As the geography of innovation changes, India is fast becoming a hub for collaborative R&D. With rapid development in the areas of technology development and the commercialization of innovative technologies, the role of the technology manager in India has gained prominence. The Society for Technology Management (STEM), the Professional Association of Technology Management Professionals in India is a not for profit organization that has played an important role in this milieu by creating a facilitative environment for the adoption of successful technology management processes in India and other countries in South Asia.
On 17 March 2010, STEM signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Association of University Technology Managers (AUTM). ?This is an important first step for STEM, and by extension, a major step towards enhancing growth through sustainable technology transfer in India? said K. Vijayaraghavan, the President of STEM.
Under the MoU, AUTM and STEM will jointly design and deliver appropriate training programmes for technology transfer professionals in India. AUTM will also recommend that the AUTM foundation institute a framework whereby technology transfer professionals from India can avail of fellowships at US institutions. Apart from sharing successful practices in the area of technology management, AUTM and STEM will collaborate to build best practices in protecting and licensing intellectual property developed by public and academic institutions. Arundeep S. Pradhan, AUTM immediate past president, remarked ?This is an exciting partnership for AUTM as we strive to enhance technology transfer globally.?