![ThomasNastas.png Thomas Nastas](/images/stories/2011/ThomasNastas630150456-20110701182309.png)
By Thomas Nastas
Member, International Science & Technology Board, Technology Commercialization Project, Kazakhstan
Founder, Innovative Ventures Inc., Michigan, USA
Last week I returned from Kazakhstan where I am a member of the International Science & Commercialization Board. The Government of Kazakhstan is embarking on a nation building program to accelerate the creation and commercialization of intellectual property to improve the country’s participation in knowledge-based industries.
The Government is implementing the Technology Commercialization Project with the World Bank to finance competitively selected R&D groups and commercialization activities in Kazakhstan. The Ministry of Education & Science (MOES) executes this project through its Project Management Unit (PMU). The MOES established a seven member board of international scientists, commercialization & venture practitioners to oversee this program and provide guidance to it and the PMU.
In February 2011, the 1st call of a competitive bid process to finance the technology of junior and senior scientists was published. 304 proposals were received, technologies submitted for financing included nanotechnology, agriculture, medical, exploration & production of mining & mineral, information technology and alternative energy to name a few. By the end of April the Board had evaluated and shortlisted 35 proposals; we invited 23 senior and 12 junior science groups to submit full proposals.