Bilateral cooperation a must for sustainable growth: Minister

Introduction

We can innovate in crucial areas only when research is need-based: Harsh Vardhan

In the backdrop of a string of agreements between various African countries and Indian entrepreneurs and innovators, Minister of Science and Technology Harsh Vardhan underscored the need for bilateral cooperation for sustainable growth.

Speaking on the second day of Global R&D Summit in Hyderabad, the Minister said: “For several years, India has provided scholarships to thousands of students from African countries for pursuing education and research. We are looking at collaborative research as a capacity-building exercise. It's a way ahead for South-South cooperation.”

The Minister dwelt at length on the scientific infrastructure in the country and how it can prove to be a driving force to help other countries. “Shared prosperity is the key to meeting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Research has to be need-based, only then we can innovate in crucial areas. We have large English speaking workforce, and an aspirational middle class that is willing to pay for good products. We have incentivised research with clear tax and regulatory framework,” said Dr. Vardhan.

An India-Ethiopia Innovation, Technology, Transfer & Commercialisation Programme was jointly launched by Dr. Vardhan and Getahun Mekuria, Minister of Science and Technology, Government of Ethiopia.

Earlier, spelling out the achievements of the Telangana government in hand-holding innovators and tinkerers, Ajit Rangnekar of Research and Innovation Circle, Government of Telangana Initiative, said: “Food and health are biggest challenges that we are facing today. We have invested heavily and strategically in the R&D space to help innovators in these sectors. We have the best infrastructure in the seed research and pharma sector. We are looking at genetics, robotics, AI and smart manufacturing to stay ahead”.

Promoting research

The summit is an annual event of FICCI with the objective of promoting research and development in the field of science and technology. This year, a few African countries were partners of the event.

Source

The hindu, 22 February 2019