A statement was issued by the Government of India on Monday (August 10,2020) following a Virtual conference organized by the India-Canada Centre for Innovative Multidisciplinary Partnership to Accelerate Community Transformation and Sustainability (IC-IMPACTS) on August 6. The statement highlighted the discussion between India and Canada to increase corporation in science and technology by strengthening existing international relations, sharing best practices, and initiating new collaborations between government and institution.
In the meeting, detailed presentations were made on bilateral activities and cooperation being followed under the Department of Science and Technology- Department of Biotechnology (DBT)-IC-Impacts program. According to the statement, DST International Cooperation Adviser and Head SK Varshney emphasized joint research in emerging sciences and highlighted its potential for making the research into a more profitable venture of social relevance.
DST Secretary Ashutosh Sharma while discussing the importance of Indo-Canadian science and technology cooperation said that, “Best practice in the areas of women in science, technology deployment, diversity in science, and STEM at schools could be shared between them, besides exploring new research in Artificial Intelligence, Quantum Sciences, and Electric Mobility”.
The statement mentions that "DST has been working with IC-IMPACTS for research partnerships since 2013. This partnership is aimed towards working hand-in-hand with communities in the two countries to develop community-based solutions for the most urgent needs".
IC-IMPACTS scientific director and CEO NemyBanthia informed that the IC-IMPACT has resulted in 1,129 publications, 63 bilateral research projects, 24 technology deployments, 352 partnerships, and 29 patents and technology disclosures. He also said that approximately 200 highly qualified Indian students and a large number of Canadian students, most of whom are masters, Ph.D., and post-doctoral fellows were trained under the IC-IMPACT.
The major focus areas of research cooperation under the IC-IMPACT are green buildings and smart cities; rescue management systems during emergencies; safe and sustainable infrastructure and proper medical aid for a health issue and other water-borne infectious diseases.
Projects implemented under this partnership have directly resulted in seven start-ups and the creation of many jobs for young graduates. Alejandro Adem, president of Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, also showed his enthusiasm for joint collaboration in applications ranging from quantum science, artificial intelligence to health sciences, the statement added.
