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Technology Information Assessment and Dissemination in India
Ajay Mathur
Energy-Environment Technology Division
Tata Energy Research Institute
New Delhi - 110 003, India
Keywords: Institutional framework, technology development, information
system, forecasting
Summary
The Technology Information, Forecasting and Assessment Council (TIFAC), established
as an information clearinghouse by Government of India, is playing a significant
role in technology development of the country. TIFAC can serve as a role model
institutional infrastructure in a developing country for technology information
flows, analysis and technology development.
Background
Established in 1988, during a period of transition when India was moving from
a state-regulated economy to a market driven system, TIFAC is an autonomous
organisation under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government
of India (GoI). Its mission is to undertake technology assessment and forecasting
studies in key areas of the national economy, keep track of global trends in
technology and formulate preferred options for India, and establish a nationally
accessible technology information system. Though it does not explicitly state
protecting the global environment as one of its objectives, TIFAC was chosen
for this case study because it represents a developing country's effort to promote
technology assessment and forecasting that are vital for a successful realisation
of the initiatives under the Climate Change Convention.
Approach
Activities at TIFAC include information dissemination, studies on technology-linked
business opportunities, technology sourcing, commercialisation of technology
projects, and extending patent information service to scientists from academic
institutions. TIFAC's mandate includes functioning as a clearinghouse on information,
and is facilitated through a technology information system aimed to disseminate
techno-commercial information and business opportunities, especially to entrepreneurs
and business planners. At the macro level, TIFAC has produced a series of documents
on India's efforts in science and technology development in all sectors (government,
private and public, etc.). TIFAC disseminates information through newsletters,
participation in national and international technology expositions, industry
meetings, and one-to-one mail campaigns. TIFAC provides assistance in technology
sourcing worldwide. There is a Patent Facilitating Cell, with the support of
a panel of attorneys, to assist scientists patent their inventions by providing
financial and technical support. In addition, the functions include information
dissemination to create awareness about intellectual property rights while keeping
abreast of global developments and to facilitate the use of patent information
as inputs to R&D programmes. In order to be in line with global developments,
TIFAC has international linkages with institutions/organisations including the
Association of South East Asian Nations, the United Nations Industrial Development
Organisation, the World Association of Industrial and Technological Research
Organisation, the International Association of Technology Assessment and Forecasting
Institutions, the National Science and Technology Board (Singapore), and the
National Technical Information Service (US Department of Commerce).
Impacts
About 170 studies have been undertaken encompassing a broad spectrum on materials,
chemicals, energy, environment, and information technology. Studies aimed at
establishing the technology status in the country vis-à-vis emerging
global trends based on 'market-pull' and 'technology-push'. The results have
been used for investment risk evaluation by financial institutions, and have
been instrumental in planning the technology development efforts of many government
departments. To prepare the technology vision for the country, 5000 experts
from the industry and government, R&D, and academic institutions were brought
together in a span of two years to identify the focal areas of the country.
TIFAC's technology sourcing database contains more than 4,000 technology offers
and business opportunities. It has also established several national centres
of excellence for joint technology promotion and development in areas like leather,
aerospace, and chemical technology.
Lessons Learned
There are three lessons from this experience:
Bibliography
TERI, 1997: Capacity building for technology transfer in the context of climate
change.
Contact
The Registrar,TIFAC, Dept. of Science & Technology,Technology Bhawan,New
Mehrauli Road,New Delhi 110016.Fax. 011-6857643, 6863866
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