knowledge requires enabling environments that may be called knowledge environments. In order that the dynamics of knowledge resources (knowledge resources
dynamics or KRDs) take off—i.e. in order to be developed, transferred and utilized as
a valuable resource for sustainable development and for generating further resources
in varied contexts, beyond knowledge itself, there must exist the enabling knowledge
environments of local interaction in the sense of Sharp (19 Dec. 2014, p. 1469).
5 The Convergence Model on the Life Sciences Horizon
‘Universities and research institutions are engines of innovation because they are the major
source of discovery, new technology, and scientifically trained people. Technology companies arise on the boundaries of universities for many reasons: Translation of the science is
accelerated by the recruitment of recently trained person and by consultation with academic
scientists involved in discovery and invention; the literal proximity of basic and applied
scientists with entrepreneurs fosters conversations and collaborations, accelerating the
translation process (Sharp 19 Dec. 2014, p. 1469)’. This is illustrated by the Kendall Square
Cluster around MIT in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and other clusters around the campuses
in California, Ohio, and many other campuses: The ‘immediate proximity of research
institutions, high-tech companies, and venture capital highlights the fact that even in this
age of the internet and rapid transport, local interactions are still vital. Leaders across the
world recognize this and are establishing research institutes to stimulate local innovation
(Sharp 19 Dec. 2014, p. 1469)’.
No doubt, the scientific advances of the past centuries, and the technologies,
innovations and market-mediated luxurious urban lifestyles based on them have
contributed to prosperity, economic growth and development, regionally and
globally. But, in their turn, all of these have contributed to anthropogenic global
warming and climate change. No surprise, if the growth economists working with
consumerist assumptions tend to believe that it is the growth triggered by the ever
increasing linkages of discovery, technology and innovation that will facilitate the
great escape of hundreds of millions of people from the pull of poverty. Yet, the
past scientific and technological advancements remain at the centre of controversy
regarding the problems of living the global community is addressing now to secure
the next steps for a dignified living and well-being for one and all in the future. The
global problems of today build up the single greatest challenging frontier for
humanity as these past advancements and the luxurious urban lifestyles based on
them have contributed greatly to these challenges. Just think of the fast disappearing
Earth’s green cover as society races for accelerated urbanization with flourishing
luxurious lifestyles, the anthropogenic global warming-driven climate change, the
challenging climate change mitigation, sustainable food production and sustainable
development, the explosive growth of global population on a finite planet with finite
resources, inequity in education, the problem of improvement of health care,
renewable energy frontier, poverty reduction, biodiversity loss and loss of
ecosystem resilience. No surprise, if post-Industrial Revolution, science and technology are, quite rightly, increasingly being recognized as an essential part of the
146
G.L. Pandit
dynamics or KRDs) take off—i.e. in order to be developed, transferred and utilized as
a valuable resource for sustainable development and for generating further resources
in varied contexts, beyond knowledge itself, there must exist the enabling knowledge
environments of local interaction in the sense of Sharp (19 Dec. 2014, p. 1469).
5 The Convergence Model on the Life Sciences Horizon
‘Universities and research institutions are engines of innovation because they are the major
source of discovery, new technology, and scientifically trained people. Technology companies arise on the boundaries of universities for many reasons: Translation of the science is
accelerated by the recruitment of recently trained person and by consultation with academic
scientists involved in discovery and invention; the literal proximity of basic and applied
scientists with entrepreneurs fosters conversations and collaborations, accelerating the
translation process (Sharp 19 Dec. 2014, p. 1469)’. This is illustrated by the Kendall Square
Cluster around MIT in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and other clusters around the campuses
in California, Ohio, and many other campuses: The ‘immediate proximity of research
institutions, high-tech companies, and venture capital highlights the fact that even in this
age of the internet and rapid transport, local interactions are still vital. Leaders across the
world recognize this and are establishing research institutes to stimulate local innovation
(Sharp 19 Dec. 2014, p. 1469)’.
No doubt, the scientific advances of the past centuries, and the technologies,
innovations and market-mediated luxurious urban lifestyles based on them have
contributed to prosperity, economic growth and development, regionally and
globally. But, in their turn, all of these have contributed to anthropogenic global
warming and climate change. No surprise, if the growth economists working with
consumerist assumptions tend to believe that it is the growth triggered by the ever
increasing linkages of discovery, technology and innovation that will facilitate the
great escape of hundreds of millions of people from the pull of poverty. Yet, the
past scientific and technological advancements remain at the centre of controversy
regarding the problems of living the global community is addressing now to secure
the next steps for a dignified living and well-being for one and all in the future. The
global problems of today build up the single greatest challenging frontier for
humanity as these past advancements and the luxurious urban lifestyles based on
them have contributed greatly to these challenges. Just think of the fast disappearing
Earth’s green cover as society races for accelerated urbanization with flourishing
luxurious lifestyles, the anthropogenic global warming-driven climate change, the
challenging climate change mitigation, sustainable food production and sustainable
development, the explosive growth of global population on a finite planet with finite
resources, inequity in education, the problem of improvement of health care,
renewable energy frontier, poverty reduction, biodiversity loss and loss of
ecosystem resilience. No surprise, if post-Industrial Revolution, science and technology are, quite rightly, increasingly being recognized as an essential part of the
146
G.L. Pandit