New SFI- funded Programme to Promote Research and Education in Science and Technology in India

Posted on: 10 October 2013

A new Science Foundation Ireland-funded programme, the International Strategic Cooperation Award (ISCA) that will promote Ireland’s research and education in science and technology in India was announced this week [October 8th] at a special reception hosted in Trinity College Dublin. Her Excellency the Ambassador of India to Ireland Ms Radhika L Lokesh as well as representatives from Irish higher education institutions were in attendance at the event.

Trinity College Dublin is leading the ISCA India Consortium under the direction of Trinity Dean of Research, Professor Vincent Cahill and Professor of Neurogenetics, Mani Ramaswami. Other Irish institutions involved are Cork Institute of Technology (CIT), Dublin City University (DCU), Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT), National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG) and University College Cork (UCC). The consortium of Irish higher education institutions will provide a coordinated national approach to promote Ireland´s scientific and technological research and education in India. It will also highlight Ireland’s attractiveness as an international research partner. The programme will develop research and educational links between the two countries in all areas of mutual interest that lie within the remit of SFI which has provided €715,000 in funding. In addition to stimulating specific collaborations, showcase events and workshops will be organised in both countries to provide a platform for the exchange of ideas and the development of joint innovative proposals.

Professor Mark Ferguson, Director General of Science Foundation Ireland said: “This partnership will create new opportunities to promote and link research and scientific activities with Indian institutions. A core element of SFI’s Agenda 2020 is to build international partnerships that generate excellent science and deliver economic and societal benefits both nationally and internationally. These collaborative research initiatives will have a positive impact on scientific research in both Ireland and India.”

The collaboration aims:

to increase the impact of Irish and Indian research through synergy of scale and engagement of complementary expertise;
to increase access to non-exchequer funds for both countries from international (EU-Horizon 2020) and private sources
to increase entry of high-skilled Indian students and scientists in Irish R&D;
to promote Ireland as a desirable place for education, research and technology;
to increase communication and improved relationships between the two countries.

“Trinity College is delighted to lead this consortium and to welcomes our partner institutions as well as the Indian Ambassador in launching this new India ISCA programme that will build on our links in science, technology and education with India,” said Professor Vinny Cahill, Dean of Research at Trinity.

The announcement of the new programme coincided with a visit from students from India’s Lady Shri Ram College for Women (LSR) to Trinity. LSR forms part of the University of Delhi and is India’s premier college for arts and education. Trinity established formal links with LSR in November 2012 when a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the two universities. As part of their visit, a team from Trinity’s student debating Historical Society went head-to-head with LSR on the motion “This House Wonders What The British Have Ever Done For Us”. The Indian students who opposed the motion won the debate.

For media queries, contact College Press Officer, Caoimhe Ní Lochlainn, communications@tcd.ie/ tel: +353-1- 8962310/ +353 -(0)87-9958014