United Kingdom And India Sign Landmark Research Agreement
<p>Following a meeting between Indian Minister of State for research and Technology Dr. Jitendra Singh and UK Science Minister George Freeman, the two countries will today (April 26) sign a historic agreement to collaborate on research and innovation.Also Read: Marengo CIMS Hospital celebrates the successful recovery of Gujarat’s first-ever bilateral lung transplant patientThe two nations will sign a memorandum of understanding on research that will allow for quicker, deeper collaboration on scientific issues. This will spur economic growth, produce skilled jobs, and enhance living conditions in the UK, India, and other countries.The deal would reduce the red tape that prevents large-scale partnerships from occurring while also launching a slew of new joint research initiatives that aim to make progress on some of the most pressing global concerns, including AI and machine learning.Programmes include the initiation of the first-ever UK-India scientific deep sea mission and the creation o</p>
07:49 PM Apr 26, 2023 IST
Following a meeting between Indian Minister of State for research and Technology Dr. Jitendra Singh and UK Science Minister George Freeman, the two countries will today (April 26) sign a historic agreement to collaborate on research and innovation.
The two nations will sign a memorandum of understanding on research that will allow for quicker, deeper collaboration on scientific issues. This will spur economic growth, produce skilled jobs, and enhance living conditions in the UK, India, and other countries.
The deal would reduce the red tape that prevents large-scale partnerships from occurring while also launching a slew of new joint research initiatives that aim to make progress on some of the most pressing global concerns, including AI and machine learning.
Programmes include the initiation of the first-ever UK-India scientific deep sea mission and the creation of a new UK-India Net Zero Innovation Virtual Centre focussing on industrial decarbonization.
“India is rapidly building on its phenomenal software and innovation sectors to become a global powerhouse in science and technology,” said George Freeman, Minister of State for the Department for Science, Innovation, and Technology.
“Our extensive trade and cultural ties, our shared democratic values and interest in pressing global issues, from green technology and agricultural technology to biosecurity and pandemic preparedness, give us a very strong platform for deepening scientific cooperation.
“Today’s agreement is part of our program to deepen the UK’s collaboration with other global research powers on breakthrough innovation and research to help meet shared global challenges. This partnership will grow the sectors, businesses and jobs of tomorrow, benefiting both our countries and the world”
Alex Ellis, British High Commissioner to India, said: “The UK and India are leading science nations and research partners from the seabed to space – through agriculture, health, decarbonisation and artificial intelligence.
“Today’s landmark agreement is another big step in delivering the UK-India 2030 Roadmap. We’ll continue to bring our brightest minds and best tech together to forge a prosperous, clean and healthy fourth industrial revolution for future generations.”
The UK is committed to working with partners around the world to produce world-class science and research. In addition to this important agreement, today’s announcement sees India as a partner in the UK’s International Research Partnership Fund, continuing the UK-India research partnership established through the Newton-Bhabha Fund. This renewed partnership begins with two new joint UK-India research programmes:
· The UK’s funding is £5 million with India to research farm animal diseases and health
· £3.3 million in UK-India funding for the Technology and Skills Partnership Program to enable UK and Indian researchers to develop skills, technologies and expertise in areas such as artificial intelligence, machine learning and bioimaging.
Other UK-India agreements at the Science and Innovation Council today include:
· Creation of UK and India Net Zero Innovation Virtual Hub, home to Hydrogen Valley and Industrial Decarbonisation Living Lab to help decarbonise production and transport
· Several joint research applications from the UK Department of Research and Innovation (UKRI) and the Department of Science and Technology (DST), India, including the Sustainable Development and Soil Threats programs
· Intention to start a partnership to reduce carbon dioxide emissions in the Indian pharmaceutical and fine chemical industry
· UK-India University Partnership Programme, including the Sustainable Biofuels Partnership Program between Aston University and CSIR Dehradun.
· Fourth Annual Meeting (and Second Personal Meeting) at RS/INSA Yusuf Hamied Program. The purpose of the program is to promote relationships and exchange of knowledge between British and Indian researchers.
Collaborative activities under the Memorandum of Understanding are supported by joint funding from both sides and funding for each program is determined on a case-by-case basis between the UK and India.
NOTES TO EDITORS:
Other agreements between UK and Indian R&I institutions include:
10 new UK and Indian fisheries research grants funded
Other UK-Indian university partnerships, including one between Imperial College and ICMR on pandemic and TB eradication modelling
A study of the use of UK state-of-the-art technology for disease detection in shrimp aquaculture
A partnership to use data to identify harmful algal blooms affecting our oceans
Partnership to predict, detect and stop invasive alien species destroying farmers’ crops in South India
A portal of marketed medicinal plants from India developed by Royal Botanic Gardens (RBG) Kew and TDU Bangalore
A joint PhD program between the University of Manchester and the Indian Institute of Science
Annual dialogue between the British Science Museums Group and the National Council of Science Museums of India
“Twin Cities” UK-Indian Seabed Partnership between Aberystwyth, Wales and Puducherry, India Joint PhD program between the University of Manchester and the Indian Institute of Science
.