Minister for Science and Technology Dr Jitendra Singh says BRICS should have significant role, owing to its population, knowledge, creativity and innovation
Addressing the 11th BRICS STI Ministerial Meeting at Goeberha in South Africa
through virtual medium on “STI priorities and policies updates”, Dr Jitendra
Singh said, the grouping could collaborate to identify and explore regional
scientific-research challenges through joint S&T solutions suited to local
economies
National Research Foundation approved by the Modi Cabinet will ensure that
scientific research is funded equitably and greater private participation is
forthcoming and for this NRF will have to nudge companies to invest in R&D:
Dr Jitendra Singh
Union
Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology; MoS PMO,
Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra
Singh today said, BRICS (Brazil,
Russia, India, China and South Africa) should
continue to hold global significance for being the most populated marketplace,
driven by the knowledge, creativity and innovation economy.
Addressing
the 11th BRICS STI Ministerial Meeting at Goeberha in South
Africa through virtual medium on “STI priorities and policies updates”, Dr
Jitendra Singh said, the grouping could collaborate to identify and explore
regional scientific-research challenges through joint S&T solutions suited
to local economies.
Dr Jitendra Singh said, India
would support BRICS efforts in developing innovative and inclusive solutions
including digital and technological tools to deepen science and technology cooperation in the
areas like Health, Agriculture, Water, Marine Sciences, Renewable Energy,
Biotechnology, Advanced Digital Technologies and Environment etc. to promote sustainable development and
facilitate affordable and equitable access to global public goods for all. He
said, India looks forward to working closely to enhance the BRICS collaboration in the field of Science, Technology
and Innovation.
Dr
Jitendra Singh said, India has
been steadily progressing ahead along the mantra emphasized upon by Prime
Minister Narendra Modi on ‘Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan, Jai Vigyan, and Jai
Anusandhan,’ to establish its footprint in the research and innovation landscape
at global level. This has paved the way for resounding success. India has now
scaled up to 40th position
as per Global Innovation Index (GII) 2022 as compared to 81st position in 2015. India is placed among the top 3
countries in terms of number of scientific publications as per NSF database; in
context of number of PhDs, magnitude of higher education system; as well as
with respect to the number of technology start-ups and number of unicorns, the
Minister added.
Dr
Jitendra Singh said, the National Research Foundation approved by the Modi
Cabinet will ensure that
scientific research is funded equitably and greater private participation is
forthcoming. For this NRF will have to nudge companies to invest in R&D. We
are planning a unique Public Private Partnership (PPP) entity for which ₹36,000
Cr of the research funding is to come from private sector, mostly industry
whereas Government will put ₹14,000 Cr for the same, to ensure greater
participation of industry, the Minister informed.
NRF
has also been given a task of creating a policy framework and working on
regulatory processes. Several disciplines have to work together to develop
evidence -informed, context-relevant, resource-optimising,
culturally-compatible and equity-promoting solutions. Besides the NRF, there have been a substantial number of other
initiatives that we have undertaken to encourage our researchers working in
basic and applied research addressing
the various Sustainable
Development Goals. Thus, with
ever increasing horizon of research
activities it is pertinent not only to address scientific research but also to
work from end-to-end worksheets to embrace the challenge. This includes
comprehending research challenges, raising the technology readiness level
(TRL), provide business readiness level (BRL) for newly developed technology
products. This can only be achieved through applications of new and emerging
technologies.