Wiss-Nama Newsletter

WISS-NAMA is the newsletter of the Science and Technology Department of the German Embassy, New Delhi. The title is a combination of a German and an Indian word: WISS, an abbreviation of the German word 'Wissenschaft' (meaning science), and NAMA, a word used in Sanskrit and Persian contexts, standing for 'compendium' or 'handbook'.

News from Indo-German cooperation

Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and GIZ ink an agreement to build environment-friendly and climate-friendly industrial development

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Government of India and the Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, signed an Implementation Agreement for a new Indo-German Development Cooperation project on “Sustainable Environment-friendly Industrial Production” (SEIP) on June 16, 2016. The agreement was signed by Mr. A.K. Mehta, Joint Secretary (International Cooperation) MoEFCC and Dr. Wolfgang Hannig, Country Director, GIZ India, in the presence of Ms. Susanne Dorasil, Counsellor / Head of Department (Economic Cooperation and Development) from the German Embassy. The duration will be three years and the German contribution to the project is up to EUR 5,000,000 (approx. 37 Crores INR).

Read more

Heidelberg Centre South Asia organizes four workshops on Smart Cities in India

Under the umbrella of the German House for Research and Innovation (DWIH) in New Delhi, Heidelberg Centre South Asia will organize, coordinate and conduct four Indo-German workshops in India that focus on the potentials and the challenges of the concept of smart cities, entitled “Smart City: Infrastructure & Mobility in the 21st century”. The events are supported by Friedrich Naumann Foundation South Asia and are part of a series of pre-events leading to the DWIH annual conference CityScapes, which will take place between September 29th and October 1st, 2016 at India Habitat Centre, New Delhi.  The 2016 workshops will take place in Kolkata (August 9), Cochin (August 11), Pune (August 19) and Bangalore (September 16). Amongst co-partnering institutions from DWIH and collaborating institutions from India are: BayIND, Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT), University of Cologne, EU Science, Technology and Innovation, Fraunhofer India, GIZ, University of Göttingen, IIM Kolkata, IISER Pune, Indo-German Chamber of Commerce, Observer Research Foundation and School of Planning and Architecture. 

Read more

Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT) signs MoU with 5 European institutes

VIT University, Vellore, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to enter into academic and research cooperation with five top European institutions in Germany, Sweden, Ireland, including Technical University, Dresden, Leibniz University of Hannover, University of Applied Sciences, Darmstadt, Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm and Dublin City University for an exchange of faculty and students, conducting joint seminars, workshops, training programmes and conferences.

Read more

Highlights from Germany and India

Smriti Irani loses Education to Prakash Javadekar in Mega Cabinet Reset    

Smriti Irani is no more the country’s Education Minister. In a big cabinet reshuffle by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on July 5, 2016, Ms Irani has been moved out of the Human Resource Development (HRD) and Prakash Javadekar, promoted to cabinet rank, will hold the portfolio now. Smriti Irani has been moved to the Textile Ministry. One of the two State Ministers of MHRD, Ram Shankar Katheria, has also been removed. The successor of Katheria is Mahendra Nath Pandey, who has immediately taken up as the State Minister for Higher Education. 

Read more  

India successfully tested its first-ever indigenous space shuttle as its scale model

India successfully tested its first-ever swadeshi or indigenous space shuttle on May 23, 2016 as its scale model - the Re-Usable Launch Vehicle - Technology Demonstrator or RLV-TD. It was launched from Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh. Nearly 20 minutes after its lift-off, the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) announced, "mission accomplished". Reusable technology aims to help to reduce the cost of launching objects into space by 10 times. ISRO plans to test two more such prototypes before the final version. 

Read more

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) launches 20 satellites

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) launched 20 satellites through a single rocket, surpassing its 2008 record launching 10 satellites in a single mission. Besides the primary Cartosat-2 Series satellite, the PSLV C-34 rocket launched two satellites from Indian universities and 17 foreign satellites, including one for a Google company. Sathyabamast, the satellite of Sathyabama University in Chennai, the Swayam satellite of the College of Engineering in Pune, LAPAN-A3 (Indonesia), BIROS (Germany), M3MSat (Canada), SkySat Gen2-1 (USA) amongst others. 

Read more

Upcoming events and conferences

The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) will be organizing a series of events for Indian students and researchers interested in pursuing studies or research in Germany and pre-departure meetings and webinars for students joining German Universities shortly.

Webinar - Master Programs Online M.Sc. Wind Energy systems and M.Sc. Solar Energy Engineering

July 14, 15:00 hrs

This webinar will provide an overview of the programmes Online M.Sc. Wind Energy systems and M.Sc. Solar Energy Engineering offered by the University of Kassel and University of Freiburg. Fraunhofer, as the largest organization for applied science in Europe participates in both programs with their expertise through their world‘s leading scientists at the Fraunhofer Institute for Wind Energy and Energy System Technology IWES and Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy ISE.

To register

Webinar: PhD in Germany: Finding a PhD Guide

July 20, 15:00 hrs

The German doctorate enjoys an outstanding reputation in all disciplines. The number of foreign students registering themselves for a PhD has more than doubled in the last 12 years. The webinar will acquaint the participants with the research scenario and life in Germany, and offer tips about finding a PhD/research supervisor.

To register :

Webinar: Study and Research in Germany

July 28, 15:00 hrs

Every year, thousands of international students and scholars choose to study in Germany.  The webinar will acquaint the participants with the study and research scenario in Germany, university system, life in Germany etc. The webinar will include a special interactive session with Vignesh Ramani, who studied Automation & Robotics from TU Dortmund and is a Young Ambassador of the DAAD.

To register

Pre-Departure Meet

A Pre-Departure Meet is organized for the students travelling to Germany for research.

Bangalore: July 29, 10:30 hrs, 1st Floor, Auditorium, Goethe Institute, CMH Road, Indiranagar 1st Stage, Bangalore

Higher Studies & Research Opportunities in Germany

Chennai: July 13, 11:00 hrs, DAAD IC Chennai, 20/10 Jaganathan Road, Nungambakkam, Chennai

Study and Research in Germany

Mumbai: July 18, 13:15 hrs, Library, 1st Floor, Goethe Institut, K. Dubash Marg, Kala Ghoda, Fort, Mumbai

Pre-Departure Session – Campus Life in Germany

The Deputy Consul General of Germany will give the participants tips on campus life in Germany.

Mumbai: August 1, 14:00 hrs, Library, 1st Floor, Goethe Institut, K. Dubash Marg, Kala Ghoda, Fort, Mumbai

Study and Research in Germany

New Delhi: July 12, 15:00 hrs, German House, 2, Nyaya Marg, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi

Pre-Departure Meet

Pune: July 30, 9:30 hrs, Mondkar Hall, S. M. Joshi Foundation, S.No. 191/192, Navi Peth, Ganjave Chowk, Near Patrakar Bhavan, Pune 411030

Research in Germany and Proposal Writing Workshop

Pune: August 13, 9:30 hrs, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Pashan Road, Pune

Read more

Calls for Proposals: Funding Opportunities and Scholarships

Online M.Sc. Wind Energy Systems

The Online M.Sc. Wind Energy Systems is offered by the University of Kassel. Fraunhofer, as the largest organization for applied science in Europe participates in this program with the expertise of their world‘s leading scientists at the Fraunhofer Institute for Wind Energy and Energy System Technology IWES. In this part-time 100% distance learning program students will engage in the technology and engineering of wind power plants. The teaching language is English. The program is designed for students who would like to combine study and work. The next batch starts in October 2016

Application deadline: July 15, 2016

Read more

Research & Innovation Cooperation between DBT and the EU under Horizon 2020

The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and the European Commission (EC) will jointly fund certain India – EU collaborative projects under Horizon 2020 (H2020). Indian researchers, enterprises, research institutions and universities will be able to team up with their European partners to participate in projects under H2020 and make best use of Europe’s excellent opportunities in research and innovation. In addition to the topics eligible for DBT funding under the Co-Funding Mechanism, Indian participation is welcomed in all calls for proposals of Horizon 2020. 

Read more

S&T Call 2016 - Biobased energy

Applications are invited for Indian-European collaborative research and technological development projects in the field of “Biobased energy” with a specific focus on ‘Biofuels’ and ‘from waste to energy’. Consortia that wish to apply for funding of a research project within the above mentioned topics, have to consist of at least three partners: two from different European countries participating in the call, and one from India. Countries participating in the Call are India, Belgium (Wallonia - Brussels Federation), Estonia, Finland, Germany, Latvia.

Application deadline: July 12, 2016

Read more

Innovation Call 2016 on Bioeconomy

The aim of the INNO INDIGO Partnership Programme (IPP) is to support high quality research, development and innovation projects involving partners from Europe and India. The INNO INDIGO calls for proposals target existing contacts to foster collaborations and initiate new ones. The objective is to pave the way for long-lasting cooperation between STI organisations from the European Research Area (ERA) and India. Consortia that wish to apply for funding of a research project have to consist of at least three partners: two from different European countries participating in the call, and one from India. Countries participating in the Call are India, France, Germany, Norway and Spain. 

Application deadline: August 31, 2016

Read more

Falling Walls Labs 2016 in Pune

The Call for Applications for Falling Labs India 2016 is now open. German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), German House for Innovation and Research (DWIH) New Delhi and Indian Institute of Science and Education and Research (IISER) Pune are hosting this year’s Falling Walls Lab with support of the Federal Foreign Office, Germany. The Lab will take place at IISER Pune September 24 in Pune. The Falling Walls Lab gives innovative young minds the opportunity to present their research project, business plan, entrepreneurial or social initiative that is relevant to the world of today to a panel of eminent jury and general public. The winner of the Lab qualifies and gets funded to participate in the Lab Finale in Berlin on 8 November 2016 as one of 100 international and interdisciplinary participants. 

Application deadline: August 12, 2016

Read more

The German House for Research and Innovation - DWIH New Delhi announces Poster Competition

The German House for Research and Innovation - DWIH New Delhi invites entries for a Poster Competition for scholars pursuing Masters or above and working professionals, who are graduate or above. The poster size should be 80 cm x 100 cm and suggested topics are Cities and Migration: A sociological perspective, for sustainable Peri-Urban India, mapping human skills, smart energy and construction, climate and environment, cyber security, Smart Cities: industry perspective. The best entries will be invited to participate in the DWIH Conference, which is scheduled from September 29 to October 1, 2016 in Delhi. 

Application deadline: August 17, 2016

Read more

Competition Flyer

Alexander von Humboldt Foundation for German Chancellor Fellowship

Alexander von Humboldt Foundation invites applications from young professionals from wide range of fields such as politics, business, media, public administration, society and culture from Brazil, China, India, Russia and the USA. The Fellowship for prospective leaders offers up to 50 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: September 15, 2016

Read more

Max Planck Indian Partner Groups and Max Planck-India Mobility Grants for Junior scientists/postdoc and junior faculty

Max Planck Indian Partner Groups and Max Planck-India Mobility Grants invite applications for Junior scientists/post docs and junior faculty. For Max Planck Partner Groups candidates should be Indian scientists of proven excellence at maximum 38 years of age (on 1 January 2017) who have spent minimum 12 months at a Max-Planck Institute. MPG will allocate up to 20,000 EURO p.a. for up to 5 years for the Max Planck Partner Groups. Scientists who are awarded the Max Planck India Grants must spend a minimum of one month per year at a Max Planck Institute. The hosting Max Planck Institute will receive €3,000 per year for four years out of MPG central funds Qualified, promising Indian postdocs up to the age of 35 (on 1st January 2017) are eligible to be nominated for the Max Planck India Mobility Grants. 

Application deadline: September 16, 2016

Read more

PhD positions in Molecular and Chemical Ecology International Max Planck Research School

The International Max Planck Research School (IMPRS) "The Exploration of Ecological
Interactions with Molecular and Chemical Techniques" in Jena, Germany, invites applications for 4 PhD positions beginning in January 2017. The overarching research topic is the use of molecular, chemical and neuroethological techniques to experimentally explore ecological interactions under natural conditions. The main focus is on the relationship between plants, microbes and herbivores, and their environment, as well as the evolutionary and behavioral consequences of these interactions. 

Application deadline: August 19, 2016

Read more

The International Max Planck Research School on Earth System Modelling

The International Max Planck Research School on Earth System Modelling (IMPRS-ESM), located in Hamburg, Germany, offers fellowships to outstanding students interested in interdisciplinary climate research. Their doctoral candidates contribute to the understanding of the Earth system through the application, evaluation and development of a spectrum of Earth system models at different levels of complexity and at various spatial and temporal scales. Emphasizing the physical system, the School encompasses the broader field of Earth sciences, including economics and social sciences. The PhD program is open to applicants holding a Master’s degree (with written thesis) in physics, geophysical sciences (incl. meteorology and oceanography), chemistry, ecology, mathematics, computer science, engineering, economics, or political science. Also students currently still working on their MSc thesis are encouraged to apply.

Application deadline: September 15, 2016

Read more

Did You Know?

Newborns can bond to a "Mother" from a different species. Often all you need to do is stick around to convince a baby animal that you are its mother.

Please click on the link below to unsubscribe from the newsletter.