Joint Press Release on the Occasion of Signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Science and       Engineering Research Council (SERC), Department of Science and Technology (DST) and Indo-US Science and       Technology Forum (IUSSTF) for Indo-US Centers of Research Excellence in Science and Engineering and Indo-US       Research Fellowship


      DST PARTNERS WITH IUSSTF TO ANNOUNCE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF INDO-US CENTERS OF RESEARCH       EXELLENCE IN SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING AND ALSO LAUNCH OF INDO-US RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP       PROGRAM.

      Date: 23 August 2007, New Delhi
      Time: 11:30 am


      Contact:
      Smriti Trikha, Indo-US Science & Technology Forum, New Delhi
      Email:strikha@indousstf.org

      DST Spokesperson

      Venkatesh Rao Aiyagari
      Head & Advisor
      Science and Engineering Research Council (SERC), Department of Science and Technology (DST), New Delhi 
      

      Indo- US Science and Technology Forum Spokesperson

      Arabinda Mitra
      Executive Director
      Indo-US Science & Technology Forum, New Delhi
       
      Key Message:

      Both SERC and IUSSTF are committed to the common goal of promoting science and technology through devised       programs and to nurture contacts between scientists and technologists at an early career stage. The dynamic       exchange of knowledge and information with premier institutions in both the US and India through devised       programs will create sustainable, long-term networks that are in the interest of both Indian and American scientific       institutions. An allocation of Rs. 20 crores (US $ 5 m) has been made to implement the Indo -  US Centers of       Research Excellence in Science and Engineering and Indo-US Research Fellowship Program.

      The Memorandum of Understanding was signed by Dr. V. Rao Aiyagari, Head Advisor, Science and Engineering       Research Council (SERC), Department of Science and Technology (DST) and Dr. Arabinda Mitra Executive Director,       Indo-US Science and Technology Forum (IUSSTF) on 23 August 2007 at New Delhi in the presence of Dr. T.       Ramasami, Secretary, DST & Co-chair IUSSTF. Also present on occasion were Prof. V.S. Ramamurthy, former DST       Secretary and Chairman, Board of Governors, IIT, Delhi and senior officials from DST, CSIR, ICMR etc.

      The objective of the joint SERC-IUSSTF programs is to:

         Strengthen and expand the knowledge base of Indian scientist and scientific institutions

         Encourage scientists in Indian academia & scientific intuitions to interact with the American scientificcommunity             to build long-term sustainable linkages

         Create Indo-US Centers of Research Excellence in Science and Engineering through experiencing and practicing            research of the highest world standard.

         Create opportunity for Indian scientists to gain exposure and access to world class facilities and training in the            latest research techniques

        Promote research and capacity building in frontline areas of science & technology through mutual collaborations 


      Centers of Research Excellence in Science and Engineering

      The objective of Indo-US Centers of Research Excellence in Science and Engineering (Indo-US CRESE) Program is       to provide resources to enhance the research capabilities of scientific institutions in India through active collaboration with American scientific institutions. These centers will provide a unique opportunity to Indian scientific institutions to closely collaborate with selected US scientific institutions on research projects in key emerging areas of science and engineering. The centers will contribute significantly towards the development of new knowledge, and lead to enhancement of the research productivity of scientific institutions.


      These centers will enable Indian and American scientists from academia and laboratories (both public and non       governmental) to carry out joint research activity by leveraging already existing infrastructure and funding available with the partners at both sides. The funds will be provided to the Indian partners to build state-of art facilities to carry out the research activity under the centre with the broader aims to encourage joint project  implementation on focal areas of thematic and knowledge research through active collaboration, paving way to sustainable interactions by promoting excellence and developing long term relationship based on synergy of activities. Centre may also create a framework of opportunities for integrating research with education. Three Indo-US Centers of Research Excellence in emerging areas of science and engineering at academic institution will be established.


      Indo-US Research Fellowship for Indian Researchers

      The objective of the Indo-US Research Fellowship Program for Indian Researchers is to introduce scientists and       engineers in the early stages of their careers to international collaborative research opportunities, thereby  furthering their research capacity and global perspective and forging long-term relationships with scientists, technologists and engineers abroad. These awards will provide an excellent opportunity to 25 young Indian scientists and technologists of all disciplines, under the age of 40 years to interact with the American scientific community and get first hand information of the developments taking place at the international level and acquaint themselves with new scientific research methods or to complete a larger ;research project. It will enable young Indian researchers to carry out a clearly defined research project at a place of their choice in USA upto a period of 12 months.