Call for Papers !

Dear Sir or Madam,

The global expansion of economic markets has been accompanied by two important trends in world affairs: first, a parallel expansion in global-scale technological systems that provide the infrastructural foundation for market activity, transportation, communication, energy, manufacturing and engineering; and second, a proliferation of security, health, and environmental concerns that are closely coupled to the transformation of global technologies, as well as frequently to one another, and that raise important and complex questions for international governance. On the basis of a categorisation of ways in which the generated knowledge is transmitted, this seminar explores the impact of the different forms of the globalisation of technology on developing countries like India. Through travelling, media, scientific and technical workshops, seminars and conferences, Internet and many other communication channels, globalisation allows the transmission of knowledge at a much greater pace than in the past. However, this does not automatically imply that developing countries succeed to benefit from technological advances. On the contrary, this will strongly rely on the nature of the technology and of the policies implemented in both advanced and developing countries.

Against this backdrop the AFSET is organizing a one day Seminar on: "Implications of Globalisation of Technology and Technological Change" on March 06, 2006. Its main objective is to discuss the issues in a dispassionate manner and identify the areas which should be the focus of future research and policy. Background information and proposed themes please see Seminar Conceptus.

We intend to involve academicians, technocrats, policy makers, people in-charge of various branches of engineering and technology, international organizations and NGOs in the proceedings of the seminar.

In view of your expertise, I, on behalf of the organizing committee, solicit your participation in the seminar. Kindly spare some of your precious time and contribute a paper on any proposed themes.

Looking forward for your positive response.

With Warm regards,

Yours truly,

Brajesh Kumar, Ph.D.

This seminar is organised to seek answers on following:

• Reassess the concept of technology: (This will inform us on basic paradigms of technology, since we believe that this is particularly important to design appropriate strategies and policies.)
• Taxonomy on the different forms that the globalisation of technology can take: (This will help us in measuring the significance of globalisation and assess the various strategies undertaken by governments and firms.)
• To what extent developing countries are taking part in the globalisation of technology and technological changes: (Although the evidence available is still unsatisfactory, it clearly emerges that the bulk of technological activities is produced in and exchanged among the most advanced countries.)
• Discuss the advantages and the disadvantages of the strategies available to India to bridge the technology gap, and to integrate themselves among the more innovative and dynamic nations.