Synchroniser aims at boosting the impact of EU-India ICT policy level decisions by communicating the recommendations and innovative ideas of researchers and stakeholders to policy makers and disseminating the outcomes of policy dialogues to the ICT communities of both the regions.
Synchroniser Project commenced in January 2010 which is supported and financed by the European Commission through its Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development, FP7. The Ministry of Information Technology, Government of India has also extended full support to this initiative.
Synchroniser project has come into being with a broad objective of strengthening the international dimension of EU-India ICT research programme. Synchroniser is the pioneer project born to impact the trans-national policy dialogue between India and EU. Within this objective it endeavors to heighten the impact of the ICT policy by involving the scientific research community, industry, academia inputs through an expert committee called the Synchroniser Steering Committee. Furthermore, Synchroniser provides thrust to the ICT research priorities by identifying and proposing co-funding initiatives in ICT research area. One of its major objectives is to conduct a foresight exercise to identify long term future perspectives in ICT which influences the policy and provides future direction for the relevant actors to orient their actions accordingly.
Two key objectives of Synchroniser include:
- Contribution to the establishment of converging S&T priorities between the EU and India and to coordinated initiatives (such as joint calls for proposals);
- facilitate the inclusion of identified Indian ICT industry and stakeholders priorities in the EU-India framework for collaboration in ICT research;
Planned Synchroniser activities over the period 2010 & 2013 involve:
- Identification of joint ICT policy and research priorities and providing input in the form of recommendations to the annual EU-India Joint Working Group (JWG) Meeting on Information Society by organization brainstorming discussions amongst identified scientific and research experts of both regions.
- Identification of matching co-funding opportunities and long term research priorities in India by conducting interviews with identified visionaries.
- Organization of cooperation events in India and Europe synchronised whenever possible with policy dialogue meetings, to disseminate policy outcomes.
- Development of synergies with dialogues and activities launched under EU-funded programmes both at EU-India and EU-ASEAN level (EuroIndia SPIRIT, India Gate, EUINEC, SEACOOP, EU-SEA-NET) to enhance research participation in the Framework Programme
- Development of promotion, dissemination and awareness-raising activities to increase the scope and impact of the project outcome.
One of the main expected outputs of Synchronizer activities is a strengthened development of concrete cooperation initiatives in ICT research, namely under FP7.
The Synchroniser partnership is coordinated by TESEO, an organization based on Brussels and co-coordinated in India by EIRC Consulting Pvt Ltd, Bangalore, both organizations devoted to supporting collaborative research in ICT. Other partners include organisations playing a key role in ICT policy and research in EU and India respectively.
1) Technical Support for European Organizations (TESEO)
TESEO is a Brussels based consultancy established in 1991 specialised in EU policies and programmes in research and innovation, and assisting clients throughout the project cycle: from conception, to submission, implementation and management.
TESEO’s track record of more than 40 successful projects since the Fourth Framework Programme for Research & Development covers key priorities like ICT, international cooperation, Food, Energy, Environment, Health, Science in Society, Social Sciences and the Humanities, Security, as well as other main EU funding programmes: Intelligent Energy Europe, eContent, Media, Asia Invest, eTEN, etc.
Over the years, TESEO has further specialised in international cooperation capacity building and support to policies in research and innovation with India and Latin America, aiming to boosting the participation of public and private organisations, industries, universities in European research projects and initiatives.
Key personnel in charge of SYNCHRONISER
Mr. Mauro Bianchi holds a degree in Political Science from the “Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore” of Milan (Italy) and a Masters in European Studies from ULB of Brussels (Belgium). He lectured for three years on European Policies at the Faculty of Law of the Groningen University (The Netherlands.)
Mauro has always dealt professionally with EU-related affairs and built his network since its first position as assistant at the European Parliament in 1988. Afterwards he moved onto PriceWaterhouseCoopers in Brussels as the person in front of international clients lobbying the European institutions, and finally founded TESEO in 1991.
Over the years Mauro has developed extensive experience in EU funding programmes to R&D and innovation, to audiovisual production and the media, as well as to support SMEs. In his capacity of trainer he has been in charge of setting up training courses and programmes on EU affairs with major European universities.
In his personal capacity he represented RAI (the Italian national broadcasting company), Rizzoli-Corriere della Sera publishing group as well as several European Industry Associations.
Mauro is the managing director of TESEO and the major partner of MINERVA C&C, a Belgian communication agency fully dedicated to the promotion and dissemination of research projects results. He is also partner of EU MENTIS, a consultancy based in Turin (Italy), and he is the founder of the Euro-India Research Centre based in Bangalore (India.) Mauro has directed and supervised most of the projects TESEO and MINERVA have developed in the last 20 years.
Ms. Katja Legisa holds a Public Relation degree, from University of Gorizia, Trieste (Italy). She is currently working for TESEO Sprl as Project Manager on EU Projects since 2004. She was managing India Mentor project and is in charge of all the company activities related to India. She is also involved in the negotiation of various projects. At the same time she was responsible for the company's activities in the Secure Force project, which is an ETI for pro active intelligence and support programme in order to stimulate European SMEs faced with research issues in the field of ICT security. She was also involved in the Transfer-east project, with the activities of transferring government to business IST Good practices to Easter European New member States. Her perseverance and decision-making attitude, emerging always when needed, are the strong points of her unique temper. Katja is fluent is Slovenian (mother tongue), Italian, English, French and Russian.
2) Euro India Research Centre (EIRC)
EIRC Consulting Private Limited (EIRC) is a research and management consulting firm based in Bangalore. EIRC’s main activity is to assist European and India collaboration and partnerships in research and technological development on European Union’s Framework programmes, national programmes and regional programmes. EIRC provides comprehensive training and consulting services to Indian and European researcher organizations & establishes linkages through its online EuroIndiaResearch portal which acts as a gateway for European Funding in research and development. EIRC has assisted many of successful Indian organizations in Framework Programme. EIRC’s team is composed of consultants with both general and technical knowledge of catering and contracting services for specific industry niches. The mission of EIRC is to drive research and innovation, achieved by defining work at the frontier of science and technology, through the realization of an effective collaboration among the leading Indian and European research organizations.
Key personnel in charge of SYNCHRONISER
Ms. Surbhi Sharma is a successful entrepreneur who ventured into the entrepreneur world immediately after her college in 1995 and started Resource Management Group (RMG) in 1997 to cater to the needs of Technology firms’ internationalization goals. In the process she acquired valuable experience and had the right opportunities to explore various international markets, technology platforms, and an insight to how the Tech sector functions. In order to broaden the reach of the organisation to serve many more SMEs, she has initiated a Non Profit Organization ITSMA in the year 2001. The motivation behind this thought process was Surbhi’s early exposure to diverse development programs with both Indian and International groups such as Rotract Club, OPIRG (Ontario Public Interest Research Group) and McMaster University, Hamilton. Ansted University, Malaysia which was impressed by her capabilities conferred her as the Advisory Board member. She is the Director of EIRC Consulting Private Limited (EIRC) & has participated in European Union funded projects and has a vast experience in assisting European clients to have their setup in India. Surbhi is on the Advisory Board of many companies. She has been appointed the Honorary Consul of Spain. Surbhi also has the distinction of being appointed as the Advisory board member of the European Business and Trade Centre.
Ms. Sourabha Rani holds a Bachelor of Engineering degree in ‘Industrial Engineering and Management’ from the Siddaganga Institute of Technology, Karnataka. She started her professional career at the prestigious Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore as a Project Associate in 2003. She worked for 4 National and 2 European projects at the IISc. During her tenure at IISc, she has been instrumental in organizing European Commission’s Framework Programme workshops in various major cities in India. Ms. Sourabha has over 6 years experience in research data analysis. She is presently a Project Manager at ITSMA, Bangalore. She has successfully managed several European Commission projects during her 3 years at ITSMA. Sourabha is well-versed in project implementation, proposal writing, and financial reporting for the Framework Programme projects. She is trained in organizing delegation visits and workshops.
3) ROSE Vision, S.L. (ROSE)
ROSE Vision, S.L. is an SME company created early 1999 to develop ICT's engineering projects in the areas of SAT/COM & Terrestrial wireless data transmission, broadcasting and multimedia technologies.
ROSE is, and has been involved from the very beginning of its existence until today with several European, National and International Cooperation Projects, such as SFERA, 4NEM, sISI, NEMi, AVISTA, MOVISAT, WIMSAT, BROADWAN, EUROPEAN-IST, ICTrain within FP5, FP6, FP7 and national projects totalling more than 40 R&D projects. Most of these projects have been promoted within the framework of technology platforms both at European and national levels.
ROSE has significant experience in designing, developing and implementing international cooperation projects covering the application and utilization of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) such as Broadband, mobile communications networks, networked media technologies, future Internet (networks, RFID, etc.), hybrid Satellite and Wireless Terrestrial Networks, etc.
Moreover, ROSE is in charge of secretariat responsibilities for the European Technological Platform (ETP) ISI (Integral Satellite Communications Initiative), co-secretariat for the European Technology Platform Networked and Electronic Media (NEM) and assisting four Spanish technology platforms (networked media, wireless communications, satellite communications and future internet).
The most relevant tasks of ROSE on the area of technology platforms and advanced research are those associated to the ICT, security, maritime transportation, wellbeing sectoral analysis, the identification of key priorities and the establishment of roadmaps and strategic Research Agendas.
Key personnel in charge of SYNCHRONISER
Dr. Julián Seseña has a PhD on Telecommunications by Polytechnic University of Madrid and diplomat on General Management Programme at IESE. He has been director of Telecommunications at the Spanish Satellite Operator, Executive Director in the North American company Teledesic, Head of Research and Development Department at the Spanish Ministry of Science and Technology. He has served during 8 years as Vicechairman of the International Telecommunications Union (R sector) Study Group 4. He has been chairman of the DVB-RC group and chairman of the ETSI SESNGSOKA group.
Currently he is Executive President of ROSE Vision. Since 1999, Dr. Seseña has been contracted by the European Commission regularly to participate in Evaluation of TEN-TELECOM, IST and eTEN proposals and projects Reviews.
He is currently chairman of the CENELEC TC 206 Committee, which deals with information society and entertainment, vicechair of ISI technology platform, Leader of the ISI Regulatory Working Group. He is also member of the steering Committee of the European Technology Platform NEM.
He is currently involved in several European projects dealing with international cooperation between EU and Latin America region.
Ms. Sara Muñoz is Telecommunication Engineer from the University of Sevilla (Spain) and has over 2 years of experience in Consultancy working for the Electric and Electronic Industry. She has experience on the conception, development and implementation of telecommunication networks using radio-electric links and optic fibre to provide services for the Transport and Maritime sectors.
She is currently involved in R&D activities in the ICT sector and its application to other sectors. She is Project Manager in Rose Vision dedicated to the participation and coordination of European R&D Projects in the fields of Telecommunication, Media and Future Internet. She is at present also involved in the development of several Spanish R&D projects providing support to some Spanish companies.
4) Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC )
With over two decades of experience in cutting edge innovation, C-DAC has emerged as a multi-disciplinary, core research and development (R&D) destination for the design, development and deployment of advanced IT products and technologies. C-DAC has defined the common methodology towards building the concept of a premier R&D organization and identified opportunities for establishing linkages across disciplines, to create a broad portfolio of technologies under one umbrella. This portfolio envisages a range of technologies such as High Performance Computing and Communications (HPCC) including Scientific Modelling and Visualization, Multilingual Computing, Software Technologies including Free & Open Source Software, Professional Electronics including Embedded Systems and VLSI, Health Informatics, Cyber Security & Cyber Forensics, and Education & Training.
With a strong manpower base spread across the country at its 10 R&D centres in Bangalore, Chennai, New Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mohali, Mumbai, Noida, Pune, Thiruvananthapuram with a corporate office at Pune, the focus is on consolidating the R&D work to enable a better market reach.
Over the years, C-DAC has demonstrated repeatedly the value of its commitment and has initiated efforts in specific areas by architecting suitable programs to proliferate the benefits of technology to the masses.
Key personnel in charge of SYNCHRONISER
Mr. Mahesh Kulkarni is Programme Co-ordinator at Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) and heading the language technology group – the GIST Group. After doing his Masters degree in Science (M.Sc) –Special Electronics he has worked in both Public and Private sectors. He started his career as a Development Engineer, working in area of ELCB/MCB and was Assistant Manager in NELCO-TATA Group of Company in Nasik & Mumbai for over a period of 09 years. He has extensively worked upon Supermini systems & telecommunications systems and was instrumental in bringing the Technology to India.'
Mr. Mahesh has several publications to his credit in the areas of Research and Development – published in various journals and international conferences, ITiRA 2003, Cyberworld 2003 (CW2003), Singapore, Chartered Secretary journal, COCOSDA – SPLASH, International localisation Summit. He represented C-DAC at World Hindi conference at Paramaribo.
Apart from initiating various Research projects within C-DAC, he was instrumental in getting and executing projects from various Multinational companies. As a part of the EU funded projects, he spearheaded international conference, EU workshops and many more. Mr. Mahesh Kulkarni has participated in "World Hindi Conferences" organized at "Paramaribo" and "New York".
During his long association with C-DAC, Mr. Mahesh Kulkarni has to his credit Patent on implementation of Indian Language Inputing on Mobile Handset with limited keys.
5) Software Technology Parks of India (STPI )
STPI is an autonomous Society under the Department of Information Technology, Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, Government of India, established in 1991 with a mandate to promote software exports from the Country. STPI facilitates software companies by providing world-class connectivity, state of the art incubation, consultation and other infrastructure services, which aim to encourage, promote and boost software exports.
With a pool of technically skilled manpower and experience of two decades, STPI has been performing the following main functions:
- Implementation of STP (Software Technology Park) and EHTP (Electronics Hardware Technology Parks) Schemes of the Government of India.
- Datacommunication services for software exporters and IT industry.
- Incubation Services for Start-up units and Small and Medium Entrepreneurs(SMEs)
- International and Domestic Project Management and Consultancy Services (PMC)
- Interface between industry and Government and providing single window contact services to the industry
Starting with a few centers in 1991, STPI has grown all over the Country with 51 centers. STPI centers have had a nucleating effect on the growth of software exports from these locations. Presence of STPI centers has generated employment and entrepreneurial initiatives. STPI is working closely with State Governments/local authorities for creation of more space equipped with state-of-the-art infrastructure facilities for development of the software industry and promotion of software exports from the Country.
Government of India is notifying the Jurisdictional Directors of STPI as the Development Commissioners of IT/ITeS SEZs since November 12, 2007 which itself is a recognition of STPI’s expertise and role played in successful administering of STP/EHTP schemes which are 100 % Export oriented schemes. This has given STPI added responsibilities to foster software exports from the country.
Key personnel in charge of SYNCHRONISER
Dr. Omkar Rai is Director General, Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) and has got wide experience in the matters of IT/ITES industry and ICT applications. He has worked in various capacities in the Central Government departments before joining STPI. He is well traveled to US and European countries in connection with IT industry matters. He is also on the Board of Directors of MTNL-STPI IT Services Limited and National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI).
Dr. Rai has been educated from BHU, Varanasi, from where he also earned his Ph.D degree in Statistics in 1991.
Ms. Vandana Srivastava has been graduated from IT BHU, Varanasi in Electronics and Communication in 1992.
She has total of 16 years of experience. She started her career in Indian telephone Industries (a PSU under Ministry of Communication & IT) and worked in various key areas like Switching, Customer Support and IT business development. Further, joined STPI at Head Quarter and working here as Head of Technical wing in the capacity of Additional Director. She is also holding the responsibilities of SEZ cell of STPI as a Co-coordinator.
6) The Indian Institute of Science (IISc)
The Indian Institute of Science (IISc), is the oldest academic institution of India. In the last one hundred years it has mirrored the development of science and technology. The institute has been successfully participating in FP6 and FP7 Projects. The Institute awards Masters and Ph.D. degrees in various areas of science, engineering and management. The Institute has an active university-industry interaction for R&D. It aims to bring R&D outcomes of its faculty and students to society. More on the IISc is on their website: http://www.iisc.ernet.in/
7) Fraunhofer Gesellschaft (FhG)
The Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft is Germany’s leading organisation of institutes for applied research. It undertakes contract research on behalf of industry, the service sector, and government.
