Seminar on ICT Measurement and Indicators concluded in New Delhi

14-May-2009, New Delhi: The Department of Information Technology (DIT), Government of India, in collaboration with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), organized a Seminar on ICT Measurement and Indicators in New Delhi (India) from 12 to 14 May 2009, to discuss on issues related to measurement of ICT access, infrastructure, usage and impact on the society in general, and on business, individuals, governance and education in particular.

To take advantage of the rapidly changing information society, governments need to monitor and benchmark progress in order to design and review national policies and strategies. In order to do so, reliable data and indicators on the access and use of ICTs, and their impact on development have to be defined and collected. Such data and indicators help governments design and evaluate ICT policies and strategies, compare their ICT developments with those in other countries, and adopt solutions to reduce the digital divide. In order to so, different agencies need to work together to identify priority areas and to examine ways of coordinating activities, to maximize available resources and achieve optimum results.

The Seminar was addressed to national ICT policymakers, regulatory agencies, national statistical offices, industry associations and academia. It covered issues related to indicators for infrastructure and access, households, business, education, and e-government; benchmarking the information society; measuring impact; measuring ICT and gender; security and trust in the online environment; statistics on ICT-enabled services; and capacity building for ICT measurement.

There was a session on Indicators on ICT in Education, where Mr. S. Venkataraman of UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) briefly introduced concepts of Information Literacy Indicators, Media Development Indicators, and Literacy Assessment and Monitoring Programme (LAMP) of UIS, which are very useful for measuring the information society.

In this Seminar, following manuals/ publications were extensively consulted for understanding of concepts and methodologies:

• Revisions and Additions to the Core List of ICT Indicators, Partnership on Measuring ICT for Development, 2009.
• Manual for Measuring ICT Access and Use by Households and Individuals, International Telecommunication Union, 2009.
• Manual for the Production of Statistics on the Information Economy, revised edition, UNCTAD, 2009.
• Measuring ICT: the Global Status of ICT Indicators, Partnership on Measuring ICT for Development, 2005.
• Measuring the Information Society: The ICT Development Index, International Telecommunication Union, 2009.
• Information and Communications Technology Statistics, Partnership on Measuring Information and Communication Technologies for Development, 2009.

The seminar provided a platform for national experts, policymakers, practitioners and stakeholders to discuss ICT indicators and topics that are important to national policymaking. The Seminar has made some suggestions to improve the availability of ICT statistics in India, such as:

• harmonization and scaling up of statistics available with deferent ministries, national statistical offices and other agencies;
• bridging the data gaps between available statistics and statistics required based on Revised Core List of ICT Indicators;
• adaptation of international statistical tools and guidelines in gathering, analyzing and presenting statistical data; and
• capacity building at the national level as well as state-level so that quality and reliability of data can be maintained.

Information Economy Report 2007-2008

Information Economy Report 2007-2008: Science and Technology for Development: the New Paradigm of ICT
Prepared by the UNCTAD secretariat. New York: United Nations, 2007

Highlights
The Information Economy Report 2008 - Science and technology for development: the new paradigm of ICT, analyses the current and potential contribution of information technology to knowledge creation and diffusion. It explores how ICTs help generate innovations that improve the livelihoods of the poor and support enterprise competitiveness. The report examines how ICTs affect productivity and growth and reflects on the need for a development-oriented approach to intellectual property rights in order to enable effective access to technology. ICT has also given rise to new models for sharing knowledge and collective production of ideas and innovations, known as "open access" models, which often bypass the incentive system provided by intellectual property rights.
The Report presents a current cross-section of themes and analysis that aim to inform and enable governments to understand the policy challenges and opportunities. The analysis identifies important areas of concern and best practices necessary for the formulation of targeted policy decisions to support and accelerate ICT diffusion. In particular, the Information Economy Report 2007-2008 addresses the following issues:

• Trends in ICT access and use consisting of basic ICT indicators and an analysis of how ICTs impact on enterprises in developing countries;
• The ICT producing sector and the emerging South examines the role of the sector from the perspective of South-South trade, while exploring issues of the relationship between ICTs and employment, FDI and outsourcing;
• Measuring the impact of ICT on productive efficiency through a case study of Thailand confirms that developing countries can benefit as much as developed ones from increasing ICT use;
• ICT, e-business and innovation policies highlights the need for balance between policy stability and flexibility to meet the needs of evolving ICTs and feedback from policy implementation;
• E-banking and e-payments explains the potential of ICTs to improve overall business efficiency and assist in bringing SMEs and micro-enterprises into the formal economy;
• ICTs for the poor are discussed within the scope of the increasing use of mobile telephones and supportive policy measures and the potential of telecentres to promote livelihoods by providing access to relevant information and business opportunities to rural and poor populations.

Table of Contents

• Introduction:: Science and Technology for Development: the New Paradigm of ICT
• Chapter 1: Trends in ICT Access and Use
• Chapter 2: The ICT Producing Sector and the Emerging South
• Chapter 3: Measuring the Impact of ICT on Production
• Chapter 4: ICT, E-Business and Innovation Policies in Developing Countries
• Chapter 5: E-Banking and E-Payments: Implications for Developing and Transition Economies
• Chapter 6: Mobile Telephony in Africa: Cross-Country Comparison
• Chapter 7: Promoting Livelihoods through Telecentres
• Chapter 8: Harmonizing Cyber Legislation at the Regional Level: The Case of ASEAN

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First Indian Youth Science Congress 2009

First Indian Youth Science Congress

Date: June 5-7, 2009

Venue: Chennai

Organized by M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation, Chennai; Rajiv Gandhi National Institute of Youth Development, Chennai; and SRM University, Chennai

Focal Theme 1: Youth and Shaping the Future of Innovations in Science for Societal Needs

Focal Theme 2: Your Planet Needs You: Unite to Combat Climate Change

India is a land of the youth with more than sixty percent of the population of 1.1 billion falling under the age of thirty-five. The opportunities for education in science and technology are growing. Our young scientists are making a mark in many areas of technology like biotechnology, space, atomic energy, information and communication, etc. Increasing number of IITs and Technical Universities are being established. There are also many Women’s and Rural Universities as well as Home Science Colleges. There are nearly sixty Agricultural, Veterinary and Fisheries Universities. Universities also exist in the field of Forestry. The time is, therefore, opportune to provide our young scholars and scientists an opportunity for sharing their views on how our country can progress not only in technology development but also in dissemination. How can we become world leaders in frontier areas of science and technology? How can our young scientists be nurtured to grow into Nobel Laureates?

Hon’ble Prime Minister of India Shri Manmohan Singh, while inaugurating the Indian Science Congress at Shillong on 3rd January 2009, made the following timely observation “The best science is done by young people. Our institutions must be receptive to the needs of young people. They must promote younger talent and allow youth to lead. Seniority and age may be relevant in bureaucratic systems, but scientific institutions must be led by intellectual leaders, irrespective of age”.

The Indian Youth Science Congress (IYSC) is being organized at Rajiv Gandhi National Institute of Youth Development (An Autonomous Organization of Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, GOI) Sriperumbudur, Chennai, TamilNadu during June 5-7, 2009. It intend to provide a voice to young scientists and scholars on how we as a nation can contribute more to advancing the frontiers of knowledge and knowledge based wealth.

The IYSC will provide a forum for young professionals in agriculture, science, technology and innovation to discuss and share the expertise and experiences on how to tap and utilize science, technology and innovation for India’s development. The programme will comprise of special lecture by eminent scientists, technical sessions on identified themes, and special forums for young scientists, poster sessions and exhibitions .

The congress will discuss and deliberate on following thematic areas with reference to application of science, technology and policy interventions

• Recent Advances in Life Sciences (Agriculture, Biotechnology etc)
• Recent Advances in Frontier Technologies (Space, Communication, Bioinformatics, Physical andChemical Technology, Energy, Nanotechnology etc)
• Climate Change and Mitigating Its ImpactConservation and Enhancement of Natural Resource (Biodiversity, Traditional Knowledge Systems, Water Quality etc)
• Ensuring Health Security (Medical Biotechnology, Pharmacology etc)
• Inculcating Scientific Temper at the Early Career Stages (Linking Science and Society)
• Enlarging the Opportunities for Self-employment

Participation is invited from young research scholars and students (B.Tech / M.Sc. / M.Tech / M.Phil/ Ph.D / Post Doc) to present their work relevant to the themes mentioned above. Students and scholars who are not presenting their work are also encouraged to register as observers without submitting any abstract, and participate in all the events of IYSC 2009.

Interested participants are requested to send the following on or before 15th May 2009, to the Organising secretary, IYSC 2009.

1. One page abstract (not applicable for observers)
2. Filled in registration form
3. Registration fee as demand draft (DD) drawn in favour of M.S. Swaminathan Research Fountation, payable at Chennai
4. Bonafide certificate form research supervisors for scholars and from Head of the Department or other competent authorities for students

Participants should also send their abstract by e-mail to ysc2009@mssrf.res.in. The abstracts will be reviewed and selected for presentation at IYSC 2009. Among the selected abstracts, some will be chosen for oral presentation and all others will have to be presented as posters. The selection of the abstract for oral or poster and the guidelines for preparation of the poster and oral presentation will be communicated by e-mail by 20th May 2009, and also published in the websites (www.mssrf.org, www.srmuniv.ac.in, www.rgniyd.gov.in). The participants whose abstract was not selected or presentation at IYSC 2009 can participate as observer.

Registration Fee

• Delegates: Rs. 1000
• Research Scholars: Rs. 600
• Students: Rs. 400

Participants are requested to arrange for their travel expenditure from their own resources. However, need based travel support will be provided to few participants on specific request and based on availability of resources. Accommodation for the participants will be provided for free in guesthouses and students hostels. Accommodation in Hotels will be arranged on payment basis.

Download

• IYSC Brochure
• Registration Form

Applications Invited for Fellowships by The New India Foundation

Applications Invited for Fellowships by The New India Foundation

In the sixty years since Independence, there has been a large body of work produced by Indian historians and social scientists. Taken singly, many of these studies are very impressive; viewed cumulatively, they add up to much less than what one might expect. The chief reason for this is the determining influence on scholarly practice of that single date: 15th August, 1947. Historians don't look beyond the attainment of Independence, whereas other social scientists don't look back at all. We have solid studies of the Congress under British rule, with books written about its operations' in different parts of India, yet there are no systematic studies of this most influential of political parties in the post-independence period. Again, there are numerous ethnographic accounts of the caste system. Yet, we have no analytical overview of caste since Independence.

We have had political scientists conducting field studies of every single election since 1952. But we have no comprehensive analyses of changes over time in voter behaviour, election propaganda, or election finance.

These examples could be multiplied manifold. The Republic of India is a Union of twenty-eight states, some larger than France and Germany. Yet not even the biggest or most important of these states have had their histories written. Again, there are no serious biographies of some Invited for of the key figures in our modem history: such as Sheikh Abdullah or C. N. Annadurai or A Z. Phizo or (to take figures from very different fields) Pandit Ravi Shankar or Dhirubhai Ambani.

It is this lack that the New India Foundation seeks to address, by sponsoring work of quality on modem India.

The New India Foundation invites applications for the fifth round of the New India Fellowships. Open only to Indian nationals, these Fellowships will be awarded for a period of one year, and will carry a stipend of Rs 70,000 a month. Fellowship holders shall be expected to write original books. Proposals should be oriented towards final publication, and outline a road map towards that destination. The Foundation is ecumenical as regards genre, theme, and ideology: the only requirement is that the proposed work contributes to the fuller understanding of independent India. Thus Fellowship holders may choose to write a memoir, or a work of reportage, or a thickly footnoted academic study. Their books could be oriented towards economics, or politics, or culture. They could be highly specific-an account of a single decade or a single region--or wide-ranging, such as a countrywide overview.

Since 2004, a total of twenty New India Foundation Fellowships have been awarded, for books to be written on such topics as the social history of Telugu films, the reform of personal laws, refugee politics in north-eastern India, the history of the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, debates on the death penalty in India, and the science and politics of biodiversity conservation.

The first books to emanate from the New India Fellowships are Harish Damodaran's India's New Capitalists (Pal grave Macmillan), Vasanthi Srinivasan's Gandhi's Conscience-Keeper (Permanent Black), and Dinesh Shanna's India's Long Revolution (HarperCollins India).

How to Apply

Applicants for the New India Fellowships for 2009 are invited to submit their

• CV with contact details (email ID mandatory)
• Book proposal
• A writing sample of at least 5000 words (published or unpublished)

Send these to:

The Managing Trustee

The New India Foundation

22 A Brunton Road, Bangalore 560025

These may be sent before 31 July 2009 by post or courier. Email applications will not be entertained. However, specific queries may be addressed to ramguha[at]gmail.com

The fellowships will be decided by a jury whose members are Andre Beteille, Ramachandra Guha, Niraja GopalJayal, Nandan Nilekani, and N. Ravi. Further details about the Foundation may be found at http://www.newindiafoundation.org/

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.

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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.

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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.

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From the Knowledge-Based Economy To a Wisdom-Based Society

Presentation of

Prof. Bob Jessop

Director, Institute of Advanced Studies, Lancaster University, England

on

From the Knowledge-Based Economy To A Wisdom-Based Society

Delivered on 30 March 2009 at SLS Auditorium, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi.

This presentation covers Knowledge-based Economy (KBE), Wisdom-based Society, National Innovation Systems, Emerging Knowledge Economies and Indian National Knowledge Commission.

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Workshop for Research Scholars 2009, CSSS Calcutta, 4-10 November

Centre for Studies in Social Sciences, Calcutta
Workshop for Research Scholars 2009
4-10 November 2009
(Beginning Doctoral, Doctoral and Post-doctoral Scholars)
Social Sciences Workshop 3
Theme: Violation and Violence

Description
What constitutes violation? How is it linked to violence? Violations of rights, freedoms, and human dignity are hardly random occurrences in our times. They are perpetrated by both private parties and public authorities. Resistance to such acts may also entail violation of 'unjust' laws, policies or practices in the shape of, say, civil disobedience or armed resistance. Violence — political, economic, cultural or domestic — is at times violation's ally; at others it may take on the form of counter-hegemonic protest or anti-hierarchical anarchic dissent. Arguably, 'violation' and 'violence' are contradictory resources having both hegemonic and radical potentials. To address the conceptual and methodological riddles that surround these ideas we need an 'interdisciplinary' prism, that is to say, a combination of historical, political, economic, cultural and sociological optics. This is particularly true in today's context. Live as we do in times when the experience of 'terror', both in terms of real events and their media-representations, is getting increasingly integrated to our everyday, the 'violation-violence' nexus demands being examined from perspectives that are not bound exclusively by strict disciplinary protocols. The Workshop will deal with these and similar issues. It is part of a project on 'Training in New Social Science Research Methods' being run by the Centre for Studies in Social Sciences, Calcutta (CSSSC).

Eligibility
General Criterion: Candidates with postgraduate degree in any of the social science disciplines (e.g., Economics, History, Sociology, Political Science" Cultural Studies [Literature, Film Studies, Philosophy etc.], Development Studies, Environmental Science, Geography, Social Anthropology, Education)
For Beginning Doctoral Scholars: Candidates who have either just begun or intend to pursue doctoral research.
For Doctoral and Post-doctoral Scholars: (i) Candidates who are either about to complete or have recently completed their doctoral research; (ii) preferably within 35 years of age.

Format

• The Workshop will have two parts.
• Part One: 'Plenary Session'. The selected candidates will be divided into groups of 3. Each group will be assigned a set of Reading Material upon which the group will have to make a presentation.
• Part Two: 'Participants' Presentations'. A Beginning Doctoral Scholar will be required to present a twenty-minute 'Proposal for Research' and Doctoral and Postdoctoral Scholars will be required to present a forty-minute Paper. Resource Persons will interact with participants in both the sessions.
• Spread over 6 working days the workshop will be held from 4 November to 10 November 2009 at the CSSSC's Baishnabghata-Patuli campus in Kolkata. The Workshop does not have any fees. Local hospitality and travel expenses of outstation participants will be covered by CSSSC with partial funding from Navajbai Ratan Tata Trust (NRTT).

Deadline for receiving applications: 15 May 2009

Application: The Beginning Doctoral applicants are required to send a 500-word description of their proposed research and the Doctoral and postdoctoral applicants are required to send a 1000-word description of their papers along with curriculum vitae. Selected applicants will have to submit their final papers by 31 August 2009.

Please send your applications to the following address:
Ranjana Dasgupta
Research-Officer, CSSSC-NRTT Programme
Centre for Studies in Social Sciences, Calcutta
R-1, Baishnabghata-Patuli Township
Kolkata 700 094
e-mail: programs[at]cssscal.org

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CSSS Kolkata offers Short-Term Residential Post-Doctoral Fellowships 2009

Centre for Studies in Social Sciences, Calcutta
Short-Term Residential Post-Doctoral Fellowships 2009
Theme: Violation and Violence

Description
What constitutes violation? How is it linked to violence? Violations of rights, freedoms, and human dignity are hardly random occurrences in our times. They are perpetrated by both private parties and public authorities. Resistance to such acts may also entail violation of 'unjust' laws, policies or practices in the shape of, say, civil disobedience or armed resistance. Violence — political, economic, cultural or domestic — is at times violation's ally; at others it may take on the form of counter-hegemonic protest or anti-hierarchical anarchic dissent. Arguably, 'violation' and 'violence' are contradictory resources having both hegemonic and radical potentials. To address the conceptual and methodological riddles that surround these ideas we need an 'interdisciplinary' prism, that is to say, a combination of historical, political, economic, cultural and sociological optics. This is particularly true in today's context. Live as we do in times when the experience of 'terror', both in terms of real events and their media-representations, is getting increasingly integrated to our everyday, the 'violation-violence' nexus demands being examined from perspectives that are not bound exclusively by strict disciplinary protocols.

Eligibility
i) Ph.D. in any of the social science disciplines (e.g., Economics, History, Sociology, Political Science, Cultural Studies [Literature, Film Studies, Philosophy, etc.], Development studies, Environmental Science, Geography, Social Anthropology, Education) [Those who have submitted their Ph.D. theses are also eligible to apply.]
ii) Undergraduate college teachers would be given preference
iii) Preferably within 35 years of age

Selection Procedure
i) Each applicant is required to send a research proposal of approximately 2000 words addressing the fellowship's theme.
ii) Each short-listed candidate will be required to give a 30-minute talk on her / his research-proposal in the presence of Examiners and faculty members of csssc.(The expenses for travel will be borne by CSSSC)

Fellowship Profile
The Short-term Residential Post-doctoral Fellowship Programme is apart of the Project 'Training in New Social Science Research Methods' being run by the Centre for Studies in Social Sciences, Calcutta (CSSSC).The Project is partly funded by Navajbai Ratan Tata Trust (NRTT).

Fellowship Conditions
CSSSC is offering three One-year Residential Post-doctoral Fellowships under its 'Training in New Social Science Research Methods' Project for the year 2009-10. The Resident Post-doctoral Fellow will have to
(i) re-locate her/himself to Kolkata within a month of appointment and be present full-time at the Baishnabghata-Patuli campus of CSSSC for research-work;
(ii) participate in all academic activities of CSSSC;
(iii) present a paper in November 2009 on the research done by her/him at the Annual CSSSC-NRTT Workshop on 'Violation and Violence'.

Fellowship Amount
Rs. 27,000 (consolidated)per month for twelve consecutive months

Deadline for receiving applications: 30 April 2009

Please send your application consisting of research-proposal and curriculum vitae to the following address:
Ranjana Dasgupta
Research-Officer, CSSSC-NRTT Programme
Centre for Studies in Social Sciences, Calcutta
R-1, Baishnabghata-Patuli Township
Kolkata 700 094
e-mail: programs[at]cssscal.org

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OECD and ADB Working Papers on China's Innovation System

1) Foreign Direct Investment, Innovation, and Exports: Firm-Level Evidence from People's Republic of China, Thailand, and Philippines. by Ganeshan Wignaraja. ADB Economics Working Paper Series No. 134, November 2008.

Abstract
This paper examines the links between ownership, innovation, and exports in electronics firms in three late-industrializing developing countries (People’s Republic of China, Thailand, and Philippines), drawing on recent developments in applied international trade and innovation and learning. Technology-based approaches to trade offer a plausible explanation for firm-level exporting behavior. The econometric results (using probit) confirm the importance of foreign ownership and innovation in increasing the probability of exporting in electronics. Higher levels of skills, managers’ education, and capital also matter in the People’s Republic of China as well as accumulated experience in Thailand. Furthermore, a technology index composed of technical functions performed by firms emerges as a more robust indicator of innovation than the research and development to sales ratio. Accordingly, technological effort in electronics in these countries mostly focuses on assimilating and using imported technologies rather than formal research and development by specialized engineers.

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2) Measuring China’s Innovation System: National Specificities and International Comparisons. by Martin Schaaper. Paris: OECD STI Working Paper 2009/1; Statistical Analysis of Science, Technology and Industry.

Abstract
This working paper discusses actors and resources in China's science and innovation system, science and technology performance, and general purpose technologies. It provided input to the recently published OECD Review of China's Innovation Policy. The annex to this paper assesses international comparability of China's S&T indicators.

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Call for Research Proposals: "Growth, Employment, Poverty Nexus in the Current Financial Crisis"

Call for Research Proposals

Theme:"Growth, Employment, Poverty Nexus in the Current Financial Crisis"

BE A PART OF A DYNAMIC TEAM OF SOUTH ASIAN RESEARCHERS NETWORK

South Asia Network of Economic Research Institutes (SANEI) is a regional initiative to foster networking amongst economic research institutions in South Asia. The aim of the Network is to establish strong research interlinkages among diverse economic research institutes in the South Asian region. SANEI has funded around 115 research projects on diverse themes of economic development in South Asia and total number of researchers involved in SANEI sponsored projects has crossed 236.

Grant:

Single Country Studies US $10,000 each

Double Countries Studies US $20,000 each*

Triple Countries Studies US $30,000 each*

*Carried out with researchers in countries in South Asia

Please review the following documents available at http://www.saneinetwork.net/research/proposals.asp for further detail

1) 11th Call for Proposals

2) Terms of Reference - Growth, Employment, Poverty Nexus in the Current Financial Crisis

Last date of Submission: March 31, 2009

All proposals must be submitted before the end of closing date, both by e-mail and by post at the following address:

Dr Rashid Amjad

Coordinator, SANEI & Vice Chancellor

Pakistan Institute of Development Economics

P O Box 1091, Islamabad

Pakistan

Tel: +92-51-9217879

Fax: +92-51-9206407

Email: pidesaneipk@saneinetwork.net

Training Workshop on "Trade Modeling Using GTAP and Other Econometric Softwares"

Training Workshop on "Trade Modeling Using GTAP and Other Econometric Softwares"

16 to 30 April, 2009

Venue: University of Allahabad, India

Organizers: UNCTAD-MOIC-DFID Project on "Strategies and Preparedness for Trade and Globalization in India" and Department of Economics, University of Allahabad

For Whom
University and College teachers along with bonafide research scholars specializing and working on International trade issues and econometrics should apply with complete bio-data to Dr. P.N. Mehrotra, Coordinator by April 02, 2009, Email: pnmehrotra[at]rediffmail.com.

The selected participants will be paid TA and DA including lodging facilities in accordance with the rules of University of Allahabad.

More Details here

OECD Reviews of Innovation Policy: China

OECD Reviews of Innovation Policy: China. Paris: OECD, 2008.

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China has achieved a spectacularly high rate of economic growth over a sustained period for more than two decades. Nevertheless, today China faces the challenge of making the transition from sustained to sustainable growth from social, economical, ecological and envionmental points of view. Innovation has been identified as a main engine for this new growth model, and the Chinese government has launched a national strategy to build an innovation-driven economy and society by 2020. Will China be able to succeed in making this challenging transition? What will it require in terms of policy and institutional changes? How will China's emergence as a future innovation economy affect the OECD countries, as well as the global systems for knowledge production, dissemenation and use?

This publication sheds light on these issues by assessing the current status of China’s national innovation system and policies, and by recommending the most important improvements required in both the policy and institutional environments for China to succeed in promoting innovation through a market-based approach.

This book is part of a series of OECD Reviews of Innovation Policy.

Key findings in this volume include:

• At USD 73.5 billion in purchasing power parity (PPPs), China’s GERD was the third largest worldwide in 2006, after the United States and Japan.
• The R&D intensity – the ratio of GERD to gross domestic product (GDP) – of China’s economy has increased spectacularly. It reached 1.43% of GDP in 2006, up from 0.6% in 1995.
• However, China’s spending on R&D remains heavily focused on experimental development; only 5.2% of all R&D in 2006 was aimed at basic research, compared to 10-20% in OECD countries.
• Although rising rapidly, only 11% of patents by Chinese firms in 2006 were considered inventive (invention patents), compared with 74% of patents by foreign firms patenting in China.
• Foreign-owned companies (including joint ventures and wholly owned), including those controlled from Hong Kong and Macao, China, and Chinese Taipei, account for an ever-growing share of total high-technology exports, which have increased from 73% in 1998 to 88% in 2005. These trends continued in 2006.
• Chinese high-technology industries continue to have much lower R&D intensity than their counterparts in most advanced OECD countries.
• In 2006, high R&D intensity remained heavily concentrated in some regions, notably Beijing, Shanghai, Shaanxi, and Sichuan.

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Executive Summary
• Part I. Synthesis Report
• Part II. Thematic Chapters
• The Chinese Innovation System: Main Features and Performance
• Chapter 1. Institutional Set-Up, Performance, Objectives and Key Challenges
• Chapter 2. Innovation and R&D in China's Business Sector
• Chapter 3. China's Public Research Institutes
• Chapter 4. Industry and Science Relations
• Chapter 5. China and the Globalisation of Research and Development
• Chapter 6. Human Resources for Science, Technology and Innovation in China
• Chapter 7. Regional Innovation Systems in China: Insights from Shanghai, Sichuan and Liaoning
• The Role of Policy and Governance in Innovation
• Chapter 8. The Evolution of China's Science and Technology Policy 1975-2007
• Chapter 9. Framework Conditions for Innovation
• Chapter 10. Governance and the Role of Government in the Chinese National Innovation System
• Chapter 11. Chinese Research and Development Programmes for Science and Technology

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OECD Science, Technology and Industry Outlook 2008

OECD Science, Technology and Industry Outlook 2008. Paris: OECD, 2008.

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Global patterns of science, technology and innovation are quickly changing. What are the implications for science and innovation policy? What steps are countries taking to boost their capabilities in science, technology and innovation? What is the contribution of science and innovation to growth and social goals?

The OECD Science, Technology and Industry Outlook 2008 reviews key trends in science, technology and innovation in OECD countries and a number of major non-member economies including Brazil, Chile, China, Israel, Russia and South Africa.

Using the latest available data and indicators, the book examines topics high on the agenda of science and innovation policy makers, including science and innovation performance; trends in national science, technology and innovation policies; and practices to assess the socio-economic impacts of public research.

New to this edition are individual profiles of the science and innovation performance of each country in relation to its national context and current policy challenges. The graphs enable countries to see some of their relative strengths and weaknesses as compared to other countries' performance.

Table of Contents

• Executive Summary
• Chapter 1. Global Dynamics in Science, Technology and Innovation
• Chapter 2. Main Trends in Science, Technology and Innovation Policy
• Chapter 3. Science and Innovation: Country Notes
• Chapter 4. Assessing the Socio-Economic Impacts of Public R&D: Recent Practices and Perspectives
• Chapter 5. Innovation in Firms: Findings from a Comparative Analysis of Innovation Survey Microdata

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Open Innovation in Global Networks

Open Innovation in Global Networks. Paris: OECD, 2008.

As global competition intensifies and innovation becomes riskier and more costly, the business sector has been internationalising knowledge-intensive corporate functions, including R&D. At the same time, companies are increasingly opening their innovation processes and collaborating on innovation with external partners (suppliers, customers, universities, etc.).

What drives these global innovation networks across different industries? How are they related to companies' overall strategies? Are they accessible for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)?

Such global networks clearly have important implications for policy making, given the important role of innovation in OECD countries’ economic growth.

This publication presents the findings of a recent OECD project on globalisation and open innovation, expanding upon work carried out by the OECD following a March 2005 OECD forum on the internationalisation of R&D. It also builds on information in a chapter of the OECD Science, Technology and Industry Outlook 2006 on the internationalisation of R&D, as well as a volume entitled The Internationalisation of Business R&D: Evidence, Impacts and Implications, published by the OECD in June 2008. Presentations and discussions at a symposium on open innovation in global networks (Copenhagen, February 2008) were another source of important input to this publication. The report also draws heavily on a large number of company case studies in various countries that were undertaken by national experts.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1. Open Innovation in Global Networks

The concept of open innovation Applications of open innovation: user innovation, lead markets and open source Open innovation in the innovation literature Drivers of open innovation: demand and supply factors Global networks and innovation ecosystems Open innovation across industries Modes of open innovation The advantages and disadvantages of global innovation networks Global innovation networks and intellectual property

Chapter 2. Empirical Measures of Open Innovation

Case studies and surveys Trends in R&D collaboration Innovation surveys: the role of networks and collaboration Patents: co-inventions and co-applications Trends in licensing Some tentative conclusions

Chapter 3. Insights from the Company Case Studies

General overview Quantitative findings on the globalisation of innovation Qualitative findings: open innovation on a global scale Towards an integrated model of open innovation

Chapter 4. Policy ImplicationsPolicy issues related to globalisation and open innovation Policy responses Towards a different innovation policy?

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Unleashing India’s Innovation: Toward Sustainable and Inclusive Growth

Unleashing India’s Innovation: Toward Sustainable and Inclusive Growth/ edited by Mark A. Dutz. Washington, DC: The World Bank, 2007.

Report Summary

India’s becoming a top global innovator for high-tech products and services. Yet, the country is underperforming relative to its innovation potential. To sustain competitiveness, economic growth, and rising living standards over the long term, India needs to aggressively harness its innovation potential.

India is increasingly becoming a top global innovator for high-tech products and services. Still, the country is underperforming relative to its innovation potential —with direct implications for long-term industrial competitiveness and economic growth. This book focuses on inclusive innovation — knowledge creation and absorption efforts most relevant to the needs of the poor in India. This is in addition to the book’s emphasis on how faster growth can be facilitated by promoting “new to the world” knowledge creation and commercialization—the traditional understanding of the term innovation—as well as through often underappreciated but even higher-impact “new to the market” diffusion and absorption of existing knowledge.

Facts:

• Domestic R&D spending has never exceeded 1% of GDP.
• India's stock of scientists and engineers engaged in R&D is among the largest in the world.
• Only 16% of Indian manufacturing firms provide in-service training; firms that provide in-service training are up to 28% more productive.
• The sectors most open to competition have increased R&D spending the most.
• The informal sector accounts for roughly 90% of the workforce.
• Only 10-25% of general college graduates are suitable for employment.

Table of Contents

• Chapter 1: The Indian Context and Enabling Environment
• Chapter 2: Creating and Commercializing Knowledge
• Chapter 3: Diffusing and Absorbing Knowledge
• Chapter 4: Promoting Inclusive Innovation
• Chapter 5: Strengthening Skills and Education for Innovation
• Chapter 6: Upgrading Information Infrastructure
• Chapter 7: Enhancing Innovation Finance

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Measuring the Information Society: The ICT Development Index 2009

Just Published

Measuring the Information Society: The ICT Development Index 2009. Geneva: International Telecommunication Union, 2009.

Abstract

The latest edition of Measuring the Information Society features the new ITU ICT Development Index. The Index captures the level of advancement of ICTs in more than 150 countries worldwide and compares progress made between 2002 and 2007. It also measures the global digital divide and examines how it has developed in recent years. The report also features a new ICT Price Basket, which combines fixed, mobile and broadband tariffs for 2008 into one measure and compares it across countries. The analytical report is complemented by a series of statistical tables providing country-level data for all indicators included in the Index.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 – Introduction

Chapter 2 – ICT Market Overview

Chapter 3 – The ITU ICT Development Index (IDI): background and methodology

Chapter 4 – The ITU ICT Development Index (IDI): presentation and discussion of results

Chapter 5 – Measuring the Digital Divide

Chapter 6 – ICT Price Basket

Chapter 7 – Conclusions

Annex 1: ICT Development Index (IDI) methodology

Annex 2: ICT Price Basket methodology

Annex 3: List of economies included in the IDI and the ICT Price Basket by region

Annex 4: Statistical tables of indicators used to compute the IDI

Annex 5: Statistical tables of tariffs used to compute the ICT Price Basket

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The Handbook of Science and Technology Studies

The Handbook of Science and Technology Studies. Third Edition. Edited by Edward J. Hackett, Olga Amsterdamska, Michael Lynch and Judy Wajcman. Published in cooperation with the Society for Social Studies of Science. Massachusetts: The MIT Press, 2008.
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Just Published:: India's National Innovation System: Key Elements and Corporate Perspectives

India's National Innovation System: Key Elements and Corporate Perspectives

by Cornelius Herstatt, Rajnish Tiwari, Dieter Ernst, and Stephan Buse

East-West Center Working Papers, Economics Series, No. 96

Publisher: Honolulu: East-West Center

Publication Date: August 2008

Free Download: PDF

Abstract

In January 2007, a joint research project on "India's Innovation System: Exploring the Strengths" was launched by the Institute of Technology and Management at Hamburg University of Technology in cooperation with the East-West Center. The elements and inherent strengths and weaknesses of India's innovation system were examined, particularly in knowledge-intensive sectors. Representatives of private firms as well as Governmental / institutional bodies (85 in total) were interviewed.

India is in the process of emerging as a major R&D hub for both large and medium-sized multinational companies in various industries. This development is mainly owing to the availability of skilled labor produced in world-class elite institutions. Cost advantages, e.g. in the form of low wages are still present but receding due to substantial wage hikes often ranging between 15 and 25% per annum. The striking finding is, however, about market-driven factors. Of late, India's market potential, in the meantime ranked as 3rd largest worldwide by the Global Competitiveness Report 2007-08, has emerged as a crucial driver. Rising income levels of India's billion-plus population are creating unique market opportunities for firms, both domestic and foreign.

In India, the Government has historically played a major and in most cases a singularly positive role in the formation of its innovation system. Despite explosive population growth, the literacy rate in India grew from 18.3% in 1950-51 to 64.8% in 2001 thanks to concerted Government efforts; female literacy rose from a mere 8.9% to 53.7% in the same period. Moreover, the quality of education in India is generally ranked as very good. According to the Global Competitiveness Report 2007-08, the quality of mathematics and science education in India is ranked as 11th best in the world, much ahead of 29th placed Japan, 36th placed Germany, 45th placed United States and 46th placed United Kingdom.

Nevertheless, India is faced with major challenges related to infrastructure and bureaucratic hurdles. The quality of education, notwithstanding such excellent rankings as stated above, in many institutions does not reach the standards required for (cutting-edge) R&D efforts. Moreover, a booming economy is leading to a shortage of qualified and experienced skilled labor--which result in inflationary wage growth and high attrition rates, which generally lay in a double-digit range.With the Government maintaining a pro-active role many of these problems may, however, be expected to get resolved to a manageable extent. In its Eleventh Five Year Plan (2007-12) the Government has announced massive investments in infrastructure and education sectors to enhance both the quantity and the quality.

Industrial firms in India have recognized their chances and are investing heavily in R&D capacities. India is also a beneficiary of global mobility and exchange of talents, technology, and resources as much of the world, especially the developed Western countries, have profited from India's export of brain power.

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NCSTC Rajat Jayanti Science Communicator Fellowship 2009

Rajat Jayanti Vigyan Sancharak Fellowship

Proposals are invited for twenty Rajat Jayanti Vigyan Sancharak Fellowships instituted by Rashtriya Vigyan Evam Pradyogiki Sanchar Parishad, Department of Science & Technology. The Fellowship recognizes Science Communicators with uniformly brilliant academic record and field work. It also supports innovative Science Communication efforts in selected scientific institutions/universities/S&T based voluntary organizations under the guidance of a senior science communicator.

The candidates below 35 years on 31.12.2009 (relaxable by 5 years for Women) must possess a graduation or higher degree in science, engineering, medical science, agriculture, information technology, mass communication etc. from a recognized university.

The duration of the fellowship will be for one year and will comprise honorarium of Rs. 12000/- per month (16000/- in case of a Ph.D) and an annual contingency of Rs. 30000/- and travel grant of Rs. 15000/-. Mentors will receive Rs. 20000/- in a year. Applicants are requested to carefully study Annexure I-V before submitting the proposal.

The selection will be made by a committee of experts and decision of DST will be final.

Send Your Proposal and supporting documents to:

Head (RVPSP), Department of Science & Technology

Technology Bhavan, New Mehrauli Road, New Delhi – 110016

Email sanuj[at]nic.in, ahujas[at]nic.in

Phone: 011-26866675

Last date for receiving completed applications is 15th April 2009.

Illustrative list of projects ideas

• Impact assessment of science outreach programmes developing and using innovative instruments.
• Developing and testing scripts for biodiversity, street theater for raising awareness on health, sanitation, water, etc.
• Developing modules for trainers in use of low-cost learning/teaching aids for high school science teachers.
• Developing strategies for promoting innovation among school teachers/students.
• Comparative study on effectiveness of different means of communication
• Developing and updating website on popular science.

For More Details and Application Form visit:

http://www.dst.gov.in/whats_new/what_new09/rajat-jayanit-09.pdf

Science Writing Fellowships at Current Science

S. Ramaseshan Science Writing Fellowships at Current Science
The Current Science Association has instituted Science Writing Fellowships in memory of Professor Sivaraj Ramaseshan for his contributions to the journal Current Science. The fellowships are initially awarded for a period of one year, extendable for a further period of one year.
Qualification: Candidates must possess a basic degree in any branch of science. Candidates with postgraduate (after B.Sc.) degree in literature, journalism or mass communication can also apply for the fellowship.
Desirable: A flair for writing and wide interest in diverse areas of science. Age: Not more than 50 years as on 1 April 2008. The candidates should not have any position (full time or part time) that entitles to any remuneration.
Job description: Selected candidates will be expected to write for the News, Research News, and General sections of the journal Current Science on a regular basis. Candidates may be based in any part of India but must have access to science libraries, journals and the Internet. Candidates based in Bangalore are expected to assist the editorial staff in the publication of Current Science.
Fellowship: Selected candidates would be offered a fellowship in the range Rs 8000 to Rs 12,000 depending on qualification and experience. Applications, which must include a detailed CV and reprints of popular science publications, must be sent to
Executive Secretary,
Current Science Association
P.B. No. 8001
Sadashivnagar P.O.
Bangalore 560 080

Applications can be submitted, however, these will be considered in April 2009.
Source: http://www.ias.ac.in/currsci/rswf.pdf

Fourth Summer School on Philosophy for the Social Sciences and Humanities

(Sponsored by ICSSR Western Regional Centre, Mumbai)

Organized by: Centre for Philosophy, National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bangalore

A three-week summer school for MA, MPhil and PhD students from all over the country will be held at the National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bangalore.

Dates: Monday, June 8, 2009 -Friday, June 26, 2009.

Who can apply: MA, MPhil and early PhD students working in the broad areas of social sciences and humanities (including philosophy).

How to apply: Send a CV (with marks, email, phone and contact address details) along with an essay/working paper that you have written. The last date for receiving
the complete application is March 15, 2009.

Accommodation and travel
Selected students will be reimbursed for their outstation travel by Non- AC, sleeper class train or bus fare (to and fro) and will also be provided accommodation free of
cost at NIAS during the course period.

Contact: Send your application as an email attachment to Centre for Philosophy, NIAS, email: cfpnias@gmail.com or mail a hard copy to the address below:
Centre for Philosophy
National Institute of Advanced Studies
Indian Institute of Science Campus
Bangalore -560 012
Telephone: +91-80-22185000

More information

Applications Invited: Summer Workshop on Quantitative Methods in Political Science

Lokniti - Programme for Comparative Democracy, Centre for the Study of Developing Societies (CSDS), Delhi, in collaboration with Indian Institute of Advanced Study (IIAS), Shimla invites candidates to apply for a two week Summer Workshop on Research Methodology: Analyzing Quantitative Data on Indian Politics to be held at Shimla from Monday, 15th June 2009 to Saturday, 27th June 2009.
Research training in Political Science remains one of the weakest aspects of learning for any student in India. Keeping this in view we plan to bring together a group of young political scientists with the aim of providing them an opportunity to improve their skills in quantitative analysis. While some of our mid-career colleagues would be invited to attend the summer school, we will select candidates from across the country for the limited seats that are available through a process of competitive selection. In this Summer School there will be a special emphasis on making sense of quantitative data of both aggregate nature and survey data for analysis of Indian politics. The selected participants will be given a set of readings before they come to attend the workshop and will be expected to attend lectures and practical data analysis sessions. This is the Third Summer School being organized by CSDS and IIAS beginning in 2007. Some of the leading scholars working on empirical methods in Political Science have been involved in designing this summer school and will act as resource persons. These include Pradeep Chhibber (University of California at Berkeley), Peter deSouza (IIAS, Shimla), Irfan Nooruddin (Ohio State University), Yogendra Yadav (CSDS), Suhas Palshikar (University of Pune) and Sandeep Shastri (IACT).

• We invite the following categories of candidates to apply for this workshop:
• Teachers of Political Science in colleges and Universities who are working on empirical subjects and would benefit from further training.
• Research students of Political Science who are working on empirical themes for their M. Phil. or Ph. D. dissertations and can benefit from further training.
• Any other person (including those from outside Political Science and outside academia) who are interested in making sense of politics by analyzing quantitative data.

We would give preference to young scholars. We have only about 16 seats to be filled through selection and we expect a tough competition. Please send your detailed CV with a statement of research interest (those already registered for M. Phil. or Ph.D. should clearly mention the topic of dissertation along with a brief summary of the objectives and methodologies used) in about 500 words. Applicants should also visit our website http://www.lokniti.org/index.htm; access the questionnaire used for National Election Study 2004 and write a 500 word Note on a research question based on this questionnaire that interests them. Selection for the workshop will be made on the basis of the two write-ups submitted by candidates as mentioned above. The last date for receiving the nomination/application is 23rd March 2009. We will not entertain any nominations/applications received after the above-mentioned date.

The Summer School is sponsored by the IIAS and the Institute will meet the travel expenses (Train AC II or its equivalent) of the participant from his/her place of residence to Shimla both to and fro. IIAS will also provide free accommodation and food during the Summer School. Please note that this is a full time residential training course and candidates admitted to the workshop are expected to stay at the Institute and engage in full time work on all days during this period. Please send your nominations/applications by email to banasmita[at]gmail.com or by snail mail to:
The Co-director
Lokniti: Programme for Comparative Democracy
Centre for the Study of Developing Societies (CSDS)
29 Rajpur Road, Delhi 110 054. India

Source: http://www.lokniti.org/summer_workshop_at_shimla2009.html

CSSP Seminar “Emerging Knowledge Economy India: A European View of the Indian NKC”

Centre for Studies in Science Policy
SEMINAR SERIES

"Emerging Knowledge Economy India:
A European View of the Indian National Knowledge Commission"

By
Dr. Waltraut Ritter
Research Director, Knowledge Enterprises, Hong Kong; &
Adjunct Faculty, International School of Information Management at the University of Mysore

Venue: Room no. 227, SSS (I), JNU
Time: 4.00 P.M.
Date: 5th February 2009

Abstract
The lecture will discuss the functions and goals of the NKC and discuss the role of NKC in advancing India’s position as knowledge economy, which is, according to the World Bank Knowledge Economy index, quite low in the overall ranking, however, leading among South East Asian countries. She will also discuss NKC from a European Perspective based on the OECD KBE framework.

National Knowledge Commission Launches Online Contest

NKC's recommendations have been crafted to achieve the objective of tapping into India's enormous reservoir of knowledge, mobilising national talent and creating an empowered generation with access to tremendous possibilities for the 550 million youth.
To accelerate the process of reform and to create a groundswell of public opinion, NKC invites everyone to Online Contests.

Contest Period: 1 February – 1 March 2009

Categories: Film, Debate and Essay
Film Topic: Make a short film (not exceeding 6 mins)
1) How can I make a difference in transforming India
Debate Topics: Give your opinions in video format (not exceeding 4 mins each)
1) India will realise its demographic dividend in the next 15 years
2) Vocational education and training courses should be introduced in all schools
Essay Topics: Write your views (not exceeding 2000 words each)
1) How can India unleash its innovation and entrepreneurship potential?
2) Expansion, excellence and inclusion – the three challenges of the Indian education system

Important Dates
Contest Begins: Feb 1, 2009
Contest Closes: March 1, 2009
Results Declaration: March 10, 2009

Prizes
Winners get to meet Mr. Sam Pitroda
Cash Prizes of more than INR 1.5 lakhs
Certificates to first 500 entries
Log on to http://knowledgeportal.in/contests to participate