A Colloquium and Seminar on 'Issues in the Intellectual Property Policy Implementation with an emphasis on Copyrights' was organized on July 12 2003. Prof H P Khincha, Chairman, Division of Electrical Sciences, and former Chief Executive, Society for Innovation and Development (SID), IISc Bangalore, offered a comprehensive overview on the 'Experiences in the Function of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at IISc'. Prof S Suryanarayan, Professor in Charge, Society for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (SINE, IITB) reviewed the current IPR policy at IIT Bombay while Prof P Ganguli, Adjunct Professor, SJMSOM, illustrated some nuances of copyright laws using case studies. Prof Sandip Roy, Chemical Engineering and Prof M U Deshpande of KReSIT dwelt on copyright issues in academia. The seminar concluded with a talk by Mr Sanjay Kher, Advocate, on some of the legal aspects of copyrights.

Dr Raj S Dave, Attorney, Morrison & Foerster, USA, gave a seminar on 'Intellectual Property (IP) Strategy for Patenting Inventions', on August 11, 2003, highlighting strategies for preparing patent applications and maximizing its benefits.

Dr R S Baheti, NSF, USA, gave a Seminar on 'Research and Educational opportunities at the National Science Foundation, USA', which elaborated upon the various schemes and initiatives for funding research in key and emerging areas by NSF.

An In-house symposium on Nanotechnology @IITB was held on 13 September 2003, with wide participation from faculty, scientists and students of the institute. The aim was to showcase ongoing Nanotechnology related research at IITB. The symposium was the first of its kind at the Institute to preview a futuristic technology to which the institute faculty is contributing actively

Dr G N Mathur, Director DMSRDE, (Chief Guest), elaborated the importance of dedicated research to make an impact in this emerging and extremely vital area. He highlighted the multi-disciplinary nature of nanotechnology, and DRDO's interest in supporting related reserach.

The institute-wide research activities on nanomaterials, nanoelectronics and nanobiomaterials were showcased through presentations by faculty, scientists, and posters on research mostly carried out by research scholars. A concluding panel discussion on 'Synergizing the Nanotechnology Activities at IIT Bombay & Looking Ahead' yielded a number of action points that are expected to provide a thrust and focus to further research at IITB. These include initiating post-graduate programmes and / or electives in the areas of Nanoelectronics and Nanobiotechnology, formation of a centralized research facility, and emphasizing on producing more PhDs in this area. Further, communicating the significance of this area to the Indian industry would be necessary to promote association towards commercial product development.