Source: German Information Center, new Delhi

India and Germany on Tuesday, September 9, inaugurated the Indo-German Science and Technology Centre. On a two-day visit to India, German Federal Minister of Education and Research, Dr Annette Schavan, along with her Indian counterpart Kapil Sibal inaugurated the Centre in New Delhi.

The Centre was announced during the visit of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to Germany in April 2008 and the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for setting up of the Centre was signed by Schavan and Sibal in October 2007, during the visit of German Chancellor Angela Merkel to India. The Centre will provide links to research, academia and Industry and support flagship projects between India and Germany in the areas of common interest. Both governments will be contributing €2 million each year for the initial five years.

Schavan and Sibal also inaugurated the campaign ‘India and Germany – Strategic Partners in Innovation’ in New Delhi. Both ministers reiterated their commitment for developing Indo-German strategic partnership in Science & Technology. A Joint Declaration on ‘Science for Sustainability’ was also signed by Sibal and Schavan to develop a full-fledged Indo-German programme in the areas of science for sustainability.

Another joint intent for exchange of students was also signed between both the countries. This includes the exchange of students and teachers between India and Germany for Zulab programmes of Germany and National Children Science Congress of India., and setting of ‘Youlabs’ at Indian institutes.

On September 8, the German minister announced a new Scholarship for Technical Education and Research (STAR) for the faculty and students of the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras (IIT-M). An MoU was signed between IIT-M and German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) that envisages setting up of the Centre for studies in Sustainable Development at IIT-M.

She also said a funding package ‘A New Passage to India’ comprising study and research, internships and setting up of Indo-German Centres of Excellence would be financed by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research and would begin in 2009. It will deal with renewable energy, water and waste management. Schavan said at the event, “The new programme will be an exchange programme especially for scientists. The number of Indian students coming to Germany has increased by a factor of six. For this, Germany has provided a funding to €4.3 million a year for scholarships, internships and tie-ups,” she said.

India and Germany have had over five decades of cooperation and exchange in the field of science and technology. India is a priority partner of Germany in Asia and science and technology cooperation (STC) is one of the most important strategic goals for the future of Indo-German relations.