Industrial Infrastructure
Facilities - Science and Technology Entrepreneur Park
The Science Parks, and similar
initiatives , help in creating an atmosphere for innovation
and entrepreneurship; for active interaction between academic
and industries; for sharing ideas, knowledge, experience
and facilities for the development of new technologies
and their rapid transfer to the end user.
The Science & Technology Entrepreneurs
Park (STEP) programme was initiated to provide a re-orientation
in the approach to innovation and entrepreneurship involving
education, training, research, finance, management and
the government. A STEP creates the necessary climate
for innovation, information exchange, sharing of experience
and facilities and opening new avenues for students,
teachers, researchers and industrial managers to grow
in a trans-disciplinary culture, each understanding
and depending on the other's inputs for starting a successful
economic venture. STEPs are hardware intensive with
emphasis on common facilities, services and relevant
equipments.
The major objectives of STEP
is to forge linkages among academic and R&D institutions
on one hand and the industry on the other and also promote
innovative enterprise through S&T persons.
Objectives
To forge a close linkage between
universities, academic and R&D institutions on
the one hand and industry on the other.
To promote entrepreneurship among
Science and Technology persons, many of whom were
otherwise seeking jobs soon after their graduation.
To provide R&D support to the
small-scale industry mostly through interaction with
research institutions.
To promote innovation based
enterprises.
Facilities and Services Provided
by STEPs
It offers facilities such as Nursery
sheds, Testing and calibration facilities, Precision
tool room/central workshop, prototype development
,Business facilitation ,Computing, Data Bank , Library
and Documentation, Communication , Seminar Hall/Conference
Room , Common facilities such as phone, telex, fax,
Photocopying. It offers services like Testing and
Calibration, Consultancy.
Training Technical support
services, Business Facilitation Services, Database
and documentation services ,Quality Assurance Services
and Common Utility Services.
The department has so far catalysed
15 STEPs in different parts of the country which have
promoted nearly 788 units generating annual turnover of
around Rs. 130 crores and employment for 5000 persons.
More than 100 new products and technologies have been
developed by the STEPs / STEP promoted entrepreneurs.
In addition, over 11000 persons have been trained through
various skill development programmes conducted by STEPs.
Steps are autonomous bodies
registered as societies under the Societies Registration
Act.
Role of Host Institution
In order to achieve synergetic benefits
and also to harness the knowledge and expertise available
in academic and R&D institutions of excellence,
every STEP needs to be promoted around a host institution
which could launch, sustain it and help its growth.
Therefore, the host institution has to play an important
and crucial role in promotion and growth of a STEP.
The host institution should aim at
optimum usage of its facility by STEP. For this purpose,
a periodic assessment of the priorities must be undertaken
based on which re-allocation of resources might become
necessary. During the stages of planning and implementation
of the STEP project, the host institution must not lose
sight of its slated goals and objectives with respect
to academic excellence.
STEP Model
Though a workable 'STEP-Model' has
been evolved by an Expert Committee chaired by the late
Prof. Y. Nayudamma, however, each STEP would have to
carve out a niche for itself with regard to the types
of products to be developed based on the availability
of facilities and expertise in the host institution
and also the industrial climate of the region.
Each project envisages active involvement
and participation of agencies such as the host institution,
ultimate user of the facilities, financial institutions,
government agencies and STEP management.
Procedure for Submission of Project
Proposals
The following steps are required to
be under taken by the host institution willing to set
up a STEP.
a) SWOT analysis for justifying the
need for setting up a STEP
b) Preliminary discussion to identify the thrust area(s)
and other requirements.
c) Preparation of a bankable project report with the
following details.
Brief background of the host institution
Industrial milieu of the region
Need for setting up a STEP
Expertise and facilities available
in the host institution
Thrust areas for STEP
Additional facilities to be created
Other requirements such as staff,
building and other facilities
A PERT chart of activities/targets
with time projection
Capital cost of the project
Likely sources of funding
Recurring expenses for the first
ten years
Projected revenue earnings
for the first ten years.
