Annual Report 1999-2000

Societal Programmes

S & T Entrepreneurship Development & Employment Generation

National Science and Technology Entrepreneurship Development Board (NSTEDB) has been making systematic and continued effort in fostering entrepreneurship among S&T persons through its programmes and activities. The projects implemented by the Board aim at creation of technocrat-entrepreneurs among the S&T persons through structured training programmes and other facilitating mechanisms. The purpose is to create a new breed of knowledge based entrepreneurs and additional employment through entrepreneurship and application of S&T tools and technologies. During the year 1999-2000, the NSTEDB continued to pursue; and strengthen its multifarious activities/programmes taken up earlier, in addition to conceptualising and initiating a few new projects.

Entrepreneurship Awareness Camps (EACs)

Entrepreneurship Awareness Camps are organised by technical institutions to create awareness amongst the students of the college towards entrepreneurship. It also provides an opportunity to the students to interact with various experts in industry and banking. During the year under report, 103 EACs have been sanctioned thereby exposing about 7000 students to the concept of entrepreneurship as an alternative vocation.

Faculty Development Programme (FDPs)

The absence of competent trainers is felt as a major bottleneck in the development of entrepreneurs. To train and develop professionals in entrepreneurship development, who can further guide and motivate young persons to take to entrepreneurship as their career, Faculty Development Programme was designed. This programme provides necessary knowledge, skill, and aptitude to the trainers for implementing entrepreneurship related programmes and activities.

The duration of FDP is 2-3 weeks and it covers subjects such as entrepreneurship development process and practice, interpersonal skills, creativity, problem solving, counseling skills, behavioural inputs, achievement motivation training, resource and knowledge based input. The training methodology adopted include case studies, audio-visual aids, group discussions, games and simulation exercises, field and institutional visits, and class room lectures.

During 1999-2000, 15 FDPs were sponsored. About 300 trainers are expected to be trained through these FDPs.

Entrepreneurship Development Programmes (EDPs)

Entrepreneurship Development Programme is a structured training programme of six weeks duration. The participants are selected and trained in entrepreneurship and management of small enterprises. During the training programme they were also helped in preparing a bankable project report.

The EDPs are jointly supported by DST and all-India Financial Institutions namely IDBI, IFCI, and ICICI and state governments on a cost-sharing basis. During 1999-2000, 70 EDPs have been supported.

Open Learning Programme in Entrepreneurship (OLPE)

OLPE uses distance education mode for training S&T persons to take to entrepreneurship. This programme is organised by the EDI, Ahmedabad. During the year under report 274 S&T persons from different parts of the country are registered as learners, out of which 48 are women. This programme is being extended to all States and UTs and attempts are being made to use local language for teaching.

Special Entrepreneurship Development Programmes (SEDPs)

In a special EDP, the focus is on specific products/technologies/processes developed by a research and development laboratory having commercial viability. Entrepreneurs selected for an SEDP get both the practicals as well as class room training. The R&D laboratory provides them the technology and the necessary hands on training. The proposals for conducting SEDPs emanate from an EDP conducting institution that has to collaborate with an R&D laboratory for providing necessary technical inputs and training and transfer of technology. Entrepreneurship and management inputs to run an industry come from the EDP institution.

The Board has sponsored 20 SEDPs during 1999-2000 in the areas of instrument design and development, low cost housing materials, meat and meat products, glass and ceramics, energy oriented technologies, telecommunication and bio-medical equipment etc.

Innovation Centre

An Innovation Centre has been established at Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDI), Ahmedabad. This Centre facilitates evolution of technology driven enterprises by providing appropriate information on new technologies. It creates a National Data Bank and Information Centre on innovative business opportunities. The Centre benefits the new and existing entrepreneurs of the country by disseminating required information through information bulletins on selected projects and technologies. To fulfil the above objectives, the Innovation Centre has devised a two-pronged approach:

• Creation of a technology based data bank. The basic thrust of the data is on technology/innovation based project information in the form of product notes, project profiles and feasibility reports to support potential, existing and growth oriented entrepreneurs.Product notes of 104 projects on various technologies were prepared by the centre during the year.
  
• Commercialising products/processes of R&D Laboratories. Workshops/seminars and industry interaction meets with R&D institutions were organised during the year. About 200 industrial units participated in these events and benefited from the services provided.
  

International Business Centre (IBC)

A National Project on International Business Information and Research has been established at Maharashtra Technical Consultancy Organization Ltd. (MITCON), Pune. The basic objectives are to collect and disseminate data on international trade for the S&T entrepreneurs and identify gap areas for Indian industries as compared with international standards coupled with providing upto date international business information so as to make Indian industries competitive in the world market. The services offered, among others, include the following:-

• Identification of products which are imported in India in substantial quantities and value in major industry sectors;
• Assistance for sourcing of the products and components;
• Providing import/export data at micro level in CD ROM diskettes and updating the same regularly;
• Providing on demand upto date information on international trade to industries, Importers and Exporters, Chambers of Commerce, government departments, Export -Promotion Councils, Embassies etc.
• Providing product/process ideas to entrepreneurs based on the information collected through research.

IBC prepared detailed sector-specific studies for six industrial sectors and the services were offered to more than 200 industrial units including medium and large scale industries. The centre has also opened a branch in Mumbai.

Course Material in Video Format

As part of the efforts to provide course materials for use by entrepreneurship development agencies, a project on the preparation of 16-part video serial has been completed. The material thus developed will be used by the EDP conducting institutions to supplement the inputs provided in the training programmes. The material has already been telecast on Door-Darshan and Gyan Darshan channels.

Science and Technology Entrepreneurship Development Scheme (STEDS)

STEDS project envisages matching of the material as well as human resources of the target region to create new enterprises and hence jobs. Thus, data on various available resources is collected and compiled and opportunity profiles are prepared which are, in turn, used by potential entrepreneurs. STEDS also undertake training to upgrade technical skills of the local youth to enable them to become self employed.

The scheme was initiated in 1985 and STEDS are functional at 17 locations all over the country. At the national level, an Advisory Committee comprising of eminent scientists and technologists monitors working of the STEDS projects.

Business Mantra – A TV Serial on Entrepreneurship

A TV serial titled "Business Mantra" was initiated in collaboration with Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) on DD-II every Saturday at 7.30 A.M. The serial aims at providing useful information to new and existing entrepreneurs. The serial has five components viz. Business Facilitator, Business Achievers, Business Update, Legal and Managerial Information and Project Ideas. The programme has gained popularity among the youth wanting to start their own enterprises as well as existing entrepreneurs.

Web-site for Techno-entrepreneurs

A comprehensive web-site providing all information to prospective entrepreneurs for establishing an enterprise is being launched in association with Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI). The web-site would also contain a complete manual on "how to start an enterprise" besides one thousand project profiles and a bulletin board service for technology seekers and providers. The web-site is expected to be ready by the end of current financial year.

Skill Development Training through Science and Technology (STST)

The NSTEDB has been devoting its attention since 1990-91 for up-gradation of skills by using S&T methods and techniques and the expertise available in technical and R&D institutions. A scheme entitled Skill Development Training through S&T (STST) is under implementation by the Board. Each training programme under STST varies depending on the type of skill to be imparted in a particular trade. However, an attempt is made to keep the duration of training between 2-3 months. The programme is implemented through a network of agencies comprising of educational or research institutions, professional bodies or reputed NGOs.

During the year under report, financial support to 52 organisations spread over various States in the country was provided for imparting training to approximately 4,600 youth.

Science and Technology Entrepreneurs Parks (STEPs)

STEP is an ongoing activity promoted jointly by NSTEDB and all India Financial Institutions (IDBI, ICICI & IFCI) with the objective of nurturing innovation and S&T based entrepreneurship and also for fostering the linkages between the academic, R&D institutions and the industry. The STEPs are aimed at providing necessary services, facilities and guidance to the budding as well as existing entrepreneurs. Each STEP operates mainly in the identified thrust areas which are based on the expertise, know how and facilities available in the host institution and the industrial climate of the region. Facilities available with the STEPs include Nursery sheds, Testing and Calibration, Training, Precision tool room and Workshop, Prototype development, Technology Transfer, Computing, Library and documentation, Facilitation towards ISO-9000 certification etc. and common facilities such as Fax, Internet, Telex, Photocopy and Conference room etc.

To meet the challenges & opportunities arising out of the new economic scenario of globalization and liberalization, STEPs are venturing into emerging areas such as Information Technology, Environment & Energy management and Biotechnology etc. Apart from these, all STEPs conduct programmes on skill development and other areas of human resource development to keep abreast the entrepreneurs with the latest technological advances. So far, 13 STEPs are established/being established in and around academic institutions of excellence spread all over the country. The programme has so far resulted in setting up of more than 600 new enterprises employing a capital of about Rs. 50 crores. These units are generating turnover of nearly 88 crores and providing direct employment for about 5000 persons. Further, skill development and other programmes have generated employment for another 6000 persons. Some other recent developments under the programme include-

• STEP at IIT, Kharagpur is engaged in exploring the possibility of growing tea in and around Kharagpur, a non-conventional area for tea cultivation, based on the technology developed by their Agriculture and Food Engineering department The quality of tea grown has been found to be acceptable.
  
• PSG-STEP, Coimbatore has set-up a Software Technology Park with High Speed Datacom Services from VSNL earth station.
  
• Establishment of a Product, Design and development Centre at Bangalore has been approved to meet the growing requirement of new products by SME’s of the region.
  
• STEP Advisory Committee, which monitors the progress of various STEPs, was re-constituted under the chairmanship of Prof. S.K.Joshi, the then DG, CSIR. The committee in the meeting held in Nov’99, has recommended establishment of STEPs/ Technology Business Incubator (TBI) at the following locations.
  
• STEP at B.E.C Bagalkot, Karnataka
  
• STEP at International Advance Research Centre in Powder Metallurgy, Hyderabad
  
• TBI at JSS Academy of Technical Education, Noida
  

UNDP Assistance to STEPs & TBI

UNDP has agreed to extend financial assistance amounting to US$ 1.5 million for strengthening of existing STEPs and establishment of two TBI’s based on the successful experience in other countries. The assistance is for a period of 3 years ending December 2001 under the Technology Management Programme Support (TMPS). The identified components of activities under the project are-

• Setting up of a central Information Facility on products, technologies and patent etc and having connectivity with all STEPs and TBIs
  
• Training in Technology and small business management for entrepreneurs, personnel from STEPs and other related institutions
  
• Establishment of two TBIs
  
• Support to create state-of-the-art facility in product design and rapid prototyping in two STEPs
  
• Access to Expert Systems and consultancy services related to SMEs
  
• Experience sharing with other developing/developed countries
  

Entrepreneurship Development Cell (EDC)

Entrepreneurship Devleopment Cells (EDCs) were started in academic institutions to create an institutional mechanism to promote entrepreneurial culture among S&T persons with a view to ‘catch them young’ and to enable them to become "job-generators" rather than "job-seekers".

These EDCs are engaged in undertaking a number of activities which include creation of entrepreneurial awareness amongst S&T students through conduct of Camps, developing faculty resources in the field of entrepreneurship and conducting Entrepreneurship Development & Skill Development Training Programmes for generating income as well as employment. The EDCs also conduct training of beneficiaries of the Prime Minister’s Rozgar Yojana besides imparting training under Small Industry Management Assistants Programmes (SIMAP) of Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI). Almost all the EDC have introduced entrepreneurship as an optional and non credit course in academic curriculum of the Host Institution while 3 Cells have started conducting Post Graduate Diploma Course in Entrepreneurship. In addition, EDC faculty also delivers guest lectures in other institutions besides participating in discussions on Radio & TV channels on various aspects of entrepreneurship to promote the concept of entrepreneurship in their respective regions. Some EDCs have also been promoting product and process development in addition to conducting programmes on quality control, energy management and environmental issues and prepare project profiles in potential areds.

An Advisory Committee monitors the EDC scheme at the national level. As per the recommendation of the Advisory Committee, an Independent Review of the scheme was conducted and its final report was submitted during the year under report. The review clearly brought out the socio-economic benefits accrued by the EDC scheme and its continuation and expansion was also recommended.

Presently, 22 EDCs are functional throughout the country. Since the scheme has been in existence for over 10 years, revised guidelines for implementing the scheme were formulated and it is proposed to start a dew new EDCs based on these guidelines. According to these guidelines, the scheme would be implemented in a project mode.

Science Tech Entrepreneur

The bi-monthly magazine "Science Tech Entrepreneur" is being regularly published since its launch in October 1995 and there has been a significant increase in number of pages and also circulation and readership of the magazine. Each issue of this priced magazine now contains regular columns on Technology, Management and Business Opportunities besides focussing on at least one segment of industry such as Agriculture, Food Processing, Information Technology, Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals, Electronics, Bio-Technology, Energy, Environment etc. The current print order is around 4000-5000 copies. The magazine is being brought out as a commissioned project of NSTEDB by Centre of Entrepreneurship Development Madhya Pradesh (CEDMAP), Bhopal, which is responsible for Information Sourcing, Composing, Printing, Circulation and Revenue Generation while the Board Secretariat looks after the Contents and Editing of the magazine. During the year under report, about Rs.1.00 lakh has been earned as revenue.