India’s research institutes need top level collaboration across the world

Subject: IR

Section: Places in news

Context:

While the Centre has announced the first set of recipients of a fellowship programme called Vaibhav (VAIshwik BHArtiya Vaigyanik), the premise of the initiative remains intriguing.

About VAIBHAV Fellowship Scheme

The VAIBHAV Fellowship aims at improving the research ecosystem of India’s Higher Educational and Scientific Institutions by facilitating academic and research collaborations between Indian Institutions and the best institutions in the world through mobility of faculty/researchers from overseas institutions to India.
It is implemented by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Ministry of Science and Technology.

Key Features of the VAIBHAV Fellowship Programme:

Knowledge Verticals: The programme will focus on 18 identified knowledge verticals, including quantum technology, health, pharmaceuticals, electronics, agriculture, energy, computer sciences, and material sciences, among others.
Eligibility: The fellowship is open to outstanding scientists and technologists of Indian origin (Non-resident Indians (NRI)/ Persons of Indian Origin (PIO)/Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) who are actively engaged in research activities in their respective countries.
Collaboration Duration: Selected fellows will have the opportunity to work in collaboration with Indian Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs), universities, and public-funded scientific institutions.
They may spend up to two months per year, for a maximum of three years, at an Indian institution of their choice.
Fellowship Grant: VAIBHAV fellows will receive a monthly fellowship grant of INR 4,00,000, which will support their research activities during the collaboration period.
Travel, Accommodation, and Contingencies: The fellowship will cover international and domestic travel expenses, accommodation, and contingencies, ensuring a conducive research environment for the fellows.

VAJRA Faculty Scheme

Ministry: Ministry of Science and Technology
VAJRA stands for Visiting Advanced Joint Research
Scheme enables NRIs and overseas scientific community to participate and contribute to research and development in India.

Scheme:

The Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), a Statutory body of the Department of Science and Technology will implement the Scheme.
Foreign researchers of Indian origin or otherwise can collaborate with faculties in public funded Indian institutions.
The researchers would receive endowments at par with those in their own countries. They would be given USD 15,000 in the first month of residency and USD 10,000, for the remaining months.
The scheme would promote broad areas of research like energy, health, advance material among others.
Public funded academic institutions and national laboratories will be eligible for hosting the VAJRA Faculty.
The VAJRA faculty can reside in India for a minimum of 1 month and a maximum of 3 months a year.

What are the Other Government Initiatives involving Overseas Indian?

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) is celebrated on 9th January every year to mark the contribution of the Overseas Indian community in the development of India.
Know India Program (KIP) is a flagship initiative of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) for diaspora engagement which familiarises Indian-origin youth (18-30 years) with their Indian roots and contemporary India.