Thursday, August 31, 2017

AJSTID Paper "In-vitro Diagnostics (IVDs) Innovations for Resource-Poor settings: The Indian Experience" by Nidhi Singh & Dinesh Abrol

In-vitro Diagnostics (IVDs) Innovations for Resource-Poor settings: The Indian Experience 

by Nidhi Singh & Dinesh Abrol, African Journal of Science, Technology, Innovation and Development, 2017, DOI: 10.1080/20421338.2017.1359465.

Abstract: This article illustrates how the present institutional arrangements and the policy regime under perusal have not been able to support the development of an ecosystem for innovation-making for in-vitro diagnostics (IVDs) for resource-poor settings. Policies favouring trade liberalization and foreign direct investment, market deregulation, strong intellectual property rights, absence of stringent regulations of accreditation and quality control and limiting public R&D support to basic research and development of scientific and technical manpower have defined the dynamics of innovation-making for the IVDs in India since the year 2000. Investment in the IVDs for the management of priority diseases for resource-poor settings continues to be only a small fraction of the R&D investment, translational research and market formation in India. Seventy-five per cent of diagnostics needs are still met through imported and maladapted diagnostic innovations. Although with the help of public-funded policy initiatives undertaken by the government there are now some young start-ups that have emerged and are beginning to focus on some of the diagnostic needs and challenges facing resource-poor settings, but they have not been able to enter the market with fully developed products in any kind of significant way. Low levels of interest in innovation, making for resource-poor settings, is reflected in the system-building activities of public sector R&D institutions, industry and the healthcare system. Lack of collaboration between national R&D institutions and large domestic firms continues to be the defining feature of the national innovation system in the case of IVDs. Innovation making for resource-poor settings is yet to become a priority for the challenge-based innovation system-building approach. Analysis confirms the impact of convergence of neo-liberal deregulation, trade liberalization and investment liberalization on the processes of fragmentation and underdevelopment of capabilities, preference for market calculations over social calculations and undervaluation of the needs of resource-poor settings. Since the relevant actors have been bidding a good-bye to the values of universality, equality and comprehensiveness, the neglect of non-market based social calculations is reflected in the innovation-making practice of R&D institutions and industry. The article suggests that the challenge of innovation-making for resource-poor settings cannot be tackled without shifting away from the path of deregulation, liberalization of trade and investment, and moving into the implementation of a challenge-based innovation system-building approach by the state, in the case of IVDs.

Keywords: in-vitro diagnostics, resource-poor settings, innovation, system-building, market calculations, non-market based social calculations.



Open Educational Resources: Removing Barriers From Within | by Sanjaya Mishra, COL

Open Educational Resources: Removing Barriers From Within

by Sanjaya Mishra, Distance Education, 2017, DOI: 10.1080/01587919.2017.1369350.

Abstract: Enthusiasts and evangelists of open educational resources (OER) see these resources as a panacea for all of the problems of education. However, despite its promises, their adoption in educational institutions is slow. There are many barriers to the adoption of OER, and many are from within the community of OER advocates. This commentary calls for a wider discussion to remove these barriers to mainstreaming OER in teaching and learning and argues for a rethinking of the idea of 'open' to make it more inclusive by redefining the concept. It reminds us of the original thinking behind OER – which was to create universally available educational resources that can improve the quality of teaching and learning. This commentary posits arguments against conflating OER and open education, questions the narrow definitions of OER, and raises issues around how to be more flexible and open to mainstreaming OER and removing barriers from within the OER movement.


Keywords: Open educational resources; open educational practices; open licenses; open pedagogy; open education; barriers



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AJSTID Article "Exploring the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM): Impact on Innovation Ecosystem in India" by AS Akoijam & VV Krishna

Exploring the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM): Impact on Innovation Ecosystem in India
by Amitkumar Singh Akoijam and V. V. Krishna
African Journal of Science, Technology, Innovation and Development, 2017, DOI: 10.1080/20421338.2017.1359466.


Abstract: To make India one of the leaders in solar energy generation and to promote ecologically sustainable growth that addresses the nation's energy security challenge is one of the promising goals of the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM) or National Solar Mission. This paper presents the country's current solar energy scenario and explores ways in which various actors, agencies and policies shape the mission from the different perspectives on innovation literature. The innovation ecosystem is one of the perspectives where the sense of environment or ecology of various institutions, actors and other factors surrounds the activity of research and innovation. In this ecosystem, there is no single actor that can perform independently. The research outcomes, especially the patents, research publications and R&D investment, have become an increasingly essential area after the announcement of the JNNSM. The study also highlights that the number of research papers published in relation to solar energy has increased and there is a significant presence of productive R&D institutions, universities and supportive policy initiatives in the country.
Keywords: solar energy; innovation ecosystem; sectoral system of innovation; Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission; India.

Friday, August 25, 2017

📢 The UNESCO Courier – 02/2017

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The UNESCO Courier | July - September 2017

WIDE ANGLE

The media: Operation Decontamination

Ethical journalism: back in the news

Aidan White

Fake news: sound bites on a burning topic

Developing a critical mind against fake news

Divina Frau-Meigs

Aftenposten versus Facebook: triggering a crucial debate

Marina Yaloyan with Egil Hansen and Richard Allan

Crowdfunding to save the media

Andrius Tapinas

A beacon, thanks to the internet

Carlos Dada

Investigative Journalism: against the odds

Sanita Jemberga

A lexicon for the digital age

ZOOM

My face, my land

Katerina Markelova and the IDENTITIES project

IDEAS

Humanitude, or how to quench the thirst for humanity

Adama Samassékou

The importance of homegrown stories

John Bewaji

The poet at the heart of society

Tanella Boni

OUR GUEST

Giuseppina Nicolini: "It's natural for an island to be welcoming!"

Interview by Marina Forti

CURRENT AFFAIRS

Dawit Isaak: a symbol of press freedom who must be freed

Nathalie Rothschild

Reconstruction: changing attitudes

Christina Cameron

Early literacy: the key to fluency

Helen Abadzi

Sharing legally and freely for better learning

Cable Green

NEWS

Giving youth a voice!

A new beginning for the UNESCO Courier

Exhibition: countering "everyday" racism

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The Media: Operation Decontamination


Technological, economic and political changes over the last decade have contaminated the global media arena. While the polarization of the media is an invaluable tool for democracy, it also promotes the virality of false, rigged and often toxic editorial content. So are we being informed or manipulated? While fake news looms over real news, the Courier invited journalists and experts from several countries to discuss the problems currently threatening the media.
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Find previous issues

Follow the Hashtag #UNESCOCourier

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Website
Since its creation in 1948, the UNESCO Courier has been spreading an ideal throughout the world: humanity united in its diversity around universal values and fundamental rights, strong in the wealth of its cultures, knowledge and accomplishments
 

 
The UNESCO Courier
7 place de Fontenoy, 75007 Paris, France
courier@unesco.org

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