ISA unveils a new Initiative

By siliconindia staff writer   |   Friday, 07 January 2005, 20:30 IST
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BANGALORE: With a view to institutionalise patent awareness amongst Indian Universities to fuel technology innovations; generate world class talent by promoting higher education and research in the semiconductor technology and related areas, the India Semiconducters Association has unveiled the 'ISA Technovation Initiative'. Components of the new initiative are: ‘Patent-Fabric’ which would focus on converting innovative ideas from Indian universities into patents. This would be achieved by educating universities on intellectual property and by providing subsidised legal assistance for filing patents in India and in the US. ‘ISA-Technnovation Shield’ which would be awarded annually to top five university students in the country with outstanding performance in technology innovation. ‘ISA-Technnowhizkids of the Year, awarded to 5 school children who emerge victorious in a nationwide contest on ‘innovative thinking’. Life Time Achievement Award for Technnovation’ which would be awarded to a distinguished academician/researcher for significant contribution to technology innovation. ‘ISA PhD Fellowships’ which will be an incentive program to support top talent to pursue research in the country. Commenting on the new initiative, Rajendra Khare, Managing Director, Broadcom India and Chairman, ISA, said,” The two-decade-old Indian semiconductor industry is morphing itself into playing a more significant global role and the time is absolutely ripe for a comprehensive initiative like this. With this initiative we intend to institutionalise patent awareness amongst Indian Universities thus fueling technology innovations; generate world class talent by promoting higher education and research in the semiconductor technology and related areas; create an eco-system around the universities in India; promote entrepreneurial ventures through patented research and finally shape a robust and dynamic technology vision for the Indian semiconductor industry.” Elaborating further, Dr, Anand Anandkumar, Managing Director, Magma Design Automation India and Vice-chairman, ISA, said,” We are partnering with leading law firms, technology venture funds and assessment agencies for detailed execution of the plan. ISA would actively invite and encourage its member companies to sponsor various components of the ISA Technnovation Initiative, adding,” the “ISA Technnovation Initiative” builds on the tremendous momentum generated by its launch event in November 2004.” The association also announced 'it is extending presence to the Eastern part of the country with the active involvement of companies such as Interra Systems besides renowned academic institutions like IIT-Kharagpur, Jadhavpur University, Bengal Engineering College and ISI. ISA would also be holding an event tomorrow which would have - presentation on the “ISA Technnovation Initiative”, address by Dr.Vinod Aggarwal, Chief Advisor, ISA and Chairman, LogicVision Inc., US, talks by the Principal Secretary-IT, Govt. Of WB and The Hon’ble Minister for IT, Govt. of WB. There would also be presentation by IIT-Kharagpur on a unique manufacturing project attempted by them.