As a jury for UNESCO-Netexplo University Network Innovation Awards 2019 at Paris, one is introduced to an exceptional brilliance of a new world of professionals.In Indian universities it is rare to see young researchers moving beyond their immediate requirement of completing their doctorate.It is also impressive to witness youth power in new areas such as robotics, digital innovations and e-governance applications.Their focus on issues of socio-emotional, physical and economic security provides exceptional platforms for making models of humanoids, robots, customer care apps., digital fashion dresses and skill labs.It is quite evident that the transformation ignited by the young is less technological and more cultural in the sense that they are speeding towards liberation and not controls consequently the technology ought to generate emancipation and space for their free thoughts.
While the Netexplo believes that there is nothing like a ‘digital talent’as people are tempted to use this expression in a current world of technology, they are conscious of the fact that a very well focused researcher can create an innovation out of her research anyways. While thinking about her/his work in relation to a larger and a more holistic forum, breaking down silos and fragmentation of knowledge, emancipate from pre determined and outdated thought processes and embark on a change strategy, is what that makes meaningful research. The idea also indicates the indigence of research which could be socially relevant and could facilitate care and concern for the less fortunate in society.This is due to the fact that talent nurturing generally goes missing in research as disciplinary mastery takes over the researcher’s innate brilliance.Talent is not linked to performance or disciplinary hold, it should also not be confused with the standard of expression or task orientation. A confusion to link talent and skill over a fuzzy understanding of talent derails innovation in research by the young.
Then what is an innovation research?
Experts suggested seven skill markers for innovation and transformational skill research:
- Interdisciplinarity
- Imagination
- Creativity
- Systemic approach & Singularity
- Focus and perseverance
- Sharing & coalescence
- Meaning, trust & liberation
In combination, all seven markers may be put under the term “Transdisciplinarity”which establishes that crucial skills for transformation are team skills and teams have been identified as places where transformation happens.
Out of the 15 shortlisted transformational projects the list extended from a humanoid robot ‘FARHAT’ to the I-CUT RESTORERS. There were other striking innovations in fashion or design of clothes for the disabled,in customer care etc. Finally the top of the selected list was a project was ‘I-CUT’.It has been designed and created by 4-5 High School girls from Nairobi in Kenya. They have designed an App through which they would reach every girl who is likely to be subjected to female genital mutilation(FGM), all men and women who become party to this barbaric act embedded in cultural practices, supported by women as an accepted sexual behavior for girls.The transformation is triggered through school girls to stop the FGM of more than 200 m girls across Africa, Middle East and Asia. What makes it transdisciplinary and transformatory is its approach to life, its ability to facilitate prevention of a wrong practice, its courage and determination for a cause.
Our young researchers should be encouraged to undertake their research with a commitment to transdisciplinarity.
