Collaborative international research is an essential ingredient to achieve India’s
ambitions in Information Communication Technologies (ICT), both in India and abroad.
Joint EU and Indian ICT initiatives have been a catalyst in addressing many of the
national issues faced by India today such as improving public healthcare infrastructures
and services, and research into climate change. ICTs are a vital tool in tackling
these challenges not just in India but also in the European Union - providing improved
and equitable delivery of services, facilitating complex planning processes and
coordination across sectors, enabling increased information sharing, outreach and
monitoring of key efforts. However, in many cases it is becoming increasingly clear
that ICT policy is impeding the effective delivery of all the potential benefits
of ICT for India’s citizens.
Many Indian experts from enterprise, government, research and non-profit, voluntary
citizens' groups (called non-governmental organisations), believe that policy makers
in India do not fully grasp the potential of ICTs as a platform for development.
They also believe that policy making has yet to bring about a sea change that fosters
widespread innovation in critical areas where ICT can make a real difference. In
the current landscape, alignment between Indian and European Union ICT policy would
mark an important step towards achieving these goals.
Euro-India-SPIRIT is chartered with boosting and improving the impact of European
Union and India Policy Dialogue with regard to joint research activities in ICT.
It achieves this goal by carrying out a comprehensive analysis of Indian ICT research
policy and priorities, which can then be mapped against the European Union’s
ICT research objectives, policies and implementation strategy and thus align their
respective policies. Chaired by Ashok Kar, Infra Technologies, three working groups
will examine Addressing Societal Challenges, Audio Visual Media and Internet, and
Emerging Technologies and e-Infrastructures.
“The Working Groups, composed of renowned experts from India and the European
Union, will highlight opportunities, identify challenges, make recommendations for
alignment of policy instruments, and set out joint action plans to achieve mutually
beneficial technological, economic and societal objectives.” says Ashok Kar
Working Group Chair.
Euro-India SPIRIT Working Groups
* ICT Addressing Societal Challenges – Governance, Public services, Health,
Inclusion, Mobility, Environment, Energy
* AudioVisual Media & Internet
* Emerging Technologies & eInfrastructures