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Wiss-Nama Newsletter February 2021
News from Indo-German cooperation
Dr Balasubramanian Ramani from Leibniz University conferred Pravasi Bhartiya Samman Award
On January 9, Dr Balasubramanian Ramani was honoured with the Pravasi Bhartiya Samman Award (PBSA) by the President of India for his excellent work in the field of cooperation between India and Germany, in particular for his contributions to education, social interaction and political participation. Dr Ramani, thrilled to receive the award, said: “This award is a team effort of so many stakeholders in India, Germany, and around the world. My interest is to promote the research fraternity in Germany and India. Both countries complement each other in innovation systems.” In addition to his work in the International Office at Leibniz University, Dr Ramani is committed to various other projects fostering collaboration between India and Germany. He also founded the Indian Association Hannover in 2010 at Leibniz University. PBSA was established in 2003 and is conferred to non-resident Indians or persons of Indian origin in recognition of their outstanding achievements. Only four people have received it in Germany till date, with Dr Ramani being the youngest.
Find a short portrait of Leibniz University Hannover under ‘Institute of the month’
Launch of marketing initiative ‘Research in Bavaria’
Bavaria has launched an international marketing initiative under the header ‘Research in Bavaria’ to attract early career researchers from all over the world to Bavaria. This initiative of Bavarian universities and of the Bavarian State Ministry of Science and the Arts promotes the goals of the ‘Hightech Agenda Bayern’ to make Bavaria visible as an attractive academic location, in particular to potential doctoral candidates and post-doctoral researchers. The web portal shows the range of research areas at Bavarian universities, features a search tool to help them search for suitable contacts in Bavaria, and provides links to the campaign’s social media channels.
Highlights from India and Germany
Union budget 2021 sees increased research spending
The Indian Government presented its annual union budget for 2021-22 on February 1. Among many new science-related programmes, the implementation of National Research Foundation (NRF) stands out with an outlay of INR 50,000 crores (EUR 5.67 billion) over the next five years. NRF will cover the entire spectrum of subjects and is expected to greatly increase the Indian research footprint. Its major beneficiaries will be Higher Education Institutions such as IITs/IISc/IISERs/NITs etc. Nine cities will have a “higher education cluster” each for better coordination among institutions and aiding collective growth without infringing their individual autonomy. The new financial year will also see the establishment of the Higher Education Commission of India (HECI) with 4 verticals - Accreditation, Standard Setting, Regulation, and Funding. Major investments have been announced in handling of waste, air pollution and delivery of clean water both in urban and rural India, taking S&T from its fundamental aspects into applications and society.
Upcoming events and conferences
Science Circle Lecture: Why is the universe not empty?
On February 22, DWIH New Delhi, Heidelberg University and German Embassy will organise a virtual science circle lecture on the Cosmos and the development of its structures, ranging from the Solar System to the Milky Way galaxy to other distant galaxies. The lecture by Matthias Bartelmann, Professor of theoretical astrophysics at Heidelberg University, will explain why dark matter exists, why the existence of ordinary matter is so surprising, and why they key to the origins of the Cosmos are most likely be found under the microscope.
Indo-German Forum: Cities and Climate
On March 16 and 17, DWIH New Delhi is organising its annual Indo-German Forum, which will address the topics of urbanisation and climate change. The two-day virtual event will highlight ongoing research projects and showcase practical initiatives in the field of cities and climate. German and Indian scientists, decision-makers, and professionals from various disciplines will present their research projects and explain how cities adapt to climate change and how urban settlements can minimise their environmental impacts. Participants will have the opportunity to discuss challenges, exchange ideas and network with experts. Key topics that will be covered include Climate Science and strategies for cities, Foresight 2050 for climate smart cities, Citizen involvement in policy and science, Urban water bodies and their management, Air quality in cities, and Coastal cities and climate change. DFG India director and DWIH Chairman Dr. Matthias Kiesselbach explains: “The DWIH Cities and Climate event owes its significance to the unfolding global climate catastrophe, so it is perhaps not entirely appropriate to say that I am ‘looking forward’ to it. I do, however, welcome the event, and I am happy that the DWIH is pursuing the topic. The subject is of obvious global importance, and it makes a lot of sense to bring Indian and German researchers, scholars and audiences together.” Science Counsellor Philipp von Ritter adds: “DWIH’s Indo-German Forum is an absolute highlight of the Delhi scientific calendar. This year’s topic is well chosen as it concerns not only a major global challenge but also core areas of Indo-German scientific, economic, and development cooperation. The two-day programme includes the best of the best of researchers, activists and administrators. The interactive tool will allow for a lot of interaction and discussion. See you virtually on 16 March!”
Web Talk series: Artificial Intelligence in Agriculture, Health and Education
On May 18-20, DWIH New Delhi is organizing a series of web talks on artificial intelligence in the field of agriculture, health and education. This web talk series will explore the role of AI in reaching Sustainable Development Goals, namely Quality Education, Good Health and Well-Being and Zero Hunger. Education, healthcare and agriculture will be addressed from perspectives of developing as well as developed countries. Scientists, experts and professionals across several disciplines from India and abroad will present lectures, good practices and international projects related to AI research for societal good. Topics such as AI-driven diagnostics and personalised treatment and improvement of public health, AI technology in agricultural engineering, genomics and crop improvement, customized learning and tutoring systems with the help of AI will be addressed.
Upcoming TestAS on April 24, 2021
TestAS, sponsored by BMBF, is a central standardised scholastic aptitude test which measures intellectual abilities particularly important for university studies. It is intended for study applicants from non-EU countries planning to do undergraduate studies at German universities. The benefit of TestAS: It enables applicants to know the requirements for a subject and realistically assess their chances of completing their studies at a German university. And successful test participants will be granted priority visa appointments. The next test date is April 24; registrations close on March 8.
DAAD events
Web Q&A: Bachelor Studies in Germany
February 16, 2021: 3:00 PM, Online
Web Q&A: Master Studies in Germany
February 18, 2021: 3:00 PM, Online
Web Q&A: PhD in Germany
February 25, 2021: 3:00 PM, Online
Calls for proposals
PhD program at International Max Planck Research School for Global Biochemical Cycles
In cooperation with Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, the Max Planck Institute for Biochemistry offers a PhD program specializing in global biochemistry and related earth system sciences. The overall research focuses on improved understanding of biochemical processes, development of observational techniques to monitor and assess biogeochemical feedbacks in the earth system and theory and model development for improving the representation of biogeochemical processes in comprehensive earth system models. Applicants must hold or should be about to receive a Master of Science or equivalent degree in natural sciences.
Application deadline: February 28, 2021
DBT-DFG Programme for Indo-German Fundamental Research Projects in the Life Sciences
The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) invite applications from Indian and German scientific researchers to seek synchronised funding for integrated Indo-German cutting-edge fundamental research projects proposing innovative approaches in the academic disciplines covered by DBT, with a duration of up to three years. It is also suitable for Indo-German projects about epidemics or pandemics such as the current SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Funding will be granted for only those proposals where both DBT and DFG recommend funding.
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis: until February 28, 2021.
16 PhD Positions in Münster: Imaging Cellular Processes and Disease
The joint CiM-IMPRS graduate program of the International Max Planck Research School - Molecular Biomedicine and Münster’s Cells in Motion Interfaculty Centre offers positions to pursue PhD projects in the areas of biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics or computer science. 16 young scientists with an interest in interdisciplinary projects to image cell dynamics from the subcellular to the patient level are eligible to apply. PhD projects range from the analysis of basic cellular processes to clinical translation, from the application of novel biophysical approaches and the generation of mathematical models to the development of new imaging-related techniques and compounds.
Application deadline: April 4, 2021
Dorothea Schlözer Postdoctoral Programme for female postdocs
The Presidential Board of the Georg-August-University Göttingen - Public Law Foundation –invites applications to support 2 female postdocs for 2 years. The applicants should be planning to conduct research at the Georg-August-University in the faculties, namely, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Faculty of Biology and Psychology, Faculty of Chemistry, Faculty of Forest Sciences and Forest Ecology, Faculty of Geoscience and Geography, Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science or Faculty of Physics. Applicants with doctorate degrees are eligible to apply.
Application deadline: April 15, 2021
Funding call for research on green hydrogen in Germany
The Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) invites top researchers from all over the world to build international research teams in Germany. The aim of this call is to advance research on climate-friendly hydrogen technologies from Germany. BMBF is promoting the establishment of international future laboratories with a new funding guideline to lay foundations for further future laboratories on the topic of green hydrogen. BMBF has already launched three hydrogen lead projects that make a key contribution to the implementation of the National Hydrogen Strategy and are funded with around 700 million euros. Universities and research institutions can now apply for funding. The projects will each receive up to five million euros over a period of three years.
Application deadline: April 22, 2021
Read more (in German)
IGSTC 2+2 Call in Additive Manufacturing
Indo-German Science & Technology Centre (IGSTC) invites First Stage Proposals for joint R&D&I projects of industrial relevance in 2+2 Mode of Partnership in the thematic area Additive Manufacturing with subtopics New Materials for Additive Manufacturing, Printed and Wearable Electronics, Large scale Additive Manufacturing, In situ Process Monitoring and Control and 3D printing processes for biomedical devices and implants. Applicants have to build a consortium (minimum 4 partners) consisting of one research / academic institute and one public / private industry from both India and Germany. Applicants from public and private non-profit research organisations, public and private institutions of higher education, universities and public or private companies having R&D bases are eligible to partner an application.
Master’s in Transcultural Studies at Heidelberg University
Heidelberg University welcomes applications for its two-year Master’s Programme in Transcultural Studies, in which students from around the globe can explore the dynamics of cultural exchanges working across disciplinary and national boundaries. The emphasis lies on Asia, predominantly East and South Asia, and Europe. The MA in Transcultural Studies is a research-oriented, interdisciplinary programme in the humanities and social sciences with a trans-regional focus. It offers a wide range of courses within an international research environment. Applicants must hold a BA or equivalent (minimum three years of study) in a discipline of the humanities or social sciences.
Application deadline: June 15, 2021
Special Call for Indo-German Bilateral Virtual Workshops
The Indo-German Science & Technology Centre (IGSTC) invites proposals for Indo-German virtual thematic workshops for interactions between scientists/researchers from academia and industry. The workshops are to be designed around a specific research topic out of thematic areas relevant to both DST and BMBF. Scientists holding regular positions in public or private non-profit research organisations, institutions of higher education and universities are eligible to submit applications. Applications are considered on a rolling basis.
Institute of the month
Leibniz University, Hannover
Leibniz University in Hannover offers exciting opportunities for international students through their internationally-oriented Bachelor’s and Master’s programmes. With a total of 29,000 students and 3,100 researchers from 119 countries it is renowned for its international cooperation and scientific excellence. The established key research areas are Biomedical Research and Engineering, Quantum Optics and Gravitational Physics, Optical Technologies, Production Engineering and Interdisciplinary Studies of Science. Leibniz University is a part of the TU9 group of leading technical universities and has a strong Indian community, with 400 Indian students and 75 Indian university staff. It has collaborations and student exchange programmes with IISERs, IITs, Manipal University and Symbiosis International University. International Office executive Dr Balasubramanian Ramani adds: “Hannover is safe, international and easily makes you feel at home. We have a strong Indian student community that is well integrated and highly supportive to newcomers to the city. Our innovative international office provides best student care services and also coordinates worldwide capacity building of international office staffs.”
Find out more about the university
Did you Know?
Saturn's rings are made from trillions of chunks of orbiting ice.