Many articles on this page are linked from specific points on the Bangalore map. A quick table of contents:

The following essays were created by Jessica Salo.

IT Education in Bangalore

According to Saudi Aramco World, Bangalore's high elevation and cool temperatures made it an ideal location for universities and electronic industry alike. But, the "establishments of premier research institutes" including Bangalore University and Indian Institute of Science have given Bangalore a "scientific temper," according to S. S. Peeran, an administrative recruiter for the state of Karnataka1. Included in that "scientific temper" is a high emphasis on mathematics and science in the higher education system. "The emphasis of the education system here helps prepare many young English-speaking graduates for a career in the computer software industry," says Yogendra Singh of Tata Information Systems.2 Producing graduates with IT backgrounds seems to be the main role of universities in Bangalore's IT development. According to industry analysts the large amount of graduates in computer science and technology from research institutes in Bangalore and their request for relatively lower wages make Bangalore an ideal place for many IT firms to move.3 Although there are a "handful" of world class universities in Bangalore, the NASSCOM and McKinsey report of 2005 states that graduates from these institutions are at a disadvantage in the IT sector because they are not fluent in Spanish, French or Japanese4.

As far as research is concerned, Cristina Chaminade, Lars Coenen and Jan Vang from CIRCLE (Center for Innovation, Research and Competence in the Learning Economy) at Lund University in Sweden state that interactive learning with universities, with a few exceptions is relatively low. The exceptions include the Indian Institute of Information Technologies hosting of research labs for companies like Intel and HP. The top five local IT service firms according to CIRCLE, three do collaborate with Universities in Bangalore. TCS (Tata Consultancy Services) with Indian Institute of Science, Infosys with Indian Institute of Information Technology Bangalore, and Wipro with the Institute of Bioinformatics. While there is some important spillover in research, due to an under investment in research facilities these same firms are opting to build their own training centers in Bangalore as well. It is also noted that research at many of these institutions is basic and does not play a premier role in research or innovation for the firms4.

1 Yasmin Mahmood (1997, Dec). "India's Silicon City." Saudi Aramco World. Document Link

2 Leung, James (1996, June). Brains fuel technology: Boom town. Asian Business, 32(6), 28. Retrieved January 10, 2008, from ABI/INFORM Global database. (Document ID: 9737549). Document Link

3 Leung, James (1996, June). Brains fuel technology: Boom town. Asian Business, 32(6), 28. Retrieved January 10, 2008, from ABI/INFORM Global database. (Document ID: 9737549). Document Link

4 Chaminate, Cristina, Lars Coenen, and Jan Vang, "Learning from the Bangalore Experience: The Role of Universities in an Emerging Regional Innovation System." Lund, Sweden: Circle Electronic Working Paper Series, 2007. Document Link

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Economic Policy: Five Year Plans and Special Economic Zones

India's Third Five Year Plan's (1961-1966) major focus was on agriculture. Along with agriculture as the primary focus, were the issues of regional development and economic growth. While India's Third Five Year Plan was in progress, there were several factors causing severe strain on the economy including the Sino-Indian War (1962) and armed conflict with Pakistan which switched priority towards defense spending. Between 1965 and 1974 (into the Fourth Five Year Plan), there were shifts in policy to encourage economic growth including some relaxations of controls in the private sector to encourage growth to impact the economy, as the Indian economy was mostly influenced by the public sector. Although these liberalizations were being put into place, by the 1980's India still had a one of the most restrictive economies in the world, including severe controls on imports and exports.

By the 1990's, economic liberalization began as a way to rejuvenate the economy. Liberalization had three main economic reforms; privatization, foreign direct investment and trade liberalization. During the software industry boom, India was seen as a desirable place to outsource, do to its large population of cheap, highly skilled labor. By April 2000, the SEZ Act was announced, in May 2005, the act was passed by Parliament. The India Planning Commission states the main objectives of the SEZ Act are:

  1. Generation of economic activity
  2. Promotions of exports of goods and services
  3. Promotion of investment from foreign and domestic sources
  4. Creation of employment opportunities
  5. Development of infrastructure facilities

In reference to the SEZ Act and it's objectives, the India Planning Commission states, "It is expected that this will trigger a large flow of foreign and domestic investment in SEZs, in infrastructure and productive capacity, leading to generation of additional economic activity and creation of employment opportunities." With these main objectives are major tax exemptions for foreign corporations who invest and work in India's SEZs. Other incentives are lenient laws in real estate and bank investing. The India Planning Commission states that Indian SEZs have generated enormous interest, including from companies like Nokia and DELL.

With the development of SEZs in India, the issue of regional development is addressed, which was also mentioned in the Third Five Year Plan. One of the stated objectives of the SEZ Act, creation of employment opportunities, is also mentioned in the Third Plan, although its major emphasis was put on the Fifth Five Year plan. From the Third Plan on, there is a gradual move towards a more liberalized economy, as a way to increase economic growth, with the eventual passing of the SEZ Act in 2005, which the India Planning Commission states, "The overwhelming response to the SEZ scheme is evident from the flow of investment and creation of additional employment in the country. The SEZ scheme has generated tremendous response amongst the investors, both in India and abroad."

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Sustainability and Green-Building in India

Claiming to be the first eco-friendly IT building in India is the Technopoilis built by Phoenix Software Limited in 2006. Cisco systems is announcing it's sustainability plan in which cut down on energy waste used by their building and used by their products. ITC Limited in India built the ITC Centre in Gurgaon and also published a sustainability report in 2006. Sun Microsystems India also boasts promoting a "sustainable global community" on its web-site. While it seems that multi national corporations are stepping up their game to meet LEED standards and, it should not be forgotten that these IT corporations and also other multinationals like Ford Motors India and Coca-Cola India (both of whom advertise their sustainability plans/standards on the web) are still in the business to make a profit. "The link between sustainability and commercial success is, without doubt, becoming clearer all the time. Our own sustainability performance is helping us win deals, create new offerings and build enthusiasm amongst our workforce." Francois Barrault, CEO of Global Services stated in October of 2007. While the sustainability "trend" has hit the west, many multinational corporations are sure the trend will begin to hit the east, including in India, and are no doubt acting accordingly. Interestingly enough, also in October 2007, GoodCleanTech.com accused the Antilla building project in Mumbai of "green washing," perhaps in response to the growing trend? Also, an interesting point from Biztech2 India: "One third (33%) of respondents admitted that their company only makes sustainability efforts in markets where it is perceived to have an impact on customers' perceptions of the firm, and a similar proportion (31%) admitted that their company's sustainability efforts mostly centre on communication, rather than actual change." (I linked this article below).

The Hindu Business Line (HBL) stated, "In India, the green building movement, spearheaded by CII-Godrej Green Business Centre, has gained tremendous impetus over the last few years. From 20,000 sq ft in 2003, India's green footprint is now over 25 million sq ft." HBL also names Wipro Technologies as a corporation who had begun participating in green building in India.

Interesting links:

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National Policies on Science and Technology Education

Government of India's Science Policy Resolution to the Parliament, 1958: (source)

  • To foster, promote, and sustain, by all appropriate means, the cultivation of science, and scientific research in all its aspects - pure, applied, and educational;
  • To ensure an adequate supply, within the country, of research scientists of the highest quality, and to recognize their work as an important component of the strength of the nation;
  • To encourage, and initiate, with all possible speed, programmes for the training of scientific and technical personnel, on a scale adequate to fulfil the country's needs in science and education, agriculture and industry, and defence; to ensure that the creative talent of men and women is encouraged and finds full scope in scientific activity;
  • To encourage individual initiative for the acquisition and dissemination of knowledge, and for the discovery of new knowledge, in an atmosphere of academic freedom; and, in general, to secure for the people of the country all the benefits that can accrue from the acquisition and application of scientific knowledge.

National Policy of Education 1968: (source)

  • Science Education and Research: With a view to accelerating the growth of the national economy, science education and research should receive high priority. Science and mathematics should be an integral part of general education till the end of the school stage.

National Policy on Education, 1986: (source)

  • 5.31 Provision will be made for minimum facilities and admission will be regulated according to capacity. A major effort will be directed towards the transformation of teaching methods. Audio-visual aids and electronic equipment will be introduced; development of science and technology curricula and material, research, and teacher orientation will receive attention. This will require preparation of teachers at the beginning of the service as well as continuing education thereafter. Teachers' performance will be systematically assessed. All posts will be filled on the basis of merit.
  • 5.32 Research in the universities will be provided enhanced support and steps will be taken to ensure its high quality. Suitable mechanisms will be set up by the UGC for coordinating research in the universities, particularly in thrust areas of science and technology, with research undertaken by other agencies. An effort will be made to encourage the setting up of national research facilities within the university system, with proper forms of autonomous management.

Science and Technology Policy 2003: (source)

  • To vigorously foster scientific research in universities and other academic, scientific and engineering institutions; and attract the brightest young persons to careers in science and technology, by conveying a sense of excitement concerning the advancing frontiers, and by creating suitable employment opportunities for them. Also to build and maintain centres of excellence, which will raise the level of work in selected areas to the highest international standards.
  • To provide necessary autonomy and freedom of functioning for all academic and R&D institutions so that an ambience for truly creative work is encouraged, while ensuring at the same time that the science and technology enterprise in the country is fully committed to its social responsibilities and commitments.
  • To encourage research and innovation in areas of relevance for the economy and society, particularly by promoting close and productive interaction between private and public institutions in science and technology. Sectors such as agriculture (particularly soil and water management, human and animal nutrition, fisheries), water, health, education, industry, energy including renewable energy, communication and transportation would be accorded highest priority. Key leverage technologies such as information technology, biotechnology and materials science and technology would be given special importance.
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