SPI-About

Introduction

Science, Technology and Innovation are the key enablers for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. India’s historical contributions in this field have been quite remarkable. However, challenges and societal problems in the areas like healthcare, technology, climate change, etc., are hampering the country’s growth and development.

Considering the significant role that the academia, practitioners and the scientists has been contributing in this field, Ashoka University, the leading liberal arts and sciences higher education institution, felt the need to reinforce the strategic connect of the academic community with the government and the industry to ensure holistic thought leadership and informed policy-making on India’s science, technology and innovation landscape.

Ashoka has set up a Science Policy Initiative (SPI) in 2019 to facilitate the framing of evidence based policies to address societal problems. Within a thriving culture for expression, research, practical support and thought leadership, Ashoka renders SPI the right environment for policy research and capability building.

SPI is governed by the overarching vision to complement the efforts of the scientific community in India as well as spur innovation and continuous learning into the knowledge ecosystem. It serves as a knowledge hub, initiating discussions on issues, societal problems, concerns, through stakeholders’ consultations and dialogue; and defining the roadmap for future with the help of evidence-based white papers and policy briefs, recommendations and partnerships & collaborations.

Within a thriving culture for expression, research, practical support and thought leadership, Ashoka University renders SPI the right environment for policy research and capability building.

Vision and Objectives

1. Promote data-driven research, policy work and advocacy on India’s science, technology, innovation space.
2. Serve as Ashoka’s nodal policy arm and an effective science & technology resource conduit between the government & industry.
3. Assist in translation of science research, stakeholder consultations and discussions into sound policies through persuasive advocacy.
4. Foster knowledge exchange on science, technology and innovation.
5. Promote quality-driven and evidence-based advanced research in science and technology and interdisciplinary fields.
6. Strengthen academia – R&D initiatives – government – industry engagements and connect.
7. Further research and higher education in science policy as a subject.
8. Strengthen India’s global competitive foothold in science and technology.

Significance to Ashoka

Ashoka University has been striving to achieve excellence in higher education through its well-renowned faculty, world-class infrastructure and by its specialized way of delivering higher education. The Policy Initiative serves as conduit to strengthen Ashoka’s thought leadership, academia-government-industry inter-linkages, persuasive policy advocacy and outreach.