Annual Report 2007 - Observer Research Foundation

aries need to be maintained and expanded wherever possible. Undergraduate laboratories need to
be reequipped with a set of basic equipment and enough resources for maintenance of equipment
and consumables.
One of the ways to efficiently use resources is to set up many more inter university centers with
centralized facilities for use by the university and college teachers. A useful model might be a regional
center model which caters to a region and can be thus more accessible. The research facilities set up at
any department need to be made open to colleagues from other departments and colleges.
CENTRE FOR RESOURCES MANAGEMENT
The ORF Centre for Resources Management is an autonomous unit within Observer Research Foundation.
The initial focus of the work carried out by the Centre is on India’s immediate challenges
in the energy sector: the pursuit of economic efficiency, energy security and environmental sustainability.
The Centre’s ambitious agenda of emerging as the nation’s key repository of information and
knowledge is pursued through studies that are internally funded or commissioned by other agencies,
through organisation of seminars with participation of world renowned experts and discourses with
key thought leaders and policy makers in the field of energy.
KEY PROJECTS & PUBLICATIONS
I-Cubed Model: The model is designed to provide reliable information about the economy, environment
and energy effects of a broad spectrum of issues ranging from energy
subsidies to demographic changes in an integrated manner. It is a multi-sector,
inter-temporal general equilibrium model of the Indian economy. The
model development is a joint effort of Observer Research Foundation and the
Brookings Institution of the US. It bridges the gaps between three areas of research-
Econometric general equilibrium modelling, International trade theory
and modern macroeconomics- by incorporating the best features of each. The
project has entered Phase II of model development.
Development of energy demand forecasts for the Planning Commission,
Government of India: The Commission’s Report on Integrated Energy
Policy in which Dr. Kirit S Parikh, Member (Energy), Planning Commission
& Chairman, Expert Committee on Integrated Energy Policy quoted “I also
thank Dr. Vivek Karandikar and Dr. Prasanna Dani of the Observer Research
Foundation for their help in developing energy supply scenarios.” These energy
demand forecasts were developed using a multisectoral, multi period optimizing
linear programming model. The model developed by Observer Research
I-Cubed Model is
designed to provide
reliable information
about the economy,
environment and
energy effects of
a broad spectrum
of issues in an
(left to right)
● Mr. S.C. Tripathi, former
Secretary (P&NG), at
focus group discussion
on rising crude oil
prices.
● Prof. S.S. Gill (L) speaks
on crisis in agriculture.
(R) Mr. R.K. Mishra.
● Mr. Anand Bordia
speaks on “Afghanistan
and transit routes to
central Asia”.
integrated manner
STUDIES &
INITIATIVES
Annual Report 2007 ◆ Observer Research Foundation
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