Union Minister of State Dr. Jitendra Singh launches a training program for Science Administrators at the Administrative Staff College of India (ASCI). In addition, he also launched a governance course module through the iGOT platform.
During the launch, Dr. Jitendra Singh emphasized the critical role of science and technology in addressing the challenges of our time, such as pandemics, sustainability, and climate change. He noted that technology governance itself assumes a crucial role in ensuring that the benefits of Science & Technology (S&T) are realized.
The Union Minister also spoke about the challenges of S&T governance, citing the so-called Collingridge dilemma, which holds that early in the innovation process, the full consequences of the technology and the need for change might not be fully apparent. Dr. Jitendra Singh stressed the importance of ensuring that the development of S&T is geared towards improving the ease of living for citizens and that the benefits of science should be realized through societally beneficial outcomes.
The Minister also emphasized the role of science administrators in bridging the gap between public and private sector research and development. He noted that while private sector participation in Indian R&D is significant, there is still much that can be achieved by bringing together public and private sector R&D. He highlighted the need for science administrators to play a key role in developing and efficiently operating critical nodes that support S&T development in both sectors.
Dr. Jitendra Singh emphasized the government’s support for private S&T development at all stages, from early research to business innovation. This support may be financial, in the form of research grants and innovation grants, or non-financial, through infrastructure support such as incubators and software parks. The Minister noted that science administrators play a vital role in ensuring the efficient operation of these critical nodes.
The training program for science administrators launched by Dr. Jitendra Singh at ASCI is a significant step toward improving S&T governance in India. The Minister’s emphasis on the role of science administrators in bridging the gap between public and private sector research and development and in ensuring the efficient operation of critical nodes is commendable. With the government’s support for private S&T development and the active participation of science administrators, India is poised to realize the benefits of Science & Technology for the betterment of its citizens.
