Welcome
Wiss-Nama Newsletter March 2024
News from Indo-German cooperation
Workshop on science communication
Communication is a crucial part of today’s world of social media. Educational videos play an important role in the lives of students. For advancing this science communication, German Embassy, along with UNESCO, organised a day-long hybrid workshop on science communication at the German School on January 27. One of Germany’s biggest educational youtubers, Rob Bubble, shared his tips and tricks of the trade on how to find interesting scientific and educational topics, how to shoot videos and how to grow your social media channel. During the workshop the participants were divided into groups and created their own short reels and videos. Through his guidance, the participants delved into the intricacies of discovering captivating subjects, mastering video production and fostering a social media presence. The presentation was followed by a very interactive Q&A session, which enriched a dynamic exchange of ideas and skills.
IGCS Winter School at IIT Madras
The annual winter school of the Indo-German Centre for Sustainability (IGCS) started on February 20 at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras in Chennai. Meanwhile, a delegation from RWTH Aachen University, led by Rector Prof. Ulrich Ruediger, visited the IIT to meet Director Kamakoti Veezhinathan and discuss Indo-German science cooperation. The Consul General Ms. Michaela Kuechler and the DAAD Regional Office Director Dr. Katja Lasch also joined the meeting. The visit coincided with a joint alumni event organized by RWTH Aachen University, IIT Madras, and IGCS. The event, which was inaugurated by the Consul General, Director Kamakoti, and Rector Ruediger, allowed the alumni to connect with each other. An IGCS-expert panel also elaborated on the topic: “Regenerating Cities: Issues of Resilience” followed by an engaging discussion with the audience.
ICAS:MP and German Embassy host a lecture on bodybuilding
On February 20, the German Embassy in New Delhi, in collaboration with M.S. Merian – R. Tagore International Centre of Advanced Studies ‘Metamorphoses of the Political’ (ICAS:MP) hosted a lecture titled “Bodybuilding and Muscular Manliness – Towards a Global History.” Delivered by Sebastian Conrad, Professor of Modern History, Freie Universität Berlin, the event took place at the German Embassy Delhi. The speaker was introduced by Ambassador Dr Philipp Ackermann. Professor Conrad’s lecture explored the origins of bodybuilding in the 1890s and its subsequent international journey. At the dawn of the 20th century, bodybuilding surfaced as an innovative approach to body culture. Its global appeal, characterized by the pursuit of both strength and beautiful bodies, was famously demonstrated through Eugen Sandow's global tour, who is celebrated as the pioneer of contemporary bodybuilding. The event attracted a diverse audience, demonstrating widespread interest in the subject matter across different fields and backgrounds. The lecture was followed by a reception, allowing attendees to network and discuss the themes of the talk in a more informal setting.
Scientific Lecture by renowned German virologist at the German Embassy
Heidelberg University in cooperation with the German Embassy organised “Scientific Lecture” by the renowned virologist and cell biologist, Prof. Dr. Ralf Bartenschlager, Medical Faculty, Heidelberg University on February 21. In his talk titled, “Comparative analysis of the replication cycle of RNA viruses and use of gained knowledge for the development of antiviral therapy”, Prof. Bartenschlager summarized some aspects of the replication cycles of selected positive-sense RNA viruses, focusing on the replication organelle and the mechanisms how it is formed. He used hepatitis C virus and dengue virus as prime examples to show how blocking the formation of this organelle suppresses virus replication, thus providing a novel concept of antiviral therapy that has become a cornerstone in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C. The well received lecture had participation from subject experts and young scholars from reputed institutes from Delhi NCR, and industry representatives working on drug therapy. The institutional visits and the lecture had some combined positive outcomes, such as scientific cooperation and exchange requests.
Upcoming events and conferences
Incubators Connect 2.0: Innovation and Internationalisation
DWIH New Delhi is organising a weeklong programme in Delhi and Bangalore from February 26 to March 1, 2024. Incubators Connect 2.0 will have directors and managers of incubators and select funding agencies from India and Germany to discuss internationalisation of incubators. The event will have workshops, meetings, institutional visits and networking with policy advisors and key stakeholders, including those from research industry, in the research-based entrepreneurship ecosystem in India. The aim is to identify formats and themes for international cooperation between incubators.
DAAD Events
Study & Research in Germany
Chennai: Students will be guided about Bachelors, Masters and PhD studies in Germany. This will be followed by an interactive Q & A time.
March 6, 4:00 PM, Auditorium, Goethe-Institut/Max Mueller Bhavan, No 4 Rutland Gate 5th Street, Chennai 600006.
Web Session: Bachelors in Germany
Get to know all about doing a Bachelors in Germany.
March 7, 3:00 PM, Online
Web Session: PhD in Germany
Get to know all about doing a PhD in Germany.
March 18, 3:00 PM, Online
Study in Germany
The DAAD New Delhi office is conducting an in-person Study in Germany information session where students will be guided for Bachelor, Master and PhD studies in Germany. This will be followed by a Q&A session.
New Delhi: March 22, 3:00 PM, DAAD Regional Office New Delhi, 1 Africa Avenue, DLTA Complex, New Delhi 110029
Study in Germany - Bachelors, Masters and PhD
An in-person session on Study in Germany. Students and researchers will be guided about Bachelors, Masters and PhD opportunities in Germany – Eligibility criteria, types of universities, application procedure, research landscape, visa procedures etc.
Bengaluru: March 26, 3:00 PM, Indo German Chamber of Commerce, 403 Shah Sultan, 4th Floor, Cunningham Road, Bengaluru 560052
Read more and register: https://www.daad.in/en/event/bengaluru-study-in-germany-bachelors-masters-and-phd-3/
Calls for proposal
IGSTC paired fellowship for early career researchers
IGSTC has launched the PECFAR (Paired Early Career Fellowship in Applied Research) programme that supports a pair of early career researchers to have a short visit to India/Germany for networking and exploring new avenues for collaboration in applied research. It is an excellent opportunity to start a career in research & innovation in a bilateral setup. A dedicated matchmaking platform has been established for interested researchers. Covered topics include Waste to Wealth and Sustainable Packaging.
Application deadline: March 31, 2024
IGSTC Industrial Fellowships 2024
IGSTC is inviting applications for availing Industrial Fellowships. This programme is aimed at encouraging PhD students/researchers in S&T with an appreciable track record and aptitude for applied research and technology development. Fellowships are offered at two levels: PhD Industrial Exposure Fellowship (PIEF), for young researchers who have completed one year of PhD course in Science/Engineering from India and are below 28 yrs of age are eligible. The duration of the Fellowship is up to six months. Post Doctoral Industrial Fellowship (PDIF) for fresh PhDs in Science/Engineering from Indian institutes/universities below 35 yrs of age and within 2 years of completion of PhDs are eligible. The duration of this fellowship is 12 months. Applicants would need to identify the industry/industrial research organisation in Germany and have to submit consent letters from the host industry in Germany and their mentor from India.
Application deadline: March 31, 2024
Re-Invitation Programme for Former Scholarship Holders 2024
DAAD is inviting applications for short-term research stays for former scholarship holders. The aim of this programme is to enable former DAAD scholarship holders to carry out research and working projects in Germany and to maintain contacts as part of DAAD’s global alumni network. Holders of DAAD research grants or study scholarships and have been funded for than six months by the Foreign Office are eligible to apply. The programme provides funding for research and working projects at state or state-recognised institutions of higher education or non-university research institutes in Germany.
Application Deadline: 3 April 2023
Research Stays for University Academics and Scientists 2024
DAAD is inviting applications for short-term research stays for university teachers and scientists from all subject fields. The aim of this programme is to support short-term research stays and thus promote the exchange of experience and networking amongst colleagues. The programme offers DAAD grants for scientists and academics who wish to carry out research and continue their education at the request of a scientific host in Germany. University teachers and established academics and scientists who have completed their doctoral degree and work at a university or research institute are eligible to apply.
Deadline: 3 April 2024
Applications for Lise Meitner Research Group
The Max Planck Society is inviting motivated applicants to apply for tenure-track Lise Meitner Research Group Leader positions. The appointments will be made in partnership with suitable Max Planck Institutes according to the applicants’ research topics. With the LME Program, the MPG aims to attract and promote the careers of outstanding female scientists who are at an early stage of their scientific career and have a documented track record of independent and innovative research. The purpose of the Lise Meitner Excellence Program is to increase the number of excellent women scientists in the Max Planck Society. Therefore, the program primarily focuses on the recruitment of outstanding women scientists, though it is open to all applicants.
Application deadline: April 10, 2024
Call for proposal for an interdisciplinary symposium on Precarious Water Futures and the End(s) of World(s) – an Integrative Dialogue Across Disciplines and Societies
Käte Hamburger Centre for Apocalyptic and Post-Apocalyptic Studies (CAPAS), Heidelberg University, together with ICAS:MP, the School of Environmental Sciences (SES), Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India, the Rachel Carson Centre (RCC), Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Germany, and the South Asia Institute (SAI), Heidelberg University, is organising an interdisciplinary symposium on Precarious Water Futures and the End(s) of World(s) – an Integrative Dialogue Across Disciplines and Societies from November 13-16, 2024. Individual paper, panel proposals or posters from scholars from all disciplines in the humanities, social and natural sciences and engineering are invited. The theme of the presentation will be water and different perspectives on water.
Application deadline: April 15, 2024
5 PhD positions in Molecular and Chemical Ecology and Evolution
The International Max Planck Research School (IMPRS) “Chemical Communication in Ecological Systems” in Jena, Germany, invites applications for 5 PhD positions beginning in September 2024 – January 2025. The research topic is the use of molecular, chemical and neurobiological techniques to experimentally explore ecological interactions under natural conditions. The main focus is on the relationship between plants, microbes and herbivores, and their environment, as well as the evolutionary and behavioural consequences of these interactions. Applicants must have obtained their masters or equivalent degree in one these fields, namely, entomology, neurobiology, molecular biology, biochemistry, analytical chemistry, plant physiology, genetics, ecology, evolutionary biology, bioinformatics, and mathematics and computer science.
Application deadline: April 19, 2024
Max Planck-India Mobility Grant (MPIMG)
Max Planck India Mobility Grants are a distinction awarded to highly qualified Indian scientists who should be in their final year of doctorate or have obtained their doctorate no longer than ten years ago. MPIMG are awarded for three years enabling the candidates to initiate and pursue research links to a Max Planck Institute of their choice. Candidates have the right to visit a Max Planck Institute (MPI) for a minimum of one month per year. Former Max Planck Partner Group Heads and former Max Planck India Mobility Grant Holders are not eligible to apply for this grant.
Applications are on a rolling basis throughout the year.
IGSTC launches WISER programme 2024
The Indo-German Science & Technology Centre (IGSTC) launched Women Involvement in Science and Engineering Research – WISER programme for the year 2024. This scheme allows women researchers in India and Germany to participate and collaborate in an ongoing research project in the other country without applying for fresh project grant in partnering countries. With this low-threshold offer for female scientists, WISER intends to build scientific capacity, retain and promote women researchers in India and Germany. Women researchers holding a regular position in academic/research institutions/industrial research organisations in India or Germany are eligible to apply.
Applications are considered on a rolling basis.
Institute of the month
Ludwig-Maximilian University
Ludwig-Maximilian university is one of the leading research universities in Europe. Founded in 1472, it is committed to the highest international standards of excellence in research and teaching. It maintains more than 600 cooperation agreements with partner universities around the globe. Students from more than 130 countries are a part of the university. A total of 52,418 total students were enrolled in the winter semester 2022/23. LMU got 307 million euros as sponsored research funds to support research and teaching in 2022. LMU’s faculty and students have carried out research across borders. It offers more than 300 degree programmes, namely master’s, double degree, and doctoral, and many of them are taught in English. In 2023, it was ranked at 38 globally in the Times Higher Education Rankings.
Great women in science
Muthayya Vanitha
Mutthaya Vanitha is an Indian electronics system engineer who has led projects on satellites at the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO). She was the project director of the Chandrayaan-2 lunar mission of the ISRO. She has worked at the ISRO for 32 years now and has worked tirelessly to give India the privilege of being remembered as the fourth country in the world to make a highly challenging soft-landing on the Moon. She originally studied to be a design engineer, but her first job at ISRO was that of the junior-most engineer. At a junior level, she assisted in making hardware, designing, developing and then reached a managerial position. Later, she was appointed as the project director of the telemetry and telecom divisions in the Digital Systems Group at ISRO Satellite Centre. Before heading the historical mission, Vanitha also worked as the deputy project director for TTC-baseband systems for Cartosat-1, Oceansat-2 and Megha-Tropiques satellites.
Did you know?
The total number of students in higher education institutions in Germany is currently 2.8 million.