German Science Funding Body Sets up Centre in Hyderabad

Introduction

DFG, the German Research Foundation, has expanded its India presence with the formal launch of a Centre in Hyderabad on Sunday.

Dr Torsten Fischer, Director, DFG India said it is collaborating with the Department of Science and Technology on about 40 bilateral research projects in science and engineering currently . Two international research training groups have also been started at the University of Hyderabad.

DFG is funding projects to the tune of $8-9 million in India.

Exchange programme

DFG, along with the Indian National Science Academy, has also been running a programme where scientists from both countries exchange visits. So far, over 450 Indian scientists have been hosted in German Universities and research institutions, and about 150 German scientists in India.

Dr Fischer told Business Line that, according to a recent DFG study, nearly 20 per cent of work by Indian scientists, cited in international publications, has been co-written with Germans. Germans have even overtaken their British colleagues in this regard, he said. US, however, tops when it comes to collaborative research and publications.

Dr Fischer identified agricultural sciences, chemistry, material sciences, earth sciences and biotechnology as important fields in which joint research with India would be supported.

The Hyderabad Centre will house both the DFG and the Goethe-Zentrum offices. The Charge d'Affaires of the Federal Republic of Germany, Mr Cord Meier-Klodt; Mr Heiko Sievers, Regional Director, South Asia of the Goethe-Institute (Max Mueller Bhavan), New Delhi, and other dignitaries participated in the event.

Source

The Hindu Business Line, July 10, 2012