NISCAIR Short Term Training Courses on Science Communication, IPR, Digital Information Management, etc.

NISCAIR, CSIR, New Delhi conducts short term courses in the field of Science Communication, IPR, Digital Information Management and other areas such as:

• Access and management of e-resources
• Bibliometrics tools and techniques for measurement and evaluation of research outputs
• Design and development of digital libraries using DSpace
• Design and development of digital libraries using GSDL
• Fundamentals of IPR
• Herbarium techniques
• Information Technology for Information Management
• Intellectual Property Management
• Knowledge management for librarians
• Networking
• Patent and Prior Art Search for Patenting
• Patent Drafting
• Science communication and Science Popularization
• Technical Writing and Editing
• Web 2.0 applications for libraries

Download Application Form
Download Short Term Training Course Calendar (2009-2010)

For details, please visit: http://niscair.res.in/ActivitiesandServices/HRD/hrd.html and for any clarification, feel free to contact Dr. Narendra Kumar, In-Charge, Training Division (+91-11-26965094 / +91-11-26863617) at narendrakumar[at]niscair.res.in

Global Industrial R&D Conclave 2009 : Strategies to Drive Growth in Economic Crisis

Global Industrial R&D Conclave 2009: Strategies to Drive Growth in Economic Crisis

Coinciding with India's National Technology Day

11-12 May 2009

Hotel Le Meridien, New Delhi

Organized by

Global Innovation & Technology Alliance (GITA)

Confederation of Indian Industry &

Department of Science & Technology, Government of India

Background
Recognising the importance of research, technology & innovation to emerge from this historic global economic crisis, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in partnership with Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of India, is creating a platform to discuss and share models, best practices and R&D strategies, to encourage innovation-driven growth, commercial research and to convert knowledge to wealth.The economic meltdown has created alarming conditions for R&D- and innovation-led businesses where risk capital is scarce which has placed R&D investments at lower priority. However, some leading innovative firms have been less impacted by the crisis due to their technology competitiveness, new product development and greater efficiency through investments in research. Governments across the globe are trying to boost the economy and industrial growth through strategic policy changes by creating a more favourable R&D ecosystem.The Global Industrial R&D Conclave would be a forum for R&D Heads/ CTOs/ Business Strategists of leading innovative firms, heads of government programmes promoting industrial R&D, research directors of premier technical universities and VCs/angel investors to share their experiences and strategies to overcome the economic crisis. It would also be a learning and sharing platform for relevant stakeholders to understand the value of technological competitiveness in a crisis situation.

R&D Ecosystem: Issues & Challenges
The Global Industrial R&D Conclave will debate on issues and challenges of the R&D ecosystem, with specific reference to the global economic crisis.

• R&D expenditure vis-a-vis profitability
• Converting knowledge to wealth: IP generation, protection, leasing and selling
• Developing Industry - Academia Linkage
• Government initiatives to support industry for R&D
• Venture capital and angel funding
• High Technology Trade and manufacturing competitiveness
• Industry partnership in long term research of national importance
• International and Collaborative Industrial R&D

Plenary Sessions

• Investment in R&D – a strategic tool to emerge stronger during global crisis – successful models
• Government Initiatives to stimulate innovation and attract investment in R&D - Successful models
• Industry-Academia – Government Partnership: Complementing Strengths
• Venture Funding in the Post crisis world

For Registration Contact:
CII Secretariat: Ms.Divya Arya, Project Assistant, Confederation of Indian Industry at divya.arya[at]cii.in.

Download Agenda & Registration Form

More Information

Corporate Misgovernance at the World Bank

Corporate Misgovernance at the World Bank

by Ashwin Kaja & Eric Werker

Harvard Business School Working Paper 2009

Abstract:
This paper examines the politics of corporate governance at the world's largest appropriations committee, the World Bank's Board of Executive Directors, and exposes a weakness in the design of the World Bank's decision-making structure. Any large public organization faces a challenge of representation and management. Since all decisions cannot be made by all members, founders often grant a more nimble body with decision-making powers. But representatives on the decision-making body may face a temptation to govern in the interests of their own wallet or narrow constituency rather than in the interests of the larger body. In 2008, the Bank's two primary component institutions — the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and the International Development Association (IDA) — committed nearly $25 billion in loans and grants through some 300 development projects around the globe. Where did it go? By exploring the political dynamics and corporate governance of an international appropriations committee, we not only learn about international organizations but also the nature of the international system itself.

Download Full-text PDF

FAO Book on the Socio-Economic Impacts of Non-Transgenic Biotechnologies in Developing Countries

Socio-Economic Impacts of Non-Transgenic Biotechnologies in Developing Countries: The Case of Plant Micropropagation in Africa. By Andrea Sonnino, Zephaniah Dhlamini, Fabio Maria Santucci and Patrizio Warren. Rome: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2009. ISBN 978-92-5-106076-6.

Table of Contents
Part 1
Preface
Acknowledgments
Contributors
List of abbreviations
Part 2
1. Assessing the socio-economic impacts of non-transgenic biotechnologies in developing countries
2. Survey on micropropagation utilization in selected African countries
3. Case studies from Uganda and Zimbabwe
References

Abstract
This publication aims to contribute to the knowledge of socio-economic impacts of the adoption of biotechnologies, focusing on non-transgenic biotechnologies (i.e. biotechnologies other than genetic engineering). The first paper discusses some approaches used in innovations’ impact assessment and presents a general overview of the literature about the impacts of nontransgenic biotechnologies. Some studies which have explored the extent of the application of micropropagation in Africa, with special attention to Gabon, Mali, Nigeria, Uganda, and Zimbabwe are presented in the second paper. The case studies from Uganda and Zimbabwe, included in the third paper, present the main findings of two field studies, carried out with an anthropological approach, aimed at better understanding the motivations and conditions favouring the innovation process, and at identifying direct and indirect impacts on livelihoods, derived from the adoption of planting materials generated through micropropagation techniques.

Download Full-text PDF [1,068Kb]

International Essay Contest "The Role of Science in Building a Better World"

2009 International Essay Contest for Young People Organized by The Goi Peace Foundation and UNESCO

Theme: "The Role of Science in Building a Better World"

Scientific progress has brought many benefits to humanity, while some applications of science have had adverse impacts. What kind of science and technology do you think is needed for realizing a more equitable, prosperous and sustainable world for all? Please express your vision for the future of science, including examples of studies or researches you wish to engage in. The United Nations has designated 2001-2010 as the "International Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-Violence for the Children of the World" and 2005-2014 as the "United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development." Not only should young people benefit from these global initiatives, but they should be empowered to play a leading role in them. The theme of this year's International Essay Contest is "The role of science in building a better world." Young people from around the world are invited to submit their innovative ideas on this theme.

Guidelines:

1. Essays may be submitted by anyone up to 25 years old (as of June 30, 2009) in one of the following age categories:

a) Children (ages up to 14)

b) Youth (ages 15 - 25)

2. Essays must be 800 words or less, typed or printed in English, French, Spanish or German.

3. Entries may be submitted by postal mail or e-mail. (Email entries must be in text or MS Word format, with the cover page and essay sent together as one document.)

4. Essays must be original and unpublished.

5. Essays must be written by one person. Co-authored essays are not accepted.

6. Copyright of the essays entered will be assigned to the organizers.

Deadline:

Entries must be received by June 30, 2009.

Awards:

The following awards will be given in the Children’s category and Youth category respectively:

1st Prize: Certificate and prize of 100,000 Yen (approx. US$1,000) ... 1 entrant

2nd Prize: Certificate and prize of 50,000 Yen (approx. US$500) ... 2 entrants

3rd Prize: Certificate and gift ... 5 entrants

Honorable Mention: Certificate and gift ... 25 entrants

* 1st prize winners will be invited to the award ceremony in Tokyo, Japan scheduled for November 2009. (Travel expenses will be covered by the organizers.)

** All prize winners will be announced in November 2009 on the Goi Peace Foundation web site (www.goipeace.or.jp) and UNESCO web site (www.unesco.org/youth).

Please send your entries to:

International Essay Contest

c/o The Goi Peace Foundation

1-4-5 Hirakawacho, Chiyoda-ku,

Tokyo 102-0093 Japan

Email: essay[at]goipeace.or.jp

Further Details:

http://www.goipeace.or.jp/pdf/2009/essay-contest2009_e.pdf or http://www.goipeace.or.jp/english/activities/programs/0901.html

Systems of Innovation, Learning and Capabilities: Challenges for India and Brazil

A Presentation by

Prof. Arlindo Vilaschi

Federal University at Espirito Santo State (Brazil)

on

Systems of Innovation, Learning and Capabilities: Challenges for India and Brazil

Delivered on 1st April 2009 at CSSP, SSS, JNU

This presentation discusses features of the learning process that takes place in Innovation Knowledge and production. It looks at the constraints and possibilities that foster economic competitiveness and social capabilities. It argues that neo-schumpeterian frameworks suggest that innovation learning is bound by technological availabilities.

Download Presentation