Lok Sabha Question No. 1317 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-12-14
Subject: Co-operation in Science and Technology
Ministry: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: Rajendra Dhedya  Gavit

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 1317

TO BE ANSWERED ON 14.12.2022

## CO-OPERATION IN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

1317.  SHRI RAJENDRA DHEDYA GAVIT:

Will  the  Minister of SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY ͪव£ान और Ĥौɮयोͬगकȧ

मंğी be pleased to state

- (a) whether India  and  Canada  are  likely  to  sign  MoU  in  the  field  of science and technology for extending mutual co-operation in various fields of specialization;
- (b) if  so,  the  major  areas  in  which  such  co-operation  is  likely  to  be extended;
- (c) whether any review of the ongoing programmes between the two countries in science and technology sectors has been undertaken; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof along with the outcome of the review and the areas wherein the progress could not be found satisfactory?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND EARTH SCIENCES (DR. JITENDRA SINGH)

ͪव£ान और Ĥौɮयोͬगकȧ तथा पृ Øवी ͪव£ान मंğालय क े राÏय मंğी ( èवतंğ Ĥभार) (डॉ . िजतɅġ ͧसंह)

- (a) Government of India and Government of Canada signed an intergovernmental  agreement  for  cooperation  in  Science  &  Technology  at Toronto, Canada on 18 November 2005.

Department of Science & Technology (DST), Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and Innovative Multidisciplinary Partnerships to Accelerate Transformation  and  Sustainability  (IC  IMPACTS)  &  National  Research Council  (NRC)  are  the  nodal  implementing  agencies  from  the  Indian  and Canadian sides, respectively.

In  pursuance of the above-mentioned agreement, DST has concluded the

MOUs  with  few  Canadian  agencies  namely,  a)  Natural  Sciences  and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) and b) National Research Council (NRC) for academic R&D  and Industrial Research & Development, respectively. Both these MoUs were renewed in May 2022 for next 03 years. Along with DST, DBT has also signed the MOU with NSERC in May 2022.

National  Centre  for  Polar  and  Ocean  Research  (NCPOR),  an  autonomous Institute of Ministry of Earth Sciences, has a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC)  signed  in  2020  with  the  Canadian  High  Arctic  Research  Station (CHARS) of Polar Knowledge (POLAR) Canada for cooperation in the area of polar research.

- (b) The areas of S&T cooperation vary in each call depending upon the national priorities and scientific interests. The areas agreed under these MoUs for next three years are (i) Safe and Sustainable Infrastructure; (ii) Integrated Water Management; (iii) Health, Energy and Agritech; and other areas they may jointly decide upon by the DST and DBT in consultation with NSERC and NRC.

National  Centre  for  Polar  and  Ocean  Research  (NCPOR),  an  autonomous Institute of Ministry of Earth Sciences collaborates with CHARS in the area of polar research.

- (c) Reviews are being done from time to time through India Canada Joint Science & Technology Committee meetings. The last review was held during India Canada Joint S&T Committee Meeting held on 19th May 2022.
- (d) As outcomes of cooperation, both sides focus on the development and  implementation  of  community-based  solutions  in  integrated  water management, safe and sustainable infrastructure, public health, and food security.  Since  2016,  DST/DBT  and  IC-IMPACTS  have  provided  financial support  to  joint  India-Canada  projects.  Under  these  projects,  a  various research publications and patents were emerged out. A significant number of manpower was trained and several workshops were attended.

Also,  through  this  cooperation,  both  sides  are  encouraging  translational research  and  development  in  areas  of  Affordable  Healthcare,  Clean Technologies, Water Technologies, Information & Communication Technology and Electronic System Design & Manufacturing.

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