NIHERST and NISTADS Sign
Intent of Memorandum of Understanding in India
January 5th 2012
Centre: Minister Fazal Karim signs MoU with NISTADS in New Delhi India.
L to R: Permanent Secretary MSTTE Jaggernauth Soom; NIHERST Chairman Jwala Rambarran;
Advisor Navneet Boodhai, UTT Chairman Curtis Manchoon; and Director NISTADS Dr. P. Banerjee.
On Thursday January 5th 2012, the National Institute of
Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (NIHERST) formally
initiated links with the National Institute for Science, Technology and
Development Studies (NISTADS), a centre of excellence under the Council of
Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in India through the signing of an
Intent of Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
In 2011, the Board of Governors of NIHERST approved a new
strategic plan to enable the Institute to better support the advancement of
Trinidad and Tobago’s scientific and technological capability, and economic
diversification through knowledge and innovation. Commenting after the
signing ceremony Minister Karim indicated that the cooperation with NISTADS
was timely and focused on research and intelligence gathering for national
development.
Jwala Rambarran, Chairman of NIHERST, said that under its
strategic plan, NIHERST’s focus in the years ahead will intensify in several
key areas. He indicated a priority for the development of a national science
policy that will guide the funding of strategic research and development
(R&D); the promotion of innovation and the commercialisation of technology
in economic priority areas; the building of collaborative global
relationships with world-class science, technology and innovation (STI)
institutions; and the fostering of a wider national culture of science,
innovation and entrepreneurship.
Major new projects under the strategic plan include the
development of a national science policy; a foresight-based training and
skills study to guide human resource development and the funding for
tertiary education; the construction of a state-of-the-art national science
centre; and assistance to rural groups in the adoption of rainwater
harvesting and renewable energy technologies for disaster mitigation and
sustainable living. Foresight-based entrepreneurship will also be explored
in niche areas such as biotechnology, high value-added food and beverage
products, and the creative sector.
NISTADS, which was established in September 1980, is
devoted to the study of various aspects of interaction among science,
society and state and is dedicated to the concern and problems of developing
countries. The Institute’s research is wide ranging and it has proven
capabilities in technology and economics, life sciences, entrepreneurship
and micro-entrepreneurship development, innovation-strategy and management,
law and intellectual property issues, knowledge management, R&D management,
science policy and S&T mapping, and resource mapping/geography.
Rambarran indicated that NISTADS’ core competencies match
the emerging areas of interest to NIHERST. These include in particular:
science, technology and innovation policy research in the context of
developing countries; S&T mapping; entrepreneurship; public science and
technology; innovation strategy and management; knowledge management, and
R&D management. This opens up several possibilities for collaboration that
will be of mutual benefit to both institutions and therefore to both
Trinidad and Tobago and India.
The Memorandum of Understanding will facilitate, in the
first stages of collaboration, the exchange of research scholars and
students; the hosting of joint conferences on science and technology; the
execution of joint research programmes, and assistance with the development
of science and technology policy.
One of the immediate collaborative projects is the
hosting in 2012 of a joint India/Trinidad and Tobago conference on science,
technology and innovation policy among emerging economies. Another immediate
project is assistance from NISTADS on the development of a national science
policy.
Group Shot at NISTADS
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