TECHNOLOGY FOR SOCIO-ECONOMIC PROGRESS

TECHNOLOGY FOR 

SOCIO-ECONOMIC PROGRESS

The project to establish an Institute for Centre-State Technology Partnership and Adaptation in Thiruvananthapuram, which was cleared by the Cabinet on Thursday, will focus on adaptation and deployment of technologies to suit the requirements of the State in key sectors of development.The institute, to be set up by the Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment (KSCSTE), seeks to promote the transfer of technologies relevant to the economic, social, and environment milieu in the State, according to the concept report submitted to the special working group under the Department of Finance.KSCSTE executive vice-president V.N. Rajasekharan Pillai said the Rs.14-crore project would have Central and State government institutions joining hands with corporate partners and venture capitalists to translate technologies into viable options for sustainable development. 

The primary mission of the institute would be to prepare a State-specific technology deployment feasibility report and a road map. This would be followed by the development of training facilities for technology managers. The KSCSTE had identified four sectors for technology adaptation — agriculture; forestry; fisheries and livestock; industries; building and energy; water, health and sanitation technologies; and natural resources management and environment.Prof. Pillai said the institute would deal with royalty issues, policy matters, and negotiations on technology transfer.“While it will not have research facilities of its own, KSCSTE will identify research centres and universities to take up research activities needed for adaptation of technologies to suit local requirements and development of deliverable products.” He added that the institute would support pipeline technologies and promote the generation of ideas.

The project proposal observes that the proposed facility will help address the considerable mismatch between available technologies and the requirements of the State. “In view of the limited natural resources, Kerala is dependent on improving science and technology and ensuring systematic application of innovations to address the current and emerging problems. Notwithstanding the large number of research and development institutions and the significant efforts to enhance the knowledge base, performance of key sectors is lagging,” it says.The report says the paradoxical situation of widespread unemployment among the educated youth and the non-availability of labour in key sectors also underlines the need for technological intervention to realise the potential of natural and human resources

Prof. John Kurakar