National Knowledge Commission Report to the Nation 2009: Overview

for commercialisation of such inventions through
licensing arrangements where inventors would also
be allowed to receive a share of the royalty.
• National Science and Social Science Foundation:
A National Science and Social Science Foundation
(NSSSF) has been recommended by NKC to look at
all knowledge as one seamless entity. The objectives
of the NSSSF would be to suggest policy initiatives
to make India a leader in the creation and use of
new knowledge in all areas of natural, physical,
agricultural, health, and social sciences.
• Innovation: Innovation is a key driver of growth
based on knowledge inputs. NKC conducted an
extensive survey on the status of innovation in the
country. NKC’s Innovation Survey reveals that
innovation is emerging as one of the key factors
in India’s economic growth, where both large
firms and SMEs have increased innovation related
revenues. The strategic prioritisation of innovation
has also increased significantly since the start of
economic liberalisation. Crucial firm level structures
and processes play a key role in innovation, but
skill shortage arising out of lack of emphasis on
experimentation/problem solving in the curricula
is a critical barrier. There is also need for more
effective synergy between industry, government,
the educational system, R&D environment and the
consumer.
• Entrepreneurship: Entrepreneurship has been
recognised as a key driver for wealth creation and
employment generation. Given its importance,
NKC undertook a study to explore factors that
have promoted Entrepreneurship in India as well as
others which could facilitate even greater growth of
Entrepreneurship. Based on the study, several policy
recommendations were suggested. These include
creation of a supportive business environment
through measures such as a single window system,
composite application form etc. and setting up of new
institutional mechanisms such as special commercial
courts and Limited Liability Partnerships. NKC
has also suggested facilitating information flows
by creating one-stop shops, web based portals and
information handbooks for entrepreneurs, and
giving incentives for seed capital funding. Further,
creation of entrepreneurship clubs and incubation
centres, increase in industry-academia synergies,
and introduction of entrepreneurship in school and
college syllabus has been recommended.
APPLICATIONS
Knowledge can be productively applied to promote
technological change, enhance quality of life and
facilitate reliable and regular flow of information. This
requires significant investment in goal-oriented research
and development along with delivery models that can
simplify processes within an industry. Initiatives in the
areas of agriculture, labour and traditional knowledge
can demonstrate that knowledge can be very effectively
applied for the betterment of the community.
• Traditional Health Systems: India has an immensely
rich and complex indigenous medical heritage. NKC
has recommended that major efforts be undertaken
to provide quality education in traditional
medicine. Evidence-based approaches should also be
introduced into the current educational framework,
possibly through institutions of the standard of
IISc, IIT and AIIMS, with commensurate financial
outlays. NKC recommendations focus on the need
for strengthening research through concerted higher
investments and more rigorous methodologies,
ensuring internationally acceptable standardisation
and documentation of herbal medications, promoting
clinical trials, along with adhering to a world-class
certification process. Another aspect highlighted in
the NKC recommendations is the need to create a
suitable IPR framework for better protection of the
sources of traditional medical knowledge, while at
the same time ensuring that sufficient incentives
are created for commercialisation of traditional
medicines.
• Agriculture: NKC recognises that the challenges
facing Indian agriculture can only be addressed
through a comprehensive package of measure that
includes an emphasis on enhanced knowledge
generation and application. NKC has recommended
concrete steps to modernise and stimulate
agricultural research institutions, coordinate
research and make research support more flexible.
It has also recognised the need for improving the
organisation of agricultural research, directing
more research to neglected areas, providing more
effective incentives for researchers and reforming
the curricula in agricultural universities. Further,
to improve the scope and efficiency of extension,
NKC has stressed making knowledge applications in
agriculture community-driven and farmer-led and
shifting the focus to provide an integrated range of
services. NKC has also recommended restructuring
16 National Knowledge Commission