Embassy of India, Berlin
Press Release
Indo-German Science and Technology partnership gathers momentum

Ambassador, Gurjit Singh in his welcome address at the 8thIndo-German Frontiers of Engineering Symposia mentioned that the Indo-German Science and Technology Partnership is an important aspect in bringing the two countries closer to each other. The (INDOGFOE - a series of interdisciplinary, binational conferences which are co-organized by the Indian Department of Science and Technology (DST) and the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation) was a very visible example of this growing partnership. The meeting was inaugurated on May 19th by Ambassador Gurjit Singh and the President of the Humboldt Foundation, Prof Helmut Schwarz in Potsdam on 19th May 2016.

The Symposium brings together outstanding, early-career German and Indian engineers and natural scientists from industry, universities, and research institutions to discuss and share knowledge and evolve new ideas of research for the future.

Conferences are held annually, typically alternating between Germany and India, with about 30 scientists from each country participating. An organizing committee comprised of German and Indian engineers and natural scientists develops the program for the event. Co-chairs for 2016 INDOGFOE meetings are Dr. Julian Schwenzel, Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technology and New Materials (IFAM), Bremen and Prof. Sandeep Verma, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur. The areas covered at the 2016 INDOGFOE symposium are Energy Harvesting, Exploring Length Scales in Biomechanics, Smart Materials and Bio-inspired Systems, and Urban Systems.

The President of the Humboldt Foundation in his opening address asked the participants to go beyond the cultural boundaries and to be inspired by the broad range of topics that would be discussed during the conference. Science and Scientific Research should not only involve personal curiosity and longing for answers to scientific dilemmas but should alsopenetrate the community and culture. He encouraged the scientists to view current scientific queries from a new perspective and have the courage to think out of the box. Alexander von Humboldt Foundation is proud to note that the collaboration with India can be ranked as one of the best and there has been very good collaboration through the connect programme even after the conference.

Ambassador Gurjit Singh encouraged the researchers to find novel and practical solutions to the problems of today. Germany and India may have different Geopolitical configuration, but both countries have a leading regional role to play to make the world better and peaceful for everyone. His own experience as the Representative of India to the African Unionunder the Pan African e-network project had made him realize that modern technology like Telemedicine and E-education could help nations to come together. A symposium of this type should bring forth new ideas and new ways of thinking. The Ambassador also said that it was very encouraging to see that Researchers from different disciplines and institutions from India were represented at the symposium.

Representatives from the various IITs, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Indian Institute of Science, National Chemical Laboratory, Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine were present for the Symposium.