By Jyoti Singh (Twitter: @ashajyoti11)
New Delhi, December 17 (India Science Wire): To establish a framework for cooperation and for promotion and support of scientific and technological research Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS), France has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU). A team led by Director General, CSIR, DrShekhar C Mande met delegation from CNRS France, led by its President and CEO, Prof Antoine Petit.
The broad research areas of mutual interest include biotechnology including plant and marine biotechnology, health research, environment and climate change studies, engineering science and technology,material science and technology,energy science and technology and water research.This cooperation could include sharing good practices, promoting technology transfer and enhancing industry-academia cooperation.
In view of the potentially beneficial and synergistic cooperation possibilities for translating science into technology CSIR and CNRS may explore strengthening their cooperation to foster joint innovation and transfer of technologies applicable to India and France and to other nations.
DrShekhar C Mande, highlighted that India and France have been natural partners. He said that CSIR and CNRS have longstanding relations starting from 1975 and that CSIR labs Indian Institute of Chemical Technology and National Chemical Laboratory are currently implementing joint programs with CNRS, which have generated several joint publications, patents and Ph.Ds.
Prof A. Petit, Head of CNRS, said that CSIR is a valued and trusted partner and believes that MoU will boost the cooperation even further and contribute towards many critical areas such as health, water, energy and climate change among others and contribute towards addressing the global challenges.
Earlier also CSIR has signed MoUs with various organisations for fostering of science and technology. There is an ongoing agreement with ConsiglioNazionaleDelleRicerche (CNR), Italy; it is an ongoing joint project for organization of bilateralscientific and technical seminars andexchange of scientific and technicalinformation and documentation. For building and infrastructure, materials and chemistry and technology and society CSIR has inked one agreement with SINTEF Foundation,Trondheim, Norway. (India Science Wire)
