India as a rising power in science and technology

The Asia Research Centre invites to a guest lecture  

by Professor Govindan Parayil, University of Oslo

Topic:

India as a rising power in science and technology - Some critical reflections

India is touted as a rising ‘superpower’ in science and technology. India’s recent impressive economic growth is attributed to science, technology and innovation-led development in industries such as IT and pharmaceuticals. My talk will first look at the historical evolution of Indian science and its current status and its future trajectory in order to analyze the link between science, social change and development. Can economic growth prevail in the absence of a well-articulated science, technology and innovation system? How can science and innovation prevail without broad-based and inclusive education as well as the diffusion of scientific literacy and ethos in India? Would an instrumentalist approach that sees science and technology as mere tools for economic expansion create the foundation for India becoming a scientific superpower? What happened to India’s first Prime Minister Nehru’s dream of ‘science and industry’ and the ‘critical temper of science’ turning India into a modern secular nation?

Govindan Parayil, an Indian national, is Professor of Science, Technology and Innovation at the Centre for Technology, Innovation and Culture, University of Oslo. Before moving to Oslo in 2004, he taught at universities in Singapore, Hong Kong and the United States. He authored Conceptualizing Technological Change (1999) and edited Political Economy and Information Capitalism in India (2006), Kerala: The Development Experience (2000), and The Asian Innovation Dynamics: China and India in Perspective (with Anthony D'Costa, 2008, forthcoming). He has also published over thirty articles in international refereed journals.

Attendance

Free of charge, but confirmation of attendance would be highly appreciated. If possible, please mail to arc.int@cbs.dk