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Recent developments in the field of
Information, Communication, and Technology
(ICT) have been impressive in terms of
introduction of new products and services.
These changes, however, have affected only a
small fraction of the global population. It is
restricted to somewhat urban population. Many
Governments and commercial organizations do
believe that there is a scope of of bringing
ICT to rural population all over the world and
particularly rural and under-privileged
population in Asia. Many consumer products are
sold in remotest areas of world. However, this
is not the case for ICT products. It is felt
that the situation is so because ICT products
have not been developed keeping in mind the
Asian rural target population. The social,
economic, cultural situations are so different
that one needs to develop new products and
services for these societies. Commercial
organizations do feel that western markets are
getting saturated. If ICT products are indeed
developed and marketed in these new markets, it
will provide new opportunities for many
individuals as well as organizations.
Environment of Research Activities
Research is the primary focus of Media Lab
Asia. In order to facilitate the work as well
as ensure that the research activities are in
line with the overall objectives of the
organization, some practices are followed :
- Research ideas and proposals are
discussed in a demo format. This is different
from the conventional proposal format.
- Research teams held once a week
meeting.
- Once a quarter, a demo gallery event
takes place. All the work being carried out
at the lab are displayed in demo format. The
schedule is announced well in advance to all
other labs, current sponsors, potential
sponsors, other research workers.
- Research workers in KLL always remember
that generation of IPR is important for Media
Lab Asia. In order to generate IPRs in the
form of copyrights, patents etc, it is
desirable to generate the documents in the
form of monthly research memos or research
reports.
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