NEW DELHI: President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam on Wednesday urged the Ministries of Human Resource Development and Science and Technology to launch a major drive to build up human resources in emerging fields such as nanotechnology, biotechnology and information technology.

The President was inaugurating a two-day Indo-U.S. conclave on nanotechnology here.

India could follow Singapore's "Biopolis model," witnessed by him during his recent visit there.

Under the model, a global search for talent would be made and the talent spotted would be provided with all amenities to qualify from a university of his or her choice. The candidates' entire study programme would be funded and they were mandated to return and work in Singapore in the field of life sciences for a minimum of six years.

Nurture young talent

"There is an important message here for all of us to nurture young talent for all scientific research work, particularly in nanoscience and nanotechnology. With 540 million youth in India, we have to hone skills of youth at the graduate, post-graduate and Ph.D levels, " Mr. Kalam said.

He rued that despite doing exceedingly well in the field of research in advanced topics right from the late 1950s, India lagged behind in implementing the research findings on a commercial level.

"This should not happen vis-à-vis areas like nanotechnology and convergence of nanotechnology with ICT and BT. Therefore, even while eminent scientists are focussing on basic research, simultaneously, Indian industries __ small, big and medium __ must work in tandem to commercialise nanotechnology," the President said.

Suggesting setting up special funds by industries to commercialise products, Mr. Kalam called for creation of innovative managerial mechanisms to ensure that the funds were utilised speedily with commercial success in mind.

"I feel the Government can set apart sufficient funds on a non-lapsable basis for nanotechnology commercialisation."

India should strive to capture at least five per cent of the market share in the nanotechnology sector within a decade from now, using its core competence with international partnership. The country needs to launch vertical missions in nanotechnology under organisations such as the CII or NASSCOM, and with the public-private investment in at least 10 nanotechnology products in fields like water, energy, agriculture, healthcare, space, defence and ICT.

"Indian nanotechnology initiatives are maturing into marketable products for worldwide applications. Industries, both foreign and Indian, are evincing interest to commercialise our technologies," Mr. Kalam said.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail