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Wiss-Nama Newsletter January 2022
News from Indo-German cooperation
Indian and German health experts discuss Equity and pandemic
On January 24, DWIH New Delhi hosted a fireside chat on the importance of equity in response to the pandemic. It brought together high-ranking experts from public health research and policy to discuss the general moral but also practical reasons for equity in pandemic response strategies. Prof. Johanna Hanefeld, Head of the International Health Unit at Robert Koch Institute and Prof. Srinath Reddy, President of the Public Health Foundation of India, discussed topics such as accessibility to information, healthcare, the question of global distribution of vaccines and the challenges of researchers in policy advice. Prof. Reddy affirmed, “Equity has been greatly challenged during this pandemic. There is a disparity in the production, distribution and delivery of vaccines, which needs to be improved.” Prof. Hanefeld explained, “The pandemic has made a clear case for regionalised production capacities; steps in this direction are being taken around the world. We also need to talk about equitable preparedness for emerging pathogens. I am glad that we have had talks with NIV Pune on forward-looking monitoring through genome sequencing.”
Highlights from India and Germany
Europe’s first cloud-based annealing Quantum Computer launched at Jülich
On January 17, the Jülich Supercomputing Centre launched a cloud-based quantum “annealing computer” with more than 5000 qubits, the first Quantum computer of that kind outside of North America. The system, which was developed together with Canadian D-Wave Systems, will provide German and European researchers with easy access to various quantum systems via a cloud infrastructure. The service-oriented infrastructure has been created to gain more practical experience in the use of annealing quantum computers. These systems are expected to help solving challenging optimization problems with many possible solutions; for instance, the efficient control of traffic flows or the training of neural networks for artificial intelligence applications. The Jülich Supercomputing Centre is one of the leading sites for supercomputing in Europe, with a series of high-performance systems in place. In another stream of quantum computing innovation, the first IBM System One “universal quantum computer” was recently inaugurated in Ehingen close to Stuttgart – the first of its kind in Germany, the most powerful in Europe with 27 qubits, and an integral part of the national strategy to boost quantum computing technology. In Jülich, Federal Research Minister Bettina Stark-Watzinger affirmed, “Quantum computers promise enormous opportunities for our future and for research in Germany. This is why the Federal Research Ministry is providing intensive, broad-based support for quantum computer development. Today’s launch of a quantum annealer in the JUNIQ user infrastructure is a further important step to propel Germany and Europe to an international leadership role in quantum computing.” The project launch was live streamed together with international guests from science, industry and politics.
Upcoming events and conferences
DWIH conference: Indo-German Research Day
On February 24 DWIH New Delhi is organising its annual ‘Indo-German Research Day’. The conference will bring together researchers, experts and stakeholders from 25 research institutions from India and Germany to highlight funding opportunities and projects that are available for joint Indo-German research. Thematic panel discussions will include Gender Equality in Research, Funding opportunities for International Research, Science Communication, and Open Access: Policies and Initiatives. A virtual fair section will give participants the opportunity to virtually meet with universities, research institutes, and funding institutes .
DAAD Events
Web Q&A: PhD in Germany
Still have questions on PhD in Germany after attending a DAAD Web Session or reading on the DAAD website?
January 25: 3:00 PM, Online
Web Q&A: Bachelors in Germany
Still have questions on Bachelors in Germany after attending a DAAD Web Session or reading on the DAAD website?
January 27: 3:00 PM, Online
Web Session: Masters in Germany
Join this web session and interact with Binura from Sri Lanka as he shares his experience of doing a Masters degree in Germany.
February 1: 3:00 PM, Online
Web Session: PhD in Germany
Attend this web session to know more about PhD in Germany!
February 2: 3:00 PM, Online
Web Session: Bachelors in Germany
Join this web session and interact with Manisha from Sri Lanka as she shares her experience of doing a
Bachelors degree in Germany.
February 8: 3:00 PM, Online
Study at HS Karlsruhe
February 9: 3:00 PM, Online
Overview: uni-assist Application Procedure
A number of German universities require students to apply for admission through uni-assist. Get answers to all questions related to uni-assist!
February 10: 3:00 PM, Online
Web Q&A: Masters in Germany
Still have questions on Masters in Germany after attending a DAAD Web Session or reading on the DAAD website?
February 15: 3:00 PM, Online
Web Session: Study at FH Zwickau
February 16: 3:00 PM, Online
Panel Discussion: Research and Career Opportunities in Data Science and Mathematics
Listen to academicians about research and career opportunities in the field of Data Science and Mathematics who have a strong cooperation with Germany.
February 17: 3:00 PM, Online
Web Session: Initiating Cooperation and DAAD Cooperation-based Funding Opportunities
February 17: 4:00 PM, Online
Web Q&A: PhD in Germany
Still have questions on PhD in Germany after attending a DAAD Web Session or reading on the DAAD website?
February 22: 3:00 PM, Online
Web Q&A: Bachelors in Germany
Still have questions on Bachelors in Germany after attending a DAAD Web Session or reading on the DAAD website?
February 23: 3:00 PM, Online
Calls for proposals
PhD positions at International Max Planck Research School on Earth System Modelling
The Max Planck Institute for Meteorology, a multidisciplinary centre for climate and Earth system research, invites applications for three fully-funded PhD positions. Students holding a Master’s degree (with written thesis) in physics, geophysical sciences including meteorology and oceanography, ecology, mathematics, computer science, engineering, economics, or political science are eligible to apply. Max Planck Research School on Earth System Modelling offers prime research facilities and an advanced academic training in the Earth system sciences and modelling.
Application deadline: January 23, 2022
Call for Masters in Digital Narratives at International Film School Cologne
The International Film School Cologne invites applications for its international Master’s program. The program focuses on the critical examination and experimentation with storytelling and production techniques for digital media. Students will conceptualize, design, and develop digital narrative projects, namely, interactive web series and films, transmedia theatre productions, mobile games, VR experiences, and interactive installations, among others. Media professionals from all across the world are eligible to apply.
Application deadline: March 1, 2022
Call for participation in Alumni Web Talks on Sustainable Development Goals
The DAAD New Delhi invites applications for a Web Talk Series under the topic of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Former scholarship holders of DAAD and Alexander von Humboldt Foundation from India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Sri Lanka as well as South East Asia are eligible to apply. This year’s web talk series will address topics of Quality Education, Sustainable Consumption and Production and Life Below Water. The event will showcase relevant research work under selected SDGs and will consist of three web talks on each topic in May, August and November.
Application deadline: March 15, 2022
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
The Internationale Filmschule Cologne, an initiative of the North Rhine Westphalia State government and the Film- and Media Foundation, was founded in the year 2000. It offers undergraduate and graduate programmes ranging from Screenwriting, Directing, Editing,and Producing to Storytelling and CFX Animation. The study programs are carried out in cooperation with the TH Cologne. The Filmschule is a member of CILECT, the International Association of Film and Television Schools, and cultivates partnerships with a global network of film schools and universities. Valerie Lang, Marketing Master Programmes, explains: “With its international programs, the Filmschule is interested in bringing together students from different countries. The different influences and cultural backgrounds make working with the group exciting and diverse. After graduation, students tend to have a wide range of job opportunities in Germany and around the world.”
Job Vacancy
The German Embassy New Delhi invites interested candidates for five vacancies in the Academic Evaluation Center at the Embassy. The Federal Foreign Ministry has made it its goal to support women in their professional careers and explicitly invites female candidates to apply.
Did you Know?
The shortest pulse of UV laser light in the world is at 1.9 femtoseconds (trillionths of a second), which was produced at DESY in 2018.
DESY is a particle accelerator in Hamburg, founded in 1959. Researchers use the large-scale facilities at DESY to explore the microcosm in all its variety. The facilities generate the world’s most intense X-ray light, accelerate particles to record energies and open completely new windows onto the universe. India is a substantial financial contributor to the PETRA III extension of DESY, and sends numerous researchers to conduct experiments at DESY facilities.