The 2018-India Science and Research Fellowship (ISRF) scheme will provide a fully-paid fellowship to scientists and researchers of neighbouring countries, said Union Science and Technology Minister Harsh Vardhan.
At the ongoing India International Science Festival (IISF), India has announced fully-sponsored academic fellowship to scientists and researchers of neighbouring countries.
As per reports, India has taken this initiative to step up its cooperation in the field of science and technology.
A brief about 2018-India Science and Research Fellowship (ISRF):
To support PhD scholars, a new element has been added in the 2018-India Science and Research Fellowship scheme.
The 2018-India Science and Research Fellowship (ISRF) scheme will provide a fully-paid fellowship to researchers, scientists and academicians.
Here’s the list of seven countries that will be covered under this:
1. Afghanistan
2. Bangladesh
3. Bhutan
4. Maldives
5. Myanmar
6. Nepal
7. Sri Lanka
The announced was made by Union Science and Technology Minister Harsh Vardhan which was attended by Afghanistan’s Minister of Higher Education Abdul Latif Roshan and Bangladesh’s Minister of Science and Technology Yeafesh Osman.
Here’s what Harsh Vardhan said:
“The scheme for the first time will also include doctoral students in science, engineering and medical fields to undertake project-related research work in any premier research and academic institution in India up to a period of six months,” Vardhan told PTI.
“This would help in capacity building and will also foster research networks with Indian scientific institutions in these countries,” Vardhan added.
Moreover, Vardhan in a recent tweet said, “Home to many academic and research institutions, Chennai is a science city with a Good Academia, IT Infra and a large human resource pool.”
Home to many academic and research institutions, Chennai is a science city with a Good Academia,IT Infra and .a large human resource pool pic.twitter.com/DuFn0MBnVV
— Dr Harsh Vardhan (@drharshvardhan) October 13, 2017
About IISF:
The four day India International Science Festival (IISF) began on October 13 and will continue till October 16
On the progress made by premier research institution CSIR (Council for Scientific and Industrial Research), Harsh Vardhan said the institution which last year was at the 12th position among about 1,200 government funded research institutions worldwide, had moved up to ninth rank as per the Scimago Institutions Ranking World Report 2017.
Science village, conclave and much more
‘Science village’, a programme intended to give exposure to students from rural areas on the country’s achievements in science and technology, a summit on innovative technologies from several states, a conclave of women scientists and entrepreneurs, an industry academia interaction are among the events that have been lined up for the science festival.
The initiative is to encourage scientific temper among the people and showcase Indian contributions in science and technology.
Meanwhile, as reported by PTI, two hundred travel slots every year were announced for the researchers from these countries to be supported by the Department of Science and Technology to enable them to make the best use of these advanced training programmes offered by India.
Further, India is engaged in active cooperation in the field of science and technology with more than 44 countries, including advanced, emerging and developing nations.
PTI