Minister for MSME, Honble Dr Farooq Abdullah, Union Minister for New & Renewable Energy, Honble Mr. Jyotiraditya Scindia, Minister of State for Commerce & Industries, Honble Mr. Sachin Pilot, Minister of State for Communications and IT, Honble Sh Millind Deora, Minister of State for Communications and IT,  Honble Sh TKA Nair, Advisor to Honble Prime Minister of India,  Dr JS Sarma, IAS, Chairman, TRAI,  Sh R Chandrashekhar, Secretary Dot, Govt. of India, Prof Dr SS Mantha, Chairman, AICTE etc. Dr Hamadoun Toure, Secretary General ITU Geneva has consented to join (on his maiden visit to India after assuming charge in January, 2007).
 Date : 8th May, 2012 (Date preponed from 11th May), 4.30-7.00PM,Siri Fort Auditorium, New Delhi,
Contact person: NK Goyal, President, CMAI,cmainkgoyals@yahoo.com

Skyquest looking for technologies for incubation in India

Skyquest is scouting late stage technologies in the Agriculture and Allied Sectors including Horticulture, Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Sericulture. The technology can be a Patented or Non-patented; a Product or a Process having low investment bracket.

The technologies shortlisted would be then presented to Agritech Entrepreneurs. 

Contact person: 

Ms. Kathak Mehta | Technology Deal Starter,  kathak.mehta@skyquestventures.com  

India, U.S. Investing Together in Clean Energy Research

The three lead U.S. institutions — the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, the University of Florida and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory — have partnered with three lead Indian institutions: the Indian Institute of Science–Bangalore, the Indian Institute of Chemical Technology–Hyderabad and CEPT University–Ahmedabad

Read more: http://iipdigital.usembassy.gov/st/english/article/2012/04/201204163975.html?distid=ucs#ixzz1sPCL7Rtb

Application process is now open for the 2013 Stanford-India Biodesign (SIB) Fellowship

Application process is now open for the 2013 Stanford-India Biodesign (SIB) Fellowship. The goal of this programme, launched in 2007, is to train the next generation of biomedical technology innovators in India. This highly competitive programme is directed to Indian citizens who have an interest in the invention and early-stage development of new biomedical technologies.  

Fellows receive tuition, stipend support, and international travel arrangements. Over the course of the 1 year fellowship, approximately half of the fellows’ time will be spent at Stanford University and the other half in India. Fellows work on a multidisciplinary team joining other innovators with a combination of engineering, medical and business backgrounds. Preference will be given to applicants with significant work experience.

The fellowship application deadline is May 18th, 2012. Select applicants will be interviewed in Delhi. The fellowship starts at Stanford in January 2013.

A detailed programme description and fellowship application are available at the Stanford Biodesign Programme website: http://biodesign.stanford.edu/bdn/india

For further programme details, please contact info@sibiodesign.org.

Kauffman Sketchbook - "Take the Leap"