Nina-Maria Potts, FSN Brussels Bureau
Europe's top innovators, researchers and scientists still see the US as the best place to work, and tough economic times can only trigger more defections across the Atlantic.
The European Commission is again sounding the alarm, amid fears that shrinking investment in research and development, is likely to crush Europe's chances of ever catching up.
Having appointed 27 EU Ambassadors to champion European innovation, Brussels has now produced a 'manifesto'- designed to wake Europe up to the problem.
Even as a child, Damini Kumar told people she was going to be an inventor.
And she is now one of Europe's top young talents. She invented the world's first non-drip teapot; she is an international award-winner, and hopes to inspire young people across Europe to follow their dreams.
As one of 27 EU ambassadors trying to promote innovation and creativity, she has co-written a manifesto aimed at boosting funding, and making it easier for young innovators to emerge onto the market.
That's a problem Damini Kumar is all too familiar with. She invented a world-changing product that has won 15 awards worldwide, but she says, it is still not on the market.
" I invented the world's first non-drip spout, that can be applied to anything that pours, any liquid or teapot, a petrol pump, industrial machinery, simple innovation, a shape change, that makes any vessel non-drip or non-spill. That was in 1998, so up until now it's still not in the markets."
Damini Kumar says the absence of a single European patent for new products, makes it nearly impossible for young designers to protect, and market their work.
" Nearly all my wages go on my patents. It took nearly ten years to get it granted worldwide. And now still a lot of my money is in renewing those patents, for a product that's not actually in the market."
Not only that, but European companies often turn out to be risk-averse when it comes to picking up and running with a new idea.
" Companies either wanted to buy my patent, just to sit on it, so noone could enjoy it. The whole point of me inventing consumer products is so that people can enjoy them, and their lives are easier. // So they either wanted to sit on my patent, never to produce them, or it was Catch 22, the big companies said unless it's out there, we have no competition, so wait until someone else brings it out, and then we'll follow suit- now if they all say that to you, no-one's going to bring it out there."
Which is why, as part of an elite team of European innovators and scientists, she has told the European Commission how badly young designers and researchers, need support.
Briefing the President of the European Commission earlier, Damini Kumar said Europe is not lacking in big ideas, or knowledge, or know-how. The fundamental problem is education and a lack of funding and support.
" For me it's really important the barrier between art and science is broken down, in the education system, and that it's multi-disciplinary, as should businesses be later, the accountants should be speaking to the marketeers, should be speaking to the designers or the engineers."
For Christine van Broeckhoven, Professor of Molecular Neuroscience at Antwerp University, Europe's education system is the main problem, and one which does not encourage original thinking
" The education system is selecting more towards the average, than it is towards excellence."
Professor van Broeckhoven says any sign of entrepreneurship among innovators or scientists, is crushed by a lack of vision, both in academia and business.
" It's a huge bureaucracy, it's a huge administration, and then what have you done, only protected your idea, and then you have to bring it to the market, and there again you are talking about venture capital, because you are trying to find people who are interested in your idea, and that actually realize it, and it's all so slow, and it's all so bureaucratic, and lots of administration."
Europe's manifesto talks of nurturing lifelong learning, making schools and universities centers of creativity, transforming work places into learning sites, promoting diversity and scientific research, design and business innovation.
All aspirational goals - the stuff of manifestos. The question is, will it actually work?
HILLARY CLINTON IN VOGUE
Kate Moody, FSN Washington DC Bureau
Vogue has published a fascinating profile of US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Writer Jonathan Van Meter followed her on a 10 day trip to Africa this summer, as well as spending time with her at the UN General Assembly and in her office at the State Department. Click here to read the web version of the article, which examines her relationship with the traveling press corps, as well as her internal struggle about whether to accept the job of America's top diplomat. It's a whole new side of the former First Lady. Make sure to look at the photo slideshow as well, which includes a great picture of Secretary Clinton at a cocktail party she threw for the media in Cape Town.
FSN is PASSION for the PLANET's award winning news partner, providing global news from bureaus worldwide.
You'll find more world news stories, plus analysis from FSN at FSN REPORTERS BLOG .
No comments:
Post a Comment