Human capital development is a must to integrate Asia into the global knowledge economy: Kapil Sibal

The Minister for Science and Technology and Ocean Development, Shri Kapil Sibal has stressed the need for human capital development to integrate Asia into the global knowledge economy. Delivering the keynote address at the inaugural session of the Microsoft Government Leaders Forum here today, the Minister also called for an active public policy and political commitments to technology and to developing an innovation economy. This, he said, can be achieved through Government investment in basic research and a clear and flexible licensing regime to exploit the public discoveries, strong university structures, a functioning and competitive marketplace and human capital development.

Shri Sibal observed that the advantage of India as well as much of Asia is its human capital. This human capital, he said, is capable of integrating the Asian continent into the global knowledge economy by creating technologies which are affordable and suitable for local conditions. In order to meet the knowledge demand the Minister suggested following solutions:

More education, more focus on math, sciences at basic levels;

More practical skills integrated into higher level education, so that when talent graduates, it can immediately be useful to enterprises and businesses;

More cross border exchanges within the region so that Asia’s talented can work freely throughout the region and stimulate each other’s human capital.

Shri Sibal pointed out that women are underrepresented in the field of science and technology leaving half the workforce basically untapped. He said that his Ministry through an S&T Programme for Empowerment of Women is promoting development and adaptation of appropriate technology to benefit women in society. In another programme called the Women Scientists Scheme, opportunities are being provided to women scientists who had to suffer breaks in their career to come back as bench-level scientists.

He said the 21st century will be that of Asia, as it will command a significant proportion of the global economy and contribute a high level of working population to the global workforce. Shri Sibal pointed out that the region can be a powerhouse of knowledge if we truly collaborate and support one another.

Stressing the need for public-private collaboration to raise the standard of living in Asia, Shri Sibal acknowledged that the recently introduced low cost computers and the geographical mapping programme could have not been possible without significant private sector involvement. He also informed the gathering that Microsoft is offering a low cost version of Windows to meet the demand of India’s rural poor.

Source : Ministry of Science & Technology
Date : December 06, 2005