Inter-Sectoral Science & Technology Advisory Committee

Department of Science & Technology (DST) under Ministry of Science & Technology DST is a pivotal organisation on policy, coordination and promotion of Science & Technology in the country. In early 1980s, Government in pursuance of its policy of self-reliance felt that India was lagging behind in technology growth in the key sectors of economy. The perennial issue was how to make use of S&T in the pursuits of economic growth. Such deliberations led to a Technology Policy Statement, announced in 1983. The Technology Policy Implementation Committee (TPIC) in the Planning Commission then recommended setting up of Science & Technology Advisory Committees (STACs) in all socio-economic Ministries. DST was suggested as nodal agency, to oversee the programmes of STACs. DST took charge of this activity in 1988 and devised Terms of Reference and Model Composition of STACs in the Ministries. A coordinating committee IS-STAC, was set up within DST Chaired by Secretary DST, comprising of Member Secretaries from all STACs.

Objectives

To provide inter-disciplinary inputs in the S&T programmes of socio-economic Ministries. To exchange information on work of STACs in difference ministries. To act as focal point for evolving multi-partnership Joint Technology Projects.	India's first Colum Flotation Insatallation at Rajpura-Dariba Mines , HZI, Udaipur for zinc beneficiation, supported jointly by Min. of Mines, DST and HZL
To organise Interactive Meets and undertake Studies in the area of common interest

Evolution and Promotion of Joint Technology Projects

An important milestone in the deliberations of IS-STAC has been initiation of multi-partnership projects. DST, drawing from its strength in promotion of science and techonology, Experts Data base, set of guidelines for R&D funding, support to emerging areas in any field and tacit knowledge of its human resource, sought participation of Ministries in funding of multi-partnership Research Development & Demonstration (RD&D) projects in the areas of their concern. They eventually came to be known as Joint Technology Projects (JTP).

Scaled perspex model of Meter-Gasllier of COREX process for increase utilization of indigenous non - coking coal, supported jointly by Min. of Steel and DST

Joint Technology Projects are examples of cooperative research which entails joining of technical and financial resources from Government Departments as different from cooperative research with Industry or Pvt. Sector, Socio-economic Ministries present a vast canvas of disciplines, some are overlapping in their objects, some are poles apart. To address these issues following mechanisms have been proposed :

Laboratory Scale Pressure Swing Adsorption Unit for Helium Seperation at Indian Institutue of Petroleum, Dehradun, supported jointly by DRDO and DST

• Small sub-Groups/ Expert Groups comprising of ministries having similar or interdependent area of work, of a few independent experts, representatives of concerned ministry and DST.
• Task Force on identified thrust areas with the objectives to take new initiatives for joint funding.

Guidelines for Joint Technology Projects implementation have been brought out. In promotion of RD&D through JTP, DST is looking for a synergy among Science, Technology, Socio-economic growth, R&D Investment and ultimately profitability through this scheme.

The achievements in some of the joint technology projects supported with different socio-economic ministiries are highlighted here.

Participation of Youth in Real-Time Observation to Benefit Education (PROBE)

The division has launched the scheme on Participation of youth in Real-time/ field Observations for the Benefit of Education (PROBE). The primary objective of PROBE, initiated in the States of Uttarakhand, Tamil Nadu, National Capital Region of Delhi, Orissa and North-East, has been to train students at school level (classes IX, X and XI) in taking meteorological observations for understanding day-to-day environment including weather. Commenced in Uttarakhand in 2003 with the goal of linking students and teachers with the scientific research community, the Scheme has made substantial progress.

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Contact

For more information please contact :

Dr Ishraq Ahmed
Scientist 'G' & Head (STAC)
Department of Science & Technology
Technology Bhawan
New Mehrauli Road
New Delhi-110 016.
Phone : 011-26590440
Telefax: 011-26960203
Email:ishraq dot ahmed at nic dot in