India, Germany to launch AI initiatives

The Indo-German Science and Technology Centre (IGSTC) on May 3, 2022, proposed a plan to set up artificial intelligence initiatives focusing on healthcare and sustainability.

IGSTC is a joint initiative by the Department of Science & Technology (DST), GoI, and the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), Government of Germany, to facilitate Indo-German research and development. 

In a meeting held in Berlin yesterday, Union Minister for Science & Technology Jitendra Singh, alongside the president of DFG (German Research Foundation) Katja Becker in Berlin yesterday, lauded the partnership and remarkable strides both the countries have achieved in the recent past. The meeting also included other eminent advisors, scientists and researchers from both countries. 

Throwing light on various initiatives, Singh said that India has launched several initiatives and programmes under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Some of them include Quantum Technologies, Cyber-Physical System, Future Manufacturing, Deep Ocean Mining, Green Hydrogen Fuel, etc. He said that both GoI and DFG could explore various areas to work together in solving societal challenges. 

Further, he suggested both countries should start Collaborative Research Centres focused on high-end science topics. 

Key highlights 

• International Research Training Groups (IRTG) program focuses on capacity building, targeting the training of Indian and German students for pursuing Ph D programmes. 
• Plans to launch various proposals both from Indian and German research groups.
• India and DFG agreed to cooperate in funding research projects and strengthen the relationship between both parties. 
• The duo agreed to amalgamate IRTG programmes with other scientific departments.
• Proposals in toxicology to be launched in September 2022. 
• New initiatives to be launched related to gender equality. 
• Both the countries agreed to work on data protection regulations for scientific research funding.