India and Canada to Sign First Ever Umbrella Agreement on Science & Technology

India and Canada will sign a comprehensive agreement on science and technology later this year to give a boost to the research activities taking place in both the countries and to help the transfer of technologies from laboratories to the market place. Announcing this at a joint press conference with the Minister of Science and Technology, Shri. Kapil Sibal, here today, the Canadian High Commissioner to India, Ms. Lucie Edwards said that her country is going to sign such an 'umbrella agreement' with any country for the first time in last 25 years. She said, the agreement will encompass a wide range of areas from research to design, production, innovation and close interaction between the academia and the industry. The collaborations this year will focus on five themes- Earth Sciences and Disaster Mitigation keeping in view the Great Tsunami event of December 24, 2004; Environmental and Climate Change Technologies and Alternative Fuels, Information and Communications Technology, Nano-technology and Nano-science; Biotechnology, Health Research and Medical Devices. She also disclosed that the recently released Canadian International Policy Statement "paid significant attention to India as well as Science and Technology and suggested key initiatives to support partnerships in this sector with key markets, like India".

Canada to Showcase its Range of Innovations as Partner Country at this Year's Technology Summit

Shri. Sibal announced that Canada will be the partner country in this year's Technology Summit and Technology Platform to be held in New Delhi during September 21-22 and jointly hosted by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the Department of Science & Technology. He said that some of the best research institutions of Canada will participate at this summit and seek partnerships with Indian organisations. Shri. Sibal said that in this era of globalisation, the role of the Government is increasingly changing from that of a regulator to a facilitator.

Government to set up a "Young Innovators' Fund" to Encourage Young Scientists

Shri. Sibal felicitated four young innovators who have just returned from Malaysia after creating waves at the prestigious International Exhibition for Young Inventors organised by Malaysian Industrial Design Society (MINDS) in Kuala Lumpur from May 19-21, 2005.The young innovators are Vindhya Revathi Vyjayanti, Raghavendra G, Kunal Gaurav and Arpith. Vindhya R. Vyjayanthi was also given a special award by Japan Institute of Invention & Innovation for the most outstanding work displayed at the exhibition for her project on 'Co-relation of the radii of in-circle and circum-circle'.

Raghavendra G's project on 'Global Range Electronic Appliance Controller' (GREAC) drew much appreciation since it enables the user to control electrical appliances at home from anywhere in the world through an unanswered free call to a mobile phone at home.

Kunal Gaurav worked on 'Extraction of Thread from Banana Trunk', showing exemplary social and environmental responsibility in trying to find out how effectively banana extracted fibre can be used to make quality biodegradable fibre and neo-plastic.

Arpith Siromoney displayed astounding social consideration working on an improved wheel chair using the novel idea of caterpillar treads instead of wheels, much as a military tank does, so that the use can climb stairs and cover uneven surfaces.

Shri Sibal announced that the Government will soon set up a Young Innovators' Fund to encourage students to pursue their dream projects and research work on a long-term basis. The modalities of the fund is being worked out by the Department of Science & Technology.

Source : Ministry of Science & Technology
Date : May 26, 2005