National Commission for Science and Technology
Engineering Post Report
National Commission for Science and Technology (NCST) despite being the apex body for deliberating policies of important Science ,Technology and Innovation Sector has not held its meetings for more than a decade.
According to the information available from official sources, it has now been stressed at the appropriate level that the Ministry of Science and Technology will preferably arrange two but at least one meeting of NCST to advance a consequential national agenda and performance reporting for Science, Technology and Innovation at the very highest level of the federal government.
It has been duly acknowledged at the official level that there is dire need for reviving Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) sector for ensuring it plays its due role for economic development of the country. As such, there is also need to focus on linkage among industry,Research and Development organizations, academia and the government. Share of the private sector in overall Research and Development expenditure has also to be improved accordingly appropriately.
Furthermore, there is also disconnect among the defence and civilian Research and Development organizations as well as the private sector.
Keeping in view these problems, following approach will be adopted for uplifting STI sector in the country on priority basis preferably during ongoing and next financial years.
Some highlights of the approach besides activating the National Commission for Science and Technology are being given below briefly for information of all concerned.
Ministry of Science and Technology will refdorm and re-organize its Research and Development (R & D) organizations with new and focused mandates/mission and well-defined measures for ensuring maximization of their output.
R & D organizations with their new mandate will be expected to have a close liaison with industry, academia and private sector for focused research that can be translated into products and processes for demonstration at pilot level and subsequent commercialization.
R&D organizations within and outside Ministry of Science and Technology will be encouraged to create collaborations with industry/ private sector and also generate own resources to meet part of recurring expenditure.
A national framework for civilian spillover of defence technologies will be framed and finalized after due consultation with all stakeholders. This framework will,hopefully, provide opportunity for close collaboration of civilian and defence R & D organizations as well as private sector to develop selected few technologies in the beginning and further expansion in longer run.
The youth of the nation is only inspired if they find indigenous capacity development and products commercialization in the country. The 12th Five Year Plan stresses to Fund at least 5 Mega Initiatives to address both national needs as well as future aspirations in science and technology and innovation. One such initiative at least need to be started during next year for assessing its impact and expand the experience in future.
The priority areas for next year will, accordingly, be Human Resource Development (HRD), Popularization and Promotion of Science , Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) Facilitation, Water Resources, Oceanography, Herbal Medicines, Quality Assurance and Standards, Halal Accreditation, Gems & Precious Stones, Medical Devices and Health, Water Conservation, Renewable Energy, Electronics and Automation.
