Globalization of R&D: Trends of Foreign ICT and Biotechnology Firms in India and China

Speaker:  Swapan Kumar Patra, PhD Candidate, CSSP, SSS

Venue:  Committee Room, JNU Central Library

Date and Time: 22nd September 2012 (Saturday), 4:00 pm

Abstract: 

It is generally observed that Multinational Enterprises (MNEs) usually confined their Research and Development (R&D) at their home base. R&D in offshore location is the least prefer activity by MNEs. However, since early 1980’s, MNEs of Europe and USA were accessing R&D capabilities of other developed countries to augment the R&D infrastructure as well as R&D manpower. A new dimension is emerging with the present wave of globalization is MNEs from developed countries establishing their R&D units in developing countries, particularly in India and China. The phenomenon offers interesting research problem for innovation system studies to examine the process of transformation from much discussed ‘National Innovation System’ to a ‘Globalized Innovation System’. This presentation explores argues, that internationalization of R&D in these two countries have transformed into ‘globalization of R&D’ and innovation.

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Gene to Behaviour

Speaker: Akhil Varshney, PhD submitted, School of Life Sciences

Venue:  Committee Room, Central Library, JNU                   Date: 27/08/2012

Abstract:

Gene is the unit of genetic material which is transferred from an organism to its offspring. Behaviour is the range of actions and mannerisms made by organisms in conjunction with their environment, which includes organisms around as well as the physical environment. It is the response of the organism to various internal and external stimuli or inputs. Although it is well known that behaviour is dependent on genetic backup of an organism but the relationship between genes and behaviour is very complex. It is well stated that ‘all of our behaviours (and those of animals) are gene-dependent, but no behaviour is gene-determined’. So in the talk it will be discussed what is gene, how it works and how it influence the behaviour of an organism.

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Dynamics of Political Economy

Abstract:

This is an attempt to review the “Political Business Cycle” story of more than 35 years of last quarter of 20th century, where we look through various theoretical as well as empirical analysis of it. The whole idea of the paper is concentrated on manipulations of Monetary and Fiscal Policies by politicians in different ways for their benefit. Lastly, I will talk about my ideas and possible progress of my research with opportunistic government in the presence of rational citizen-voters.

Speaker: Ganesh Manjhi, P.hD, CITD/SIS

Venue: Committee Room, School of Life Sciences

Date and Time: 19th May 2012, 3:00 pm

2-Mathematical Puzzles

Abstract: This is more of a mathematical workshop rather than a lecture; here we will uncover simplicity of modern, most widely used numbers for which Laplace said-

“The ingenious method of expressing every possible number … emerged in India. The idea seems so simple nowadays that its significance and profound importance is no longer appreciated. Its simplicity lies in the way it facilitated calculation and placed arithmetic foremost amongst useful inventions. The importance of this invention is more readily appreciated when one considers that it was beyond the two greatest men of Antiquity, Archimedes and Apollonius.”

It would be an attempt to understand what simplicity was that and how this understanding can help us solving these puzzles.

Speaker: Kapil

Venue: Committee Room, School of Languages, JNU, New Delhi .

Date and Time: 21st April 2012, 3:00 pm

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A Non-traditional Understanding of God -Issues and Problems

Speaker:  Varun Sharma, MPhill, Center of Philosophy, SSS
Venue:  Committee Room, SLS, JNU
Date and Time: 7 April, 2012, 3:00 pm 

Abstract:

God has been traditionally conceived as an omniscient, omnipotent and omnificent being. Belief in a divine Creator, Protector and Lawgiver has been prevalent across cultures and continents since times immemorial. Traditional approaches to religion tend to trivialize the issue of the origin of 'God' as a concept, and instead proceed to expound and argue about the concept i.e. God itself. The problem of God however cannot be dealt with by ignoring its roots. This necessitates an acquaintance with alternative approaches to God and religion which focus on wherefrom these concepts have arisen rather than to where they lead.

The paper presents the views of some thinkers who tried to look at 'GOD' not as something that is 'given', but something that has duly evolved. God for them is not something that has always been there and will be and therefore beyond human comprehension. On the contrary, they view God as a very human phenomenon and therefore something that has an explanation.

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