National Knowledge Commission Report to the Nation 2009: Overview

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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
the Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA) to make it more decentralised, participatory and locally responsive, and enhancing the role of private players in agricultural extension delivery. • Enhancing Quality of Life: NKC has focused on knowledge applications for enhancing the well being of common people, especially in rural areas. Towards this end, NKC has recommended the setting up of Panchayat Gyan Kendras (PGKs) throughout the country which would ensure efficient implementation of NREGA and would eventually develop into resource centres to demonstrate best practices, evolve local solutions and provide a platform for converging different social sector programs. NKC has also recommended conceptualising fresh perspectives in tool design to improve dignity of labour and ensure skillful engagement and enhanced productivity. SERVICES For the creation of a true knowledge society, the availability of efficient knowledge services for citizens is critical, especially for enhancing citizen-government interface. Technology provides us with an opportunity to ensure accountability, transparency and proficiency in government services. E-governance is one of the ways in which citizens can be empowered to increase transparency of government functioning. • E-governance: To enhance the efficacy of delivery of services by the government, NKC has reiterated that e-governance should be an opportunity not merely for computerisation of age old processes, but a step towards re-thinking our systems and processes to ensure greater efficiency and citizen orientation. NKC recommendations focus on re-engineering government processes to change the basic pattern of governance for simplicity, transparency, productivity and efficiency. They highlight the need for developing common standards and deploying a common platform/ infrastructure for e-governance. Further, 10 to 20 important services that make a critical difference to citizens may be selected, simplified and offered as web-based services, along with beginning all new national programs (like Bharat Nirman, Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme etc.) with wellengineered e-governance implementation and web interface. This will ensure speedy delivery, productivity and efficiency of services making them citizen centric and ensuring that the right people get the benefits. Report to the Nation 17
Page 1: Overview Report to the Nation 1
Page 4 and 5: Terms of Reference and Organisation
Page 6 and 7: Dr. Jayati Ghosh Dr. Ghosh is a Pro
Page 8 and 9: Methodology • Identification of k
Page 10 and 11: NKC Snapshot Recommendations submit
Page 13 and 14: Summary of Recommendations ACCESS P
Page 15: government heavily subsidises unive
Page 19: and awareness and also infrastructu

National Knowledge Commission Report to the Nation 2009: Overview

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