Abstract
This chapter explore how TERI, being a research organization, emphasizes knowledge creation and global dissemination of its research on sustainable development. Knowledge Management division was created to meet the challenges of the knowledge acquisition, management, and outreach demands of the research community. The Library and Information Centre (LIC) caters to the knowledge needs of both institutional and external professionals by collecting, collating, and disseminating knowledge products and services documented in a wide array of resources, including books, reports, periodicals, and e-resources. Besides providing research assistance to users, the core competency of the LIC professionals includes providing innovative services, Web content development, contributions to publications, and setting up specialized information centres on contemporary themes like transport, renewable energy and environment, mycorrhiza, and climate change. The Institute runs the only specialized library on climate change (SLCC) supported by the Norwegian Government.
TopIntroduction
TERI (The Energy and Resources Institute) is a dynamic and flexible organization with a global vision and a local focus was established in 1974.
While in the initial period, the focus was mainly on documentation and information dissemination, research activities in the fields of energy, environment and sustainable development were initiated in 1982.The Institute has grown substantially over the years, particularly, since it launched its own research activities and established a base in New Delhi, its registered headquarters. All activities in TERI revolve around formulating local and national level strategies and suggesting global solutions to critical energy and environment related issues. TERI has also established regional centres in Karnataka, Goa, Assam, Maharashtara and Uttarakhand.
With staff strength of over 900, drawn from multidisciplinary and highly specialized fields, offices and regional centers equipped with state-of-the- art facilities, and a diverse range of activities (Figure 1). TERI is the largest developing country institution working to move human society towards sustainable development. TERI makes effective use of the latest development in information technology in both its in-house and outreach activities.
Figure 1. Human resource strength of TERI
TopTeri’S Global Outreach And Presence
TERI strives to sustain a global vision to encompass the universal nature of problems that human society faces today and may face in the future (Figure 2). Its activities move from formulating local- and national-level strategies to developing global solutions. Over the years, TERI's global affiliates and centers have developed strong collaborations with like-minded institutions and important organizations to further the cause of sustainable development. (TERI, 2012)
Figure 2.
TERI’s Global presence to spread the knowledge of energy, environment and sustainable development
KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT DIVISION OF TERI
TERI being a research organization emphasizes on knowledge creation and global dissemination of its research on sustainable development. Knowledge Management division was created to meet the challenges of the knowledge acquisition, management and outreach demands of research community. TERI’s knowledge management activities is enriched through (i) internal learning from operational practice, and (ii) external learning from long term strategic partnerships with other organizations and academic institutions of repute. These objectives are fulfilled through the provision of library, information, documentation, and publication services. The Division manages databases of TERI’s research activities through a well-designed state-of-the-art knowledge management system.