India ranked second last in GIPC’s International Intellectual Property Index

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Global Intellectual Property Center (GIPC) has released its third annual international intellectual property (IP) index list.

In this list India is placed at 29th rank among the 30 countries. While, US has been placed at the top in the list and Thailand at last position.

Key facts

• In this edition of IP Index, India has scored a low 7.23 out of maximum 30 points. While, US topped with score of 28.53 among the 30 countries surveyed, making it the global leader in protecting IP.
• It should be noted that in 2012 and 2014 GIPC Index, India was ranked last in the list, due to deterioration of IP climate in country.
• But in 2015 GIPC Index, India has moved up by 1 position to 29th rank because of steps taken by the Union Government to address the concerns of international community related to the IP rights.

About GIPC’s Intellectual property (IP) index

It was started in 2012 and the first edition compared national IP environment in 11 economies. Now, this index is represented by 30 countries around the world which represents 80 per cent of the world’s gross domestic product (GDP).

It is based upon 30 measurable criteria which includes patent, copyright and trademark protections, enforcement, and engagement in international treaties.

How to improve higher education

CU VCs must guide scholars and students achieve highest standards of academic brilliance, says President

A two-day Conference of Vice Chancellors (VCs) of Central Universities (CUs) concluded on February 5, 2015 at Rashtrapati Bhavan. The VCs adopted a detailed set of recommendations on the five agenda items of the conference, namely (1) steps to create an eco-system for research and innovation; (2) capacity development of faculty, alumni participation and use of technology; (3) deepening engagement of Central Universities with community; (4) creating international and national networks for quality education and (5) adoption of Choice Based Credit System. The recommendation included: 1. Choice Based Credit System must be implemented from the academic year 2015-16 in all CUs. 2. Each CU will set up a Community Development Cell which will identify at least 5 villages in its vicinity for adoption as model villages by the university. 3. A blended Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) strategy must be adopted. 4. CUs must recommend amendment of statutes, to enable induction of alumni in governing bodies, to the Ministry of HRD within next 60 days. 5. Selection of teaching staff must be completed within six months of appointment of Visitor’s nominees. Ministry of HRD must take immediate action to fill up vacancies of Vice Chancellors. 6. All activities towards NAAC accreditation must be completed within 6 months. 7. Database of alumni must be established by CUs within the next 3 months. 8. Each CU must nominate a nodal officer to feed the university’s needs and activities and share good practices and experiences on to the CU VC’s Discussion Page on the University of Hyderabad website. 9. Nodal officers for international rankings must be appointed within next 30 days in each CU. 10. Proposals to UGC for creation of centres of excellence must be sent within next 60 days. 11. CUs who are yet to establish Innovation clubs must do so within 60 days. 12. CUs who are yet to set up Inspired Teachers’ Network, must do so within next 30 days. 13. Industry-interface cells in CUs must be completed within next 3 months. Addressing the concluding session, the President told Vice Chancellors that they must act as “gurus” and guide scholars and students to achieve the highest standards of academic brilliance. They should feel empowered and use the administrative and moral authority vested in them to make these universities “islands” radiating excellence in their spheres of influence. The President invited one Inspired Teacher from each Central University to experience and be part of the Rashtrapati Bhavan community for a week under a new programme on the model of the Artists In-Residence and Innovation Scholars In-Residence programme. He also requested Central Universities to send representatives to participate in the one week long “Festival of Innovation” (FOIN) proposed to be held in Rashtrapati Bhavan in March, 2015. The President called on MHRD, UGC and the VCs to implement the recommendations of the conference in a time bound manner and said the Minister of HRD will take a meeting in June, 2015 to review achievement of deliverables. The concluding session was attended by Union Minister of Human Resource Development, Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani.

Dr.M.O. Garg assumes charge as Director general of Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR)

Director, CSIR-Indian Institute of Petroleum (CSIR-IIP), Dehradun, Dr. M.O. Garg, has assumed charge as the Director General of the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR). Dr. Garg, an outstanding chemical engineer, has contributed significantly in bringing together CSIR and the petroleum industry with a focus on indigenization of core technologies in this area of strategic importance to the country. His recent success in spearheading commercialization of technology for recovery of pure benzene from FCC gasoline in a large private refinery in India against all odds including severe international competition is seen as an example for others to follow.             Born on 17th September, 1954, Dr Garg is gold medalist of Nagpur University in B.Tech (Chemical Engineering). He is M.Tech from IIT Kanpur. He completed his Ph.D. from University of Melbourne, Australia, in the area of solvent extraction. On returning to India, he joined Engineers India Limited where he used his expertise to develop and commercialize large number of technologies related to solvent extraction in the refining and petrochemical industry.

Awards for ‘Best University’, ‘Innovation’ and ‘Research’ presented by the President

Visitor’s Awards for ‘Best University’, ‘Innovation’ and ‘Research’ presented by the President of India at Rashtrapati Bhavan

The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee presented Visitor’s Awards for Central Universities in the categories of ‘Best University’, ‘Innovation’ and ‘Research’ for the year 2015 at a function held at Rashtrapati Bhavan yesterday (February 4, 2015). The University of Hyderabad received ‘Best University’ Award for academic excellence & overall outstanding work. ‘Innovation’ Award was presented to Prof. Vijay K. Chaudhary and Dr. Amita Gupta of University of Delhi for their invention of ‘TB Confirm’, a rapid diagnostic test for Tuberculosis. The ‘Research’ Award was received by Cosmology and Astrophysics Research Group, Centre for Theoretical Physics, Jamia Millia Islamia for path breaking research carried out in the field of Astrophysics and Cosmology. The Research Group comprises of Jamia Millia Islamia faculty - Prof. M. Sami, Prof. Sushant G. Ghosh, Prof. Sanjay Jhingan & Prof. Anjan Ananda Sen. The ‘Best University’ received a Citation and Trophy while winners of Visitor’s Award for ‘Innovation’ and ‘Research’ received a Citation and cash award of Rs. one lakh. L.C. Goyal appointed as Home Secretary The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the appointment of Shri L.C. Goyal, IAS (KL:79) Secretary, Department of Rural Development, Ministry of Rural Development as Home Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs for a period of two years from the date of taking over charge as Home Secretary vice Shri Anil Goswami, IAS (JK:78).  The ACC has also approved the acceptance of the request of Shri Anil Goswami, Home Secretary for voluntarily retiring from service with immediate effect by waiving the notice period. The term of Shri Goswami as Home Secretary stands curtailed with immediate effect.

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Jan Aushadhi: Government's low cost generic drugs from July 1

From July 1, you can walk up to a chemist and ask for a 'Jan Aushadhi' brand for your medicine, with the government set to launch its own brand to sell low cost generic medicines.

The Centre will procure medicines in bulk from public as well as private drug manufacturing firms and rebrand them under 'Jan Aushadhi'. These will be sold in the retail market at a competitive price, allowing consumers to buy a cheaper yet quality product from the government, official sources said.

To start with, the government has identified 504 essential medicines, which include antibiotics, painkillers, vitamins and medicines used in treatment of cardiovascular, respiratory, diabetes and gastroenterology diseases. "In the first phase, we have mostly identified medicines from the top 100 drugs based on their sales. More medicines as well as medical devices will be included in the second phase," an official in the know of developments told TOI.

In the first phase, these drugs will be made available to 800 select chemists, mostly across Delhi. However, the government plans to expand the reach to most metros by the end of the year.

The Bureau of Pharma Public Sector Undertakings of India (BPPI), the nodal agency under the department of pharmaceuticals (DoP) for implementing this project, has already floated the tender seeking application for supply of medicines for the programme.

The Indian pharmaceutical retail market, pegged at Rs 87,000 crore annually, is dominated by branded generic products, unlike developed markets like the US and Europe. In other words, while there are very few patented medicines sold in India, most of the medicines available in the market are branded products sold by private firms.

Pharmaceutical firms spend huge amounts in creating these brands. However, since prescription-based medicines cannot be promoted through advertisements, companies often push these brands through doctors and chemists. Consumers, who are often unable to make an informed choice for purchasing medicines, have to rely on the doctor's prescription or on chemists. The government's latest move providing an umbrella brand for generic drugs is aimed at enabling consumers to make that choice.

However, there are concerns on whether the government will be able to maintain and monitor quality of all products sold under this brand since they will be procured from different firms. Government officials say procurement norms and sampling will ensure quality control.

The government, along with BPPI, has held consultations with various stakeholders including pharmaceutical firms to ensure there is regular and adequate supply of medicines. The proposal has also been vetted by the doctor fraternity, bringing on board the Medical Council of India as well as the Indian Medical Association to ensure doctors prescribe Jan Aushadhi drugs.

"Initially, the government had apprehensions that doctors would not support such a move because it may hurt the private sector. However, we have ensured them full support if the quality of products is maintained," IMA secretary general K K Aggarwal said. Once the brand is rolled out, the government also plans to make it mandatory for public hospitals to prescribe it wherever possible, an official said.

10 reasons why happy people set better goals

Understanding the importance of goal setting and knowing how to set goals for yourself is crucial to accomplishing great things in your life. 

It is an empowering way to create the life you want and desire, instead of relying on external events and circumstances. Here are 10 characteristics of happy people that help them become better goal-setters:

1. PRIORITISING HAPPINESS
Happy people know that life is more about appreciating the journey, and not worrying about getting to a destination. While they may have big plans in the works, they also take time out to appreciate the present moment and all the good things they presently possess in life. This appreciation for life in turn inspires them and gives them the positive energy to continue achieving their goals. As the saying goes, success does not bring happiness; happiness brings success.

2. SEEING BEYOND SUCCESS AND FAILURE
Happy people know that there's really no such thing as a complete failure -even when things don't go as planned, they appreciate the opportunity for self-growth, the experience gained and the lessons learnt.

3. NOT COMPROMISING SELF-WORTH
Happy people find themselves to be complete and don't measure success and self worth by the house they own, the career they've picked or any other external goals. They understand that while following their dreams is a worthwhile endeavour, it's secondary to their primary objective in life -to grow into their authentic selves, love more and cherish each day as it comes.

4. LIVING BY YOUR OWN RULES
Happy people are driven to lead a life that's true to themselves.They rise above the pressure to conform to social norms or expectations of family and friends. They understand they have a unique gift to offer to the world, and that when they design a life that agrees with their soul, and feels like a natural extension of who they believe themselves to be.

5. BEING OPTIMISTIC ABOUT GOALS
Most people know deep down what they want in life. Some don't end up pursuing it because they're convinced that it won't work and that they don't have it in them to achieve it. Happy people understand the importance of believing in their goals, and they fill their minds with all of the reasons why it can work out and why they are worthy of attaining success.

6. NOT BLAMING CIRCUMSTANCES
Happy people realise that life can change quickly and sporadically and that significant change is entirely possible. They also understand that by following their passion, the right people, circumstances and opportunities will gravitate towards them. They's not focussed on all the steps needed to achieve their goals-they're just dead sure of the end result they hope to achieve, and work towards it.

7. HAPPY TO ACCEPT HELP
Happy people embrace a level of vulnerability and openness in their lives. This also makes them more than willing to accept help and support when they need it. They accept the fact that they can't always do everything on their own, and that it's fine to own up to it.

8. BEING OPEN-MINDED
Happy people know that they want to seek fulfilment by achieving their goals. They are also well aware that this fulfilment can come to them in many ways. They may set their sights on a particular career, partner or lifestyle, but they are also open-minded enough to spot alternatives that come their way which would also provide the same feeling of fulfilment.

9. NEVER FORGETTING YOUR GOALS
Happy people know the importance of being an active creator of their life, rather than a victim of circumstance. For this reason, they prioritise their goals and use them as a compass or guide on a regular basis.

10. LIVING IN THE MOMENT
Happy people strike a healthy balance between making plans for the future and visualising their dream life, and taking action in the present moment. They understand that being focused and taking action today can improve their tomorrow.