A new project of the PanIIT Alumni India to promote innovation in India may be just the right push needed to bring the achievements of budding inventors and innovators to fruition.
EFY Times reports that the India Technology Centre (ITC) will be functioning under the aegis of PanIIT Alumni India (PIAI), with its primary objectives as follows:
- To promote and foster a culture of innovation and invention in India.
- To provided support and guidance to inventors, and help them to develop, register and license their patents.
- To be a reliable source of information on matters of technology and policy to the public and society.
The IITs are leading the way in innovation in India already, with incubation centres and mentors on offer in almost all the IITs. I am not sure of how the ITC is connected with existing incubators, but I’m sure there will be attempts to coordinate and support the activities that are already ongoing.
This initiative is particularly of interest to SpicyIP, which has been, almost annoyingly, harping on the need to have an “innovation culture” in this country, and how policymakers, academic and research institutions, and corporate entities can help create that.
There’s a neat little concept note on the ITC that you can download and read here, which intends to broaden the institutional set-up already available, through four components which I summarise below:
1. DATA & INFORMATION CENTRE (DIC): A one-stop shop for information and due diligence on inventions, including:
There’s a neat little concept note on the ITC that you can download and read here, which intends to broaden the institutional set-up already available, through four components which I summarise below:
1. DATA & INFORMATION CENTRE (DIC): A one-stop shop for information and due diligence on inventions, including:
- Has the invention been patented already?
- Is it worth patenting?
- What is the potential value of such an invention?
- What is the time and cost involved in applying for and being granted a patent?
- Venture capital resources to pursue the invention development
- Potential licensees for the end-product
The DIC will have access to international technology and research databases through high-speed internet links, and also provide the public on-line access to its own information databases. It will have free and charged access options for different levels of access.
2. INNOVATION CENTRE (IC): This will be an organisation to create opportunities for the interaction of Indian students, researchers and technologists with global thought leaders and innovators. This will also house the Hall of Invention, a permanent exposition focusing on the inventors and inventions that have impacted human development, and where technology may take us in the future.
3. RESEARCH & ANALYSIS INSTITUTE (RAI): The “Think Tank” in the project which will offer information and advice on emerging trends and technologies, as well as undertake commissioned studies.
4. INCUBATION CENTRE (FIC): A centre where anyone with an idea but lacking resources and facilities can build their prototypes. It will provide Technical information and advice, Entrepreneurship development, Mentorship, Facilities for for development of prototypes and working models. It will also aid the development of solutions for India specific problems.
The India Technology Center is an idea still in the concept stage, and we shall wait to see how things pan out. Regardless, it is a much-needed initiative, which will surely have potential entrepreneurs lining up waiting to cash in on their ideas!
2. INNOVATION CENTRE (IC): This will be an organisation to create opportunities for the interaction of Indian students, researchers and technologists with global thought leaders and innovators. This will also house the Hall of Invention, a permanent exposition focusing on the inventors and inventions that have impacted human development, and where technology may take us in the future.
3. RESEARCH & ANALYSIS INSTITUTE (RAI): The “Think Tank” in the project which will offer information and advice on emerging trends and technologies, as well as undertake commissioned studies.
4. INCUBATION CENTRE (FIC): A centre where anyone with an idea but lacking resources and facilities can build their prototypes. It will provide Technical information and advice, Entrepreneurship development, Mentorship, Facilities for for development of prototypes and working models. It will also aid the development of solutions for India specific problems.
The India Technology Center is an idea still in the concept stage, and we shall wait to see how things pan out. Regardless, it is a much-needed initiative, which will surely have potential entrepreneurs lining up waiting to cash in on their ideas!
