US National Science Foundation delegation discusses bilateral collaboration between two countries and ways to carry this collaboration to next level with Dr Jit
Union Minister says, India and United States
are committed to take the bilateral cooperation in Science, Technology and
Innovation to next level
Cooperation in areas like healthcare, space, earth and ocean science, energy,
emerging technologies, and in Science & Technology education will be taken
to greater heights
Dr Jitendra Singh seeks support of NSF for the proposed Integrated Data System
Dr Sethuraman Panchanathan, Director, NSF promised to open new avenues of
cooperation in areas like Artificial Intelligence, Biotechnology, Geosciences,
Astrophysics, telemedicine, Agritech and Dairy sectors
A US delegation of the premier National Science Foundation (NRF),
currently on visit to India, today called on Union Minister of State
(Independent Charge) Science & Technology; Minister of State (Independent
Charge) Earth Sciences; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic
Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh and discussed bilateral collaboration
between the two countries as well as the ways to carry this collaboration to
the next level.
Dr Kendra Sharp,
Head, Office of International Science and Engineering (OISE), National Science
Foundation (NSF) of USA, Brian Stone, Chief of Staff, NSF, USA, Dr Bridget
Turaga Program Director, Office of International Science and Engineering
(OISE), NSF, Drew Schufletowski, Minister Counselor for Economic, Environment,
Science and Technology Affairs, United States Embassy in India, William Harford
Chief of Environment, Science, and Technology Unit, United States Embassy and
Dr Sethuraman Panchanathan Director, National Science Foundation of United
States, among others, were part of the delegation joined the meeting.
During
the delegation level talks, Dr Jitendra Singh said, both the sides have already
identified the sectors and collaboration is on in areas like healthcare,
technology, Space, earth and ocean science, energy, emerging technologies and
cooperation in Science & Technology education. The Minister underlined that
India and the United States have a long-standing connection and shared interest
when it comes to scientific discovery and technological innovations and time
has come to strengthen and leverage these connects for larger global good.
Director,
National Science Foundation (NSF) of United States and head of the delegation
Dr Sethuraman Panchanathan assured Dr Jitendra Singh that the subjects
identified in the two-day brainstorming session would be taken to logical
conclusion. He also promised to open new avenues of cooperation in areas like
Artificial Intelligence, Biotechnology, Geosciences and Astrophysics.
Dr Jitendra
Singh said, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has always accorded highest priority
to scientific pursuits and takes keen personal interest in each of the
subjects. He said, since 2014, in every Independence Day speech, PM Modi has
flagged key scientific challenges and projects like Cleanliness, Hydrogen
Mission, Digital Health Care system, clean energy, net zero emission and
Start-ups.
Dr
Jitendra Singh told the NSF delegation that both sides must focus on
meaningful, targeted, deliverable-driven R&D partnerships in technology
areas such Quantum, Metaverse, Clean Energy Technologies, Cyber-Physical
Systems, Advanced Materials and Communications Technologies. The Minister
pointed out that the Indian Scientific diaspora is one of the world’s largest
and powerful diaspora communities in shaping global discourse, particularly in
the technological innovation landscape. He said, both the countries must
explore avenues for the US and India to jointly identify, nurture, and promote
deep-tech start-ups in areas of mutual interest.
Dr
Jitendra Singh also sought the support of NSF for the proposed Integrated Data
System. He said, data collection at present is being done by various
institutions in different ways, but the Integrated Data System will go a long
way in data analytics and associated benefits. The Minister said, the knowledge
partnership with NSF-National Centre for Science and Engineering Statistics
will be of great value addition in terms of long-term capacity development in
this area.
Dr
Jitendra Singh also called for scaling up the cooperation in the Space sector
and mainly in emerging areas like management of space debris. He also recalled
that the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar satellite is expected to be
launched in 2023. The Minister said, Science and technology education
partnership has been another dimension of the outreach—to establish linkages between
American and Indian institutions and students. Education Roundtable held last
year with participation of a number of STEM-focused universities.
Prof
Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) to the Government of India,
Dr Parvinder Maini, Scientific Secretary, Office of PSA, Dr Preeti Banzal,
Adviser, Office of PSA, Dr Monoranjan Mohanty, Adviser, Office of PSA, Dr
Sindura Ganapathi, PSA Fellow, Shirish Panda, Scientist ‘D’, Office of PSA and
Dr B Chagun Basha, Senior Specialist, Office of Principal Scientific Adviser to
the Government of India joined the talks from Indian side.