Code No: P045 Price:Available on RequestCategory: Other Areas

Summary  : TIFAC began its contributions from 1989 with sharply focussed technology forecasting and assessment reports as well as techno-market surveys: forerunners of forward looking technology movement in the country.

They covered most of the important areas of social and economic significance to the country. The reports provide a vision and options for technology trajectories for industries, institutions, entrepreneurs and experts.

The reports contain wealth of information and knowledge base for technology linked business opportunities. Incidentally the reports also become a rally point for Indian technology expertise to focus on commercial opportunities – reports generated by Indian experts in an Indian context but with a global outlook.

Year of Publication : 2001

Customised Technologies: Development to Delivery

                                     A unique knowledge network in actionGrowing wider, stronger and reaching out..

Foreword by Prof. V.S. Ramamurthy, Secretary DST

Technology is now sought after in every walk of life – agriculture, business, governance, security, protection of environment, pollution control, social up-liftment, healthcare, sports, entertainment, education, cultural activities – the list is long. While one is happy to note this positive development of widespread awareness of the need for technologies, often the complex process of technology development and its delivery to actual end users are not well understood. Therefore, expectations and the results often do not match.

Three major modes in which the technologies percolate into the economy and society

One mode is in which the push is from technologists. Others may not, at an early phase, understand the full potentials and possibilities of technologies. So the technological groups should sense the possible end uses and market, develop products and convince others. Magnetic Resonance imaging (MRI) scan was one such technology.

In the Indian context use of composite materials is an example. The whole range of technologies, products and designs by the Advanced Composite Mission (ACM) speak for themselves. One is glad to note that industry is now taking the lead as they find good business too. These products from ACM have found major users in the rehabilitation efforts at Bhuj.

Another mode is where the user places a demand or expresses a desire to change. The technologists scans the state of the industry and the users and technologies, and comes up with solutions. Successful demonstrations in partnership with industry and users lead to further multiplier efforts.

The user transforms into a modern phase of business. Sugar Technology Mission (STM) falls in this category, its success have made sugar industries and Ministry of Food looking at STM as their own.

The third mode is the social need; there are multiple actors and stake holders. But somebody has to take the lead in mobilizing actions, create technologies and standardize products and processes, and even change government procedures so that actions spread to all parts of society.

Fly Ash Utilisation Mission (FAM) falls in this category. Thanks to its efforts fly ash utilization in the country has increased about ten fold and is now growing much faster. It is also a story of changing waste to wealth.

I am glad that TIFAC has achieved a great deal in all the three modes of technology services and delivery through the Missions and also through the Home Grown Technology Programme (HGT) which has a wide spectrum in its 50 projects from robotics to coir pitch usage.

TIFAC’s mode of working directly with industries and users have created many successful models which are worth studying as they would be useful for many other projects by other agencies and industries as well.

A word about Techno Market Survey Reports and other technology forecasting and assessment reports from TIFAC. Such focussed reports which look at the global status and assess technology options in the Indian context, help in the success of the technology projects.

They are the knowledge base on which the projects are launched by industries also by themselves.

TIFAC has a wide range of activities – all connected with technology services and delivery – be it Intellectual Property Right (IPR) or preparing the educational institutions for capabilities in high performance computing or Centres of Relevance and Excellence (CORE) in colleges or its most popular Website or Expert Network. DST/TIFAC have a unique advantage of serving the country as a whole primarily through networking cutting across disciplines and institutions. The achievements are updated in this new document.

Since TIFAC has a wide network and knowledge base on Waste Recycling and Management, we are planing to launch a number of projects on Waste, as a part of Vision 2020 projects.

I look forward to a major movement in India to unleash the potential and dormant technological capabilities of Indian institutions, industries and individuals.

Message by Y.S. Rajan, Former Executive Director & Member Secretary

• TIFAC began its contributions from 1989 with sharply focussed technology forecasting and assessment reports as well as techno-market surveys: forerunners of forward looking technology movement in the country. They covered most of the important areas of social and economic significance to the country. The reports provide a vision and options for technology trajectories for industries, institutions, entrepreneurs and experts.

• The reports contain wealth of information and knowledge base for technology linked business opportunities. Incidentally the reports also become a rally point for Indian technology expertise to focus on commercial opportunities – reports generated by Indian experts in an Indian context but with a global outlook.

• Soon, under the guidance of the TIFAC Governing Council and many other experts, the knowledge base led to networked actions in several parts of India. It created a number of Home Grown Technologies and Technology Missions. These innovative technology projects were instrumental in creating a new India, a new mind set. These multiple development led to Technology Vision for India 2020; a unique set of documents showing clearly the Indian stregths, and also a path ahead.

• We had reported about this reality of knowledge network in action in our earlier report "Technology Development: Towards Commericalisation" dated 10th February, 2000. (TIFAC:P: 044). The network is growing wider, deeper and stronger.

• The TIFAC technology development has not only led to commericalisation with competitive strengths but has developed special features of reaching out, which is crucial for customisation. The development has grown further beyond commercialisation to delivery.

• We are happy to share with you glimpses of these new developments with the readers, who have encouraged us earlier, and have given suggestions for new areas of actions.

• We would not be what we but for a large number of persons who are creating and sustaining the knowledge-action-network of TIFAC. They guide TIFAC, help TIFAC and make it reach out and customise. We specially thank of all of them and invite many more partners to take us forward.

We are very happy that this report is being released on Technology Day 11th Mary, 2001.