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Wiss-Nama Newsletter August 2023
News from Indo-German cooperation
Germany’s leading science influencer Doktor Whatson visits India
Cedric Engels (DoktorWhatson) is one of Germany’s leading science influencers. From August 10 – 17 Doktor Whatson visited Bangalore, Delhi and Mumbai and conducted masterclasses on how to kick-start a career as a science influencer. In his masterclasses, he outlined his own journey as a science communicator and shared insights into his approach and strategy. He also underlined the importance of science influencers to tackle climate change and other challenges that the world is facing. Aspiring influencers and science enthusiasts, amongst others, attended his classes. During his time here, he visited a few science start-ups in India to get a glimpse of the Indian science and technology scenario. In Noida, he visited the Ant Studio, which experiments with terracotta to build waste passive cooling systems for buildings. He also had an exchange at a DBT-funded project in Mumbai, which researches on how algae can help solve climate change as a source of biofuels.
Indians form the largest group of international students in Germany
Indian student numbers in Germany continue to be on the rise. With 42,997 students, which is a 26% rise within a year, Indians students are now the largest international community in German universities. The most preferred subject field is engineering, followed by law, management studies, mathematics and natural sciences. The total number of international students in Germany has grown by 3.7%. Ambassador Ackermann was pleased to announce this information and said, “42000 students from India in Germany is a great achievement, which has been realised much faster than expected. Germany is extremely popular among Indian students, and Indian students are popular in Germany.”
Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck visits Friedrich Naumann Foundation
The Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom, South Asia, and the German Embassy in India orchestrated a discussion aimed at fostering international collaboration. This distinguished gathering united pivotal stakeholders from FNF South Asia and esteemed Members of Parliament from the German Bundestag during their visit to Delhi in July. With the adept facilitation of Frank Hoffmann and Himanshu Chawla, a discerning platform was provided to engage with our expansive network, encompassing notable individuals such as Nikita Singla from BRIEF, Lavish Bhandari, Mukesh Gulati from FMC, and Dr. Medha Bisht from South Asian University. The discussions revolved around geopolitics and climate change, delving into the intricacies of shaping future energy markets. This event served as a testament not only to their unwavering dedication to steering towards a more sustainable future but also underscores the robustness of the Indo-German partnership.
Upcoming events and conferences
Panel Discussion on Germany as a FinTech Hub in the Heart of Europe
On September 6, German Embassy together with Global Fintech Fest and DWIH New Delhi is organising a panel discussion in Mumbai on setting regulatory standards for a unified financial framework and Germany as a Fintech hub in Europe. Experts from German Federal Ministry of Finance, Deutsche Bundesbank, DWIH as well as Fintech start-ups from India and Germany will discuss the regulations and support structures from Germany. They will also throw light on the challenges faced by Fintech start-ups while going international. This panel discussion will be a part of the Global FinTech Fest.
Web Talk Series: Alumni for SDG on SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-being
DAAD New Delhi and DAAD Jakarta are organising a web talk series on the Sustainable Development Goals 3 from August 22-24. Experts from India, Indonesia and Thailand will explore the intersections of SDG 3 with various essential areas aiming to create a healthier and more sustainable world for everyone. The topics that will be covered are, namely, universal health coverage, biodiversity and nutrition as well as different dimensions of human health and well-being.
DAAD Events
Chennai: PhD Proposal Writing Workshop
Open for Master students / PhD aspirants of Engineering and Natural Sciences
August 18, 2:00 PM, CSIR-SERC, Chennai 600113
Web Session: Funding Opportunities for Academicians, Researchers and DAAD Alumni
Open for academicians, researchers and DAAD Alumni. Inviting professors, scientists, researchers and DAAD alumni for an informative session on various DAAD funding schemes for the region. The presentation will be followed by an interactive Q&A.
August 21, 3:00 PM, Online
Web Session: Bachelors in Germany
Join this web session and find out all you need to know about doing a Bachelor degree in Germany. Get your questions answered too.
August 22, 3:00 PM, Online
Web Session: Master & PhD Scholarships
Get all information about Masters and PhD scholarships from DAAD in this web session.
August 23, 3:00 PM, Online
Web Session: Pre-Departure Briefing for Germany-bound Students
Open for students who have a German university admission for 2023 Sep/Oct intake
August 23, 3:00 PM, Online
Chennai: PhD Opportunities in Germany & DAAD Scholarships
Open for students and faculty of IIT Madras
August 23, 4:00 PM, Hall II, ICSR building, IIT Madras
New Delhi: Study in Germany
You attended the online web session and still have questions? Students will we guided for Bachelors, Masters and PhD studies in Germany. This will be followed by a Q&A session.
August 24, 3:30 PM, DAAD New Delhi Office, 1 Africa Avenue, DLTA Complex, New Delhi, Delhi 110029
Web Session: Q&A about DAAD Scholarships
If you have any questions about scholarships from DAAD, here is your chance to get them answered.
August 30, 3:00 PM, Online
Chennai: Pre-Departure Meet
Open for students who have a German university admission and have initiated the visa process for the 2023 Sep/Oct intake.
August 31, 3:00 PM, Online
Calls for proposals
MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships Call 2023
The Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Postdoctoral Fellowships 2023 Call is now open for applications for Indian and European researchers. These grants will enhance the creative and innovative potential of researchers holding a PhD and wishing to acquire new skills through advanced training and international, interdisciplinary, and inter-sectoral mobility. The call will also allow organisations all over the world to attract talented researchers, including top universities, research centres, public and private organisations as well as medium-sized enterprises. This fellowship program provides opportunities for Indian researchers to pursue postdoctoral research in Europe, while also allowing European researchers to be hosted at Indian institutes. It is open to all fields, including Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM), Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH), and Economics.
Application deadline: September 13, 2023
Call for proposals for Max Planck Partner Groups
Max Planck Partner Groups are intended for outstanding junior scientists or postdocs who have obtained their doctorate no longer than ten years ago (medicine: nine years). They must have spent a minimum of 12 months at an MPI before returning to a research institution in their home country. Partner Groups are supported for up to five years with €20,000 p.a. provided from MPG central funds.
Application deadline: September 15, 2023
International PhD program on Earth System Modelling
The International Max-Planck Research School on Earth System Modelling (IMPRS-ESM) is offering several PhD positions to outstanding students in the field of interdisciplinary climate research. It is a joint programme by the Max Planck Institute for Meteorology and the University of Hamburg. The programme is open to applicants holding a Master’s degree in physics, geophysical sciences (including meteorology and oceanography), ecology, mathematics, computer science, engineering, economics, or political science.
Application deadline: September 15, 2023
The German Chancellor Fellowship for Indian professionals
The Alexander von Humboldt Foundation invites applications from Indian young professionals from a wide range of fields such as politics, business, media, public administration, society and culture. The Fellowship for prospective leaders offers talented young professionals an opportunity to spend a year in Germany, which they can use to advance their professional training and conduct together with their German host a project they have developed themselves.
Application deadline: October 15, 2023
Max Planck-India Mobility Grant (MPIMG)
Max Planck India Mobility Grants are a distinction awarded to highly qualified Indian scientists who should be in their final year of doctorate or have obtained their doctorate no longer than ten years ago. MPIMG are awarded for three years enabling the candidates to initiate and pursue research links to a Max Planck Institute of their choice. Candidates have the right to visit a Max Planck Institute (MPI) for a minimum of one month per year. Former Max Planck Partner Group Heads and former Max Planck India Mobility Grant Holders are not eligible to apply for this grant.
Applications are on a rolling basis throughout the year.
Institute of the month
Alexander von Humboldt Foundation
The Alexander von Humboldt Foundation was founded in 1953. 30,000 researchers worldwide belong to the Humboldt Foundation network. It includes sponsorship recipients and alumni from more than 140 countries, including 59 Nobel Laureates. The Foundation promotes academic cooperation between excellent scientists and scholars from abroad and from Germany, irrespective of academic discipline and nationality. It promotes international understanding, scientific progress and development. The Humboldt Network helps internationalise the German academic and research landscape and contributes to German foreign cultural and educational policy beyond academic cooperation. The Humboldt Foundation is financed by the Federal Foreign Office, the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, the Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development, the Federal Ministry for the Environment and Consumer Protection and the European Union.
Great women in Science
Prof. Dr. Dr. Monique M.B. Breteler
Prof. Dr. Dr. Monique M.B. Breteler is the Director of Population Health Sciences at the University of Bonn. Prior to this she was the Professor of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston. She is best known of her research in internal medicine, dementia, Rotterdam Study, and strokes. She frequently studies issues relating to Endocrinology and Internal medicine. She interconnects Alzheimer's disease, Epidemiology, Gerontology and Cohort in the investigation of issues within Dementia. She has also won many awards and laurels in her field.
Did you know?
Universities in Germany welcome international students from all over the world which account for approximately 12% of the total number of students in Germany.