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Wiss-Nama Newsletter July 2025
News from Indo-German Cooperation
IIT Bhilai and University of Siegen ink MoU to launch joint sensor research hub to strengthen Indo-German academic ties
IIT Bhilai and the University of Siegen, Germany, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance academic and research collaboration. The partnership will focus on joint research, academic exchange, and collaborative projects, with a special emphasis on establishing a Joint Centre on “Sensors” at IIT Bhilai. This centre will drive cutting-edge research in sensor technologies, managed by experts from both institutions. The MoU was signed at the University of Siegen, with Dr. Ramanuj Banerjee from the Indian Embassy in Germany praising the initiative. Professor Rajiv Prakash, Director of IIT Bhilai, highlighted the benefits for students and researchers, offering global exposure and access to advanced infrastructure. The collaboration is expected to foster interdisciplinary research and contribute to advancements in fields like healthcare, smart infrastructure, and environmental monitoring.
Indo-German workshop on “Quantum Technologies – Computing, Connectivity and Security (QTCCS)” at SASTRA University, Thanjavur.
A three-day Indo-German workshop on “Quantum Technologies – Computing, Connectivity and Security (QTCCS)” was held at SASTRA University, Thanjavur in May 2025. The event, organized in collaboration with Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Germany, brought together top experts from India and Germany in quantum science and technology. The workshop aimed to foster international collaboration in this rapidly evolving field. Funded by the Indo-German Science and Technology Centre (IGSTC), the workshop was inaugurated by Saquib Shaikh, scientific officer at IGSTC, with a keynote by Kamal K. Agarwal, Deputy Director General of Quantum Technology at Telecommunication Engineering Centre, India. During the event, a quantum-based OTP generator product, named SAKURA-Q, was launched, designed by Padmapriya, an associate professor at SASTRA University. The workshop featured 15 prominent speakers from Germany and India, focusing on the shift from classical to quantum computing, connectivity, and security. Discussions included the feasibility of using nanomaterials for qubits, quantum algorithms, real-time applications, and the integration of quantum technologies in machine learning. The event concluded with an emphasis on strengthening Indo-German collaboration, highlighting the importance of future research alliances.
Upcoming events and conferences
Innovators Connect – Tandem 2025
DWIH New Delhi and its partner incubators are organising a two weeks immersion programme in Hyderabad, Bhubaneshwar and Bengaluru from November 3 to 14 for young researchers interested in start-up founding and early-stage start-up founders from India and Germany ‘Innovators Connect – Tandem’. The programme will include design thinking workshops, information sessions, mentoring, networking sessions, lab visits and more. 30 participants will be hosted at partner incubators in India. They will work in teams for problem-solving, developing new ideas and their technology development, and get exposure to start-up and innovation ecosystems of India and Germany.
DAAD Events
Web Session: Bachelors in Germany
Join this web session to know more about doing Bachelor’s in Germany and get your questions answered too.
July 8, 2025, 3:00 PM, Online
Online Pre-Departure Session
Open for students with admission to a German university for winter semester 2025 – 2026. This event will provide insights, tips, and networking opportunities for your new academic life in Germany.
July 14, 2025, 3:00 PM, Online
Web Session: Masters in Germany
Join this web session to know more about doing Masters in Germany and get your questions answered too.
July 15, 2025, 3:00 PM, Online
Web Session: PhD in Germany
Join this web session to know more about doing a PhD in Germany and get your questions answered too.
July 22, 2025, 3:00 PM, Online
Online Session with German Universities
Learn more about study opportunities in the fields of IT and Engineering in Germany and interact with representatives of University of Köln and HS Hof.
July 23, 2025, 3:00 PM, Online
My Student Journey - Yudhajeet and Shivangi share their Story
Dr Yudhajeet Basak, currently a PostDoc Researcher at Institute of Biochemistry, Goethe University, Frankfurt and Shivangi Aney, currently a working professional at Hitachi Energy (R&D Engineer) and pursuing PhD at the University of Stuttgart share their story about to how to study in Germany. Get your questions answered too.
July 30, 2025, 3:00 PM, Online
Calls for proposals
EMBO Lecture Courses in India
European Molecular Biology Organisation (EMBO) funds up to six lecture courses per year in India. The aim of a lecture course is to teach participants, primarily PhD students and postdoctoral researchers. The course should provide participants with background and underlying concepts, thereby making the topic accessible to scientists with diverse scientific background. EMBO Lecture courses may also include practical training. Organizers are encouraged to consider covering scientific writing, job applications, presentation skills or grant application writing.
Application deadline: July 1, 2025
Multiple Short-Term Fellowships at ICAS-MP for the Academic Year July 2026–June 2027
The M.S. Merian – R. Tagore International Centre of Advanced Studies (ICAS:MP) invites applications for fellowships for the academic year July 2026–June 2027. The project, funded by the German Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR), is based in New Delhi but welcomes research from beyond India and South Asia. Fellowships are available for Postdoc and Senior researchers working on the following themes: Working Group ‘Theory from the South’, Thematic Group ‘Constructing Alternative Pasts: (New) Sources and Methods’, Thematic Group ‘The Challenge of Gender’ and Thematic Group ‘Normative Conflicts and Transformations: South Asian Perspectives’. The fellowship supports research that focuses on comparison, translation, multilinguality, and decolonized theoretical perspectives. Applicants must have at least one year of post-PhD experience by the start date. Fellowships are for up to five months and are open to researchers worldwide, with a preference for those based in German or Indian academic institutions.
Application deadline: July 15, 2025
Open Call for Indo-German Bilateral Workshops
The Indo-German Science & Technology Centre (IGSTC) invites proposals for organising Indo-German workshops on areas of mutual interest with an aim towards creating platforms for substantive interactions between scientists / researchers from academia and industry. The workshops have to take place in India or in Germany and to be designed around a specific research topic out of thematic areas relevant to both DST and BMBF (now BMFTR), which includes the thematic areas of 2+2 project calls. Any other relevant topics of very high importance may also be considered. Proposals with a potential for generating follow up activities including joint projects are preferred. Training workshops as well as meetings between two institutions do not fall under the scope of this call. Persons holding regular positions in public or private non-profit research organisations, institutions of higher education and universities are eligible to submit applications. The application should be submitted by the coordinating host institution / coordinator.
Application deadline: July 31, 2025
Max Planck Postdoc Program
The Max Planck Postdoc Program offers early career researchers a range of benefits to help advance their scientific careers. These include, a guaranteed contract of at least three years, a targeted mentoring program with mentors from other institutes or industry, a career workshop within two years to explore options in science, industry, or entrepreneurship, access to career development and coaching from the Planck Academy and high-quality mentoring and supervision guidelines. The program introduces a new recruitment procedure with positions advertised collectively twice a year for six weeks, aligning with international standards and the typical timing of postdocs completing their degrees.
Application deadline: September 1, 2025
Call for nominations in 2025 for Max Planck Partner Groups
Max Planck Society is inviting applications from outstanding junior scientists or postdocs who have obtained their doctorate no longer than seven years ago (medicine: nine years) for their Max Planck Partner Groups. Researchers must have spent a minimum of 6 to 12 months at an MPI and, at the time of nomination, hold or are expected to hold a position at a research institution, ideally in their home country. Partner Groups are supported for up to five years with €20,000 p.a. provided from MPG central funds. There are currently 88 active Partner Groups worldwide, with a total of 260 ever established. Partner groups serve to jointly promote young scientists worldwide and to strengthen scientific excellence at the respective foreign research institutions and universities. They enable collaboration in research areas that are innovative, scientifically promising, geared to the future and mutual interest both to the MPI and to the international partner institution.
Application deadline: September 18, 2025
Indo-German Funding Opportunity for Joint Research Projects in the field of Social Science Research
In pursuance of the MoU signed between the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR) and the German Research Foundation (DFG) Germany, proposals for joint Indo-German academic research projects in the field of Social Sciences and Humanities are invited. Proposals submitted by teams of principal investigators with some initial cooperation experiences are welcome. The objective of this programme is to promote and strengthen the research cooperation in the field of Social Sciences and Humanities between the two countries, by providing funding to allow joint research activities for internationally excellent research in relevant areas of mutual interest and benefit. This is a co-funding mechanism for the support of joint research projects between ICSSR and DFG. Applicants must be permanently employed in a research or academic position in a recognized research or academic institution – either publicly funded university/college, deemed universities recognized by the UGC or a publicly funded research institute or ICSSR research institutes/recognized institutes. They must also hold a PhD or equivalent qualification and have an interest in high quality research which may be evident by past studies, publications and academic background.
The collaboration opportunity will be open throughout the year with no deadline.
Consolidator Grants: ERC awards €678m in grants to back excellent research across Europe
The European Research Council (ERC) has awarded its 2024 Consolidator Grants to 328 researchers across Europe. These grants, totalling €678 million, aim to support outstanding scientists and scholars as they establish their independent research teams and develop their most promising scientific ideas. The funding is provided through the EU’s Horizon Europe programme. The grants will support scientific projects spanning all disciplines of research from engineering to life sciences to humanities. Researchers of any nationality with 7-12 years of experience since completion of PhD, a scientific track record showing great promise and an excellent research proposal can apply. Research must be conducted in a public or private research organisation (known as a Host Institution/HI). It could be the HI where the applicant already works, or any other HI located in one of the EU Member States or associated countries.
Campus Conversations
As a new feature we bring to you, a short interview with the representatives of various German and Indian universities, institutes and science organisations.
University of Cologne
Q. 1 Could you please tell us about your role at the University of Cologne’s India office and how it contributes to the university’s global outreach efforts?
Ans. The India Office Director represents the University of Cologne's scientists, aligning with its strategy and working with Indian partners to implement it. Guidance offered to students and parents is based on in-depth knowledge of the University of Cologne’s academic structure and admission processes.
Q 2. The University of Cologne is known for its diverse academic programs and research initiatives. Tell us more about them.
Ans. The University of Cologne, one of Germany’s largest universities with around 40,000 students, is a member of the German U15 and was a University of Excellence (2012–2019). It consistently ranks among the top 20 German universities worldwide. It has six faculties offering 137-degree programs in the fields of Management, Law, Medicine, Arts and Humanities, Natural Sciences, and Human Sciences. The University of Cologne was awarded funding in 2025 for five Clusters of Excellence for the next seven years- CECAD (aging research), CEPLAS (plant sciences), DYNAVERSE (astrophysics), ECONtribute (economics/public policy), and ML4Q (quantum information), and is home to 5 Nobel Laureates, 11 Leibniz Prize winners, and other prestigious awardees.
Q 3. What are some of the key highlights of the university that Indian students should know about?
Ans. Indian students can benefit from the following unique opportunities:
(a) The University of Cologne exclusively offers Studienstart International, a free of charge closely supervised one-semester introductory program for non-EU undergraduate students, which includes further training of German language skills, intercultural seminars, individual and academic preparation. In addition, Studienstart International plus is our alternative to the Studienkolleg where applicants can achieve a subject-specific direct university admission.
(b) University of Cologne has more than 88 University Partnership worldwide and more than 500 faculty active exchange. Indian students can benefit from the international network for further exchange who study in Cologne.
Q 4. What specific opportunities does the University of Cologne offer for Indian students in terms of scholarships, research collaborations, or exchange programs? Do you have MoUs with any Indian universities or institutes?
Ans. (a) MoUs with Indian Institutions: The University of Cologne has signed MoUs with over 20 leading Indian institutions including the Indian Institute of Management, Indian Institute of Technology, Jawaharlal Nehru University, Indian Institute of Science Education & Research Bangalore, Bharati Vidyapeeth University, National Law School of India University Bangalore, etc. These MoUs support academic, research, and student exchange partnerships.
(b) Cologne Summer School: Eligible students from Indian partner universities can attend fully funded Cologne Summer Schools each year.
Q 5. Are there any new developments or new initiatives can Indian students expect from the University of Cologne in the coming months/years?
Ans. At present, University of Cologne offers more than 40 English taught Master programs covering almost all the natural sciences subjects, management and economics, and the number is increasing.
Contact: Dr. Amisha Jain (Ph.D. Law)
Head of Regional Office – India & South Asia (co-coordinator South East Asia), Division 9 - International Affairs
E-Mail: amisha.jain@uni-koeln.de
Did you know?
There are a total of 137,700 German students pursuing their education abroad.