manas
January 4th, 2003, 08:58 AM
Come back, fare well: Vajpayee to scientists
TIMES NEWS NETWORK[ SATURDAY, JANUARY 04, 2003 01:01:24 AM ]
BANGALORE: Urging the scientific diaspora to come back to the country, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on Friday promised steps to facilitate the return of scientists and technologists of Indian origin and the simplification of administrative and financial procedures to permit the efficient operation of research programmes.
Unveiling the Science and Technology Policy at the 90th Indian Science Congress, Vajpayee expressed concern over "internal brain drain" and bureaucratisation in scientific institutions. "We have to ensure that our scientific institutions do not become afflicted with the culture of our government agencies," he told an assembly of more than 5,000 scientists, including 100 from abroad.
"We need to examine why a career in science is not considered worthwhile by so many of our talented younger scientists," he said while expressing his anguish over the diversion of talent from R&D careers to non-scientific fields in both the government and the private sectors. Vajpayee said the government would ensure that all highly science-based ministries and government departments were run by scientists and technologists.
He also proposed to set up new funding mechanisms for basic research in science, medical and engineering institutions. The science and technology policy comes 20 years after the scientific policy resolution of 1958, which was updated last in 1983 with the adoption of the technology policy statement.
The 16-point strategy and implementation plan to meet policy objectives also includes science and technology governance, optimal utilisation of theexisting infrastructure and competence, a major initiative to modernise infrastructure for science and engineering in academic institutions, and promoting innovation.
The PM said the government would make the necessary budgetary commitments for higher education as well as science and technology and raise the investment level to at least two per cent of the GDP through its own resources and contribution by industry during the Tenth Plan period. The policy, which promises efforts to remove poverty and regional imbalances, also aims at giving a fillip to traditional systems of medicine and intensifying research in this field so as to contribute to fundamental advances in health care, leading to the commercialisation of effective products.
A purposeful programme to enhance India’s share in the global herbal product market would be initiated, Vajpayee said. The policy also aims at facilitating the mobility of scientists and technologists in industry, academic institutions and research laboratories to encourage quality and productivity in science and technology. A comprehensive and wellorchestrated programme relating to education, R&D and training in all aspects of technology management will be launched.
The IIMs, IITs and other select institutes would be encouraged to initiate these programmes, he said.
Science award
BANGALORE: The Prime Minister on Friday announced a Rs 25 lakh India Science Award. The selection committee for the award will comprise eminent scientists from India and abroad, Vajpayee said at the inaugural of the 90th Indian Science Congress here on Friday.
TIMES NEWS NETWORK[ SATURDAY, JANUARY 04, 2003 01:01:24 AM ]
BANGALORE: Urging the scientific diaspora to come back to the country, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on Friday promised steps to facilitate the return of scientists and technologists of Indian origin and the simplification of administrative and financial procedures to permit the efficient operation of research programmes.
Unveiling the Science and Technology Policy at the 90th Indian Science Congress, Vajpayee expressed concern over "internal brain drain" and bureaucratisation in scientific institutions. "We have to ensure that our scientific institutions do not become afflicted with the culture of our government agencies," he told an assembly of more than 5,000 scientists, including 100 from abroad.
"We need to examine why a career in science is not considered worthwhile by so many of our talented younger scientists," he said while expressing his anguish over the diversion of talent from R&D careers to non-scientific fields in both the government and the private sectors. Vajpayee said the government would ensure that all highly science-based ministries and government departments were run by scientists and technologists.
He also proposed to set up new funding mechanisms for basic research in science, medical and engineering institutions. The science and technology policy comes 20 years after the scientific policy resolution of 1958, which was updated last in 1983 with the adoption of the technology policy statement.
The 16-point strategy and implementation plan to meet policy objectives also includes science and technology governance, optimal utilisation of theexisting infrastructure and competence, a major initiative to modernise infrastructure for science and engineering in academic institutions, and promoting innovation.
The PM said the government would make the necessary budgetary commitments for higher education as well as science and technology and raise the investment level to at least two per cent of the GDP through its own resources and contribution by industry during the Tenth Plan period. The policy, which promises efforts to remove poverty and regional imbalances, also aims at giving a fillip to traditional systems of medicine and intensifying research in this field so as to contribute to fundamental advances in health care, leading to the commercialisation of effective products.
A purposeful programme to enhance India’s share in the global herbal product market would be initiated, Vajpayee said. The policy also aims at facilitating the mobility of scientists and technologists in industry, academic institutions and research laboratories to encourage quality and productivity in science and technology. A comprehensive and wellorchestrated programme relating to education, R&D and training in all aspects of technology management will be launched.
The IIMs, IITs and other select institutes would be encouraged to initiate these programmes, he said.
Science award
BANGALORE: The Prime Minister on Friday announced a Rs 25 lakh India Science Award. The selection committee for the award will comprise eminent scientists from India and abroad, Vajpayee said at the inaugural of the 90th Indian Science Congress here on Friday.