Date:07/09/2004 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2004/09/07/stories/2004090701100300.htm

Back Govt calls for industry participation to set up quality technical institutes

Our Bureau

Mr Kapil Sibal, Minister for Science and Technology, with Mr George Theriault, President and CEO, GE Fanuc Asia-Pacific, at the Emerge Tech 2004 in the Capital on Monday. — Kamal Narang

New Delhi , Sept. 6

THE Government on Monday called for increased industry participation for setting up superior technical institutes. The Minister of State for Science & Technology, Mr Kapil Sibal, stressed the need for increased investment in social infrastructure, particularly in education and health care.

"There is growing need for the industry to collaborate with the Government in setting up of superior technical institutes to match global standards. The task that lies ahead is how fast can we get the kind of innovation that would change the global thinking," stated Mr Sibal at a conference on Emerging Technologies organised by Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in New Delhi earlier today.

The task of the Government is to provide the entrepreneurs with the right environment, he added.

He emphasised that automation is very essential for becoming competitive internationally.

He stated that India needs an inverted pyramid of scientists for progressing.

Delivering his special address, Mr George Theriault, President & CEO, GE Fanuc Asia Pacific, stressed that innovation in productivity would determine the market leaders in the area of manufacturing in the next decade. India has a lot of scope in the area of low cost manufacturing, enhancing resources and improving policy framework.

Earlier, Mr Ramesh C. Jain, Group Vice-Chairman, Eicher Ltd, stated that India could build advantage over low-cost countries in the field of engineering skills.

He identified three key forces driving change in the world today: general market forces, changes in design and change in production technology.