News from Indo-German cooperation

Ambassador Lindner interacts with students at Don Bosco University, Guwahati
On April 1, Ambassador Walter J. Lindner spoke on the topic of ‘New Diplomacy for new Global Challenges’ at the Don Bosco University, Guwahati. He was warmly welcomed by Fr Stephen Mavely, Vice Chancellor of the university. The Ambassador, in his speech, spoke about the Ukraine war and how it has changed the face of Europe. He also emphasized on how education is the answer to the most important questions of poverty eradication, climate change, finding a solution to plastics, and establishing smart cities. He said, “Universities and higher education are at the heart of the Indo-German partnership. Around 30,000 Indian students are studying in German universities and there are thousands of Indian researchers in German labs. I am certain that Don Bosco university with its high-quality education and open mindset is a great place to prepare for the global challenges of tomorrow.”
To know more about Don Bosco University scroll down to our ‘Institute of the month’
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Kick-off for the Humboldt Residency Programme
On April 6, the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation kicked-off a new Residency programme that connects experts from academia, media and civil society on the topic of social cohesion. With this programme a new format is launched for exploring innovative approaches to collaborate and foster cross-cultural and cross-disciplinary exchange. The Humboldt Residency Programme gives researchers all over the world to work together on a common topic with civil society and media professionals. The 15 members of the first cohort - journalists, authors and filmmakers from fields of philosophy to law to gender studies from India, Germany, USA, Slovenia, Sweden amongst other countries - will address the topic of social cohesion and explore current tendencies towards social division. Every year, the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation enables more than 2,000 researchers from all over the world to spend time conducting research in Germany. There is a network of well over 30,000 Humboldtians in more than 140 countries around the world – including 57 Nobel Prize winners.
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Three Indian scientists receive ERC Consolidator Grants
Three Indian scientists have received the ERC Consolidator Grants, that provide funding to excellent researchers with 7-12 years of post-PhD experience. Two of the winners are an example of the fruitful Indo-German science and research partnership. Dr Leo Kurian, Institute of Neurophysiology, University of Cologne, received funding for his proposed research programme which will support fundamental genetic research into the development of the human heart and Prof. Ajit Shrivastava, who will be starting his work at Max Planck Institute for the Structure and Dynamics of Matter (MPSD) Germany. Prof Ajit affirms, “With this grant I want to exploit the interplay between strong interactions and the underlying geometry and topology of electronic states to hunt for elusive topological correlated phases.” Prof. Manish K Tiwari from University College of London is the third recipient. A total of 313 researchers from 42 nationalities have been granted a total funding of 632 million euros. There are 27 researchers from outside the EU including India, associated to the horizon Europe programme. The ERC was set up by the European Union in 2007 and is the premier European funding organisation for excellent frontier research. It funds creative researchers of any nationality and age, to run projects based across Europe.

Upcoming events and conferences

Fire-side chat: SME Innovation and Technology Cooperation
On April 26, DWIH New Delhi is organizing a virtual fire-side chat with Dr Rainer Frietch, Head of Competence Centre, Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research and Prof Rishikesh T Krishnan, Director, IIM Bangalore on the topic ‘SME Innovation and Technology Cooperation’. An interactive discussion will be held with experts from India and Germany on the challenges, opportunities, and best practices in linking small and medium-sized enterprises and research institutes in the respective countries.
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DAAD and AIU present International Higher Education Dialogue
On May 4-6, the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) are organizing a three-day conference ‘International Higher Education Dialogue’. It is a platform for stakeholders and higher education institutions from Germany, France, India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal and Sri Lanka to discuss the future of international exchange in higher education and connect with other stakeholders to establish new contacts. Different sessions will be conducted to provide an engaging forum for exchange of ideas around a selected topic. The topics include non-degree seeking mobility, equity and access, developing strategic partnerships between institutions, funding, digitalization and transnational education among others.
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DAAD events

Overview: Opening a Blocked Account
Opening a blocked account is an important step in applying for a student visa at the German Embassy/Consulates.
April 14, 2022, 3:00 PM, Online
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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?
April 19, 3:00 PM, Online
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Study at HS Hof
April 20, 3:00 PM, Online
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Panel Discussion: PhD in Germany
Fun and informative web session with students that are currently studying or have recently studied in Germany.
April 21, 2022, 3:00 PM, Online
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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? Join this Web Q&A to learn more.
April 26, 3:00 PM, Online
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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?
March 23, 3:00 PM, Online
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Panel discussion: Masters in Germany
Interactive and informative web session about master studies with students that are currently studying or have recently studied in Germany.
March 24, 3:00 PM, Online
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Web Session: Masters in Germany
Join this web session and interact with Namia and Prashant as they share their experience of doing a Master’s degree in Germany.
April 5, 3:00 PM, Online
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Web Session: PhD in Germany
Join this web session and interact with Shanika as he shares his experience of doing a PhD degree in Germany.
April 6, 3:00 PM, Online
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Web Session: Bachelors in Germany
Join this web session and learn more about doing a Bachelor’s degree in Germany.
April 12, 3:00 PM, Online
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Overview: Opening a Blocked Account
Opening a blocked account is an important step in applying for a student visa at the German Embassy/Consulates.
April 14, 2022, 3:00 PM, Online
Read more and register

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?
April 19, 3:00 PM, Online
Read more and register

Study at HS Hof
April 20, 3:00 PM, Online
Read more and Register

Panel Discussion: PhD in Germany
Fun and informative web session with students that are currently studying or have recently studied in Germany.
April 21, 2022, 3:00 PM, Online
Read more and register

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?Join this Web Q&A to learn more.
April 26, 3:00 PM, Online
Read more and register

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? Join this Web Q&A to learn more.
April 27, 3:00 PM, Online
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Calls for proposals

IGSTC paired fellowship for early career Researchers
The PECFAR (Paired Early Career Fellowship in Applied Research) programme suppoerts a pair of early career researchers to have a short visit to India/Germany for networking and exploring new avenues for collaboration in applied research. It is an excellent opportunity to start a career in research & innovation in a bilateral setup. A dedicated matchmaking platform has been established for interested researchers. Covered topics include Waste to Wealth and Sustainable Packaging.
Application deadline: April 29, 2022
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Call to present at the ‘Early Career Research Symposium’
On September 5-9, the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), the Max Weber Forum for South Asian Studies and ICAS:MP Metamorphosis of the Political are organizing a four-day symposium ‘Early Career Research Symposium’. It is a platform for researchers to showcase their work in the field of Resilient Societies. The aim is to recognize and facilitate exchange of ideas in the fields of humanities and social sciences. DAAD invites applications from doctoral students and postdocs from South Asia, Germany and Europe who are working on topics related to India, South Asia, Germany and Europe to present at the symposium. The symposium will focus topics related to Public Health, Poverty, Sustainability, Governance, Crisis and Violence and Urbanisation.
Application deadline: May 31, 2022
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International Data Science Summer School
The School of Information, Media and Design, SRH University Heidelberg, invites applications for an International Data Science Summer School from September 5 - 11. The school offers a broad introduction into the world of practical data science. It will be a combination of theoretical and practical workshops in data science, data engineering and data analytics, with a strong focus on applications in business and industry. Selected students will have the opportunity of a cultural exchange and an insight into the German job market through direct networking with experts from the field. The Summer School is funded by DAAD.
Application deadline: June 30, 2022
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DFG and DST Indo-German International Research Training Groups
The Department of Science and Technology (DST) and the German Research Foundation (DFG) invite applications under a new joint funding programme for Indo-German International Research Training Groups (IRTGs). Indian and German universities can promote systematic scientific cooperation together through joint research programmes with a duration of up to 9 years, including many PhDs and postdoc positions. IRTGs can be established by universities and research institutions entitled to confer doctoral degrees. It should be run by two teams of principal investigators in india and Germany. Researchers in all subject areas covered by DST are eligible to apply.
Application deadline: August 1, 2022
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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.
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Institute of the month

Established in 2008, the Don Bosco University in the North East of India, located in Assam, has achieved the distinction of being the first University in the private sector being awarded an ‘A’ Grade by National Assessment and Accreditation Council of India in the State of Assam within a short span of ten years. Being located in North East India, the home of over 145 different communities and cultures, the University is an ideal place for experiencing the mosaic of cultures. The University offers graduate, post graduate and Doctoral Studies in Engineering, Management, Computer Studies, Commerce, Sciences, Media Studies and Social Sciences. The University has a vibrant collaboration with Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences and Friedrich Schiller University Jena under which a number of student and faculty exchange programmes, workshops and conferences have been successfully conducted. Some of the collaborative programmes including a Summer School and International Virtual Academic Collaboration (IVAC) were sponsored by German Academic Exchange Programme (DAAD). Fr Dr Stephen Mavely, Vice Chancellor, affirms, “Welcome to Don Bosco University! To an outstandingly attractive campus conceived with just the students in mind, to an ambiance supportive of intense study, research and social life, to a part of the world which is a paradise of inclusivity amid a mosaic of tribes and cultures!”
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Did you know?

The size of the biggest detector on which DESY is currently collaborating is 1 cubic kilometre. This is the IceCube neutrino detector, at the South Pole, which is looking for “ghost particles” using more than 5000 light sensors frozen into the Antarctic ice.

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.