Lok Sabha Question No. 181 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-02-24
Subject: Molecular Biology Organisation Treaty
Ministry: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: ARJUN RAM  MEGHWAL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT OF BIOTECHNOLOGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 181

## MOLECULAR BIOLOGY ORGANISATION TREATY

## 181 . SHRI ARJUN MEGHWAL:

Will the Minister of SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY be pleased t0 state:

- (a) Whether the Government has signed the molecular biology organisation agreement;
- (c) whether India is likely to benefit after becoming & member of the European Molecular Biology Organisalion; and
- (d) if so. the details thereof"?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND EARTH SCIENCES (YS CHOWDARY)

- (a) Yes; Madam: The department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology has signed & Memorandum Of agreement with European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO) and European Molecular Biology Conference (EMBC) on November 9, 2015.
- 46) (c) The objective of the co-operation between India; EMBC and EMBO is aimed al inereasing scientilic exchange betweea India and EMBC Member States: EMBO/EMBC being a leadership group will help India with research transnational resources; capacity building  training and leadership & brand building:

The EMBO is an organization that promoles excellence in the molecular life sciences in Europe: EMBO trains and networks thousand of scientists every The EMBO membership includes some in Europe   and  represents 4 dynamic cross-section of the lile   sciences community

Within EMBO is also European Molecular   Biology Conference (EMBC) EMBC intergovernmental organization comprising 27 Member States, which are: Austria, Belgium; Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark , Estonia, Finland, France, Germany; Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland. Spain. Sweden, Switzerland. Turkey and United Kingdom

EMBC promotes & strong transnational approach t0 improve quality research in life sciences: EMBC supports & wide range of EMBO activities. EMBC was founded in 1969 to support and finance the actions of' EMBO and more structured access to the experlise to EMBO Members:

In order t0 and avail this rich of scientific excellence. India has become a EMBC Associate Member; By the Associate member State, DBT would provide nominal fees to be member state which will in turn provide access t0 capacity and expertise of EMBO with very well laid out activities like: pool tap being

- EMBO fellowships
- EMBO Science Policy
- EMBO Courses and Workshops
- EMBO Global Activities, Meetings and Publications

## More concretely. in EMBC India could apply t0 all of EMBO $ programme including:

- Post-doctoral fellowships; within EMBC and Associate EMBC Member States or cooperation stales:
- investigators; gaining access t0 the network of the best young scientists in Europe and cooperation states: Young
- Short-term   fellowships;   gaining access and the   latest technologies; Courses and workshops; to host scientific events in India:
- Installation grants, atracting scientists t0 establish research groups in India:

Apart from able to access all the programmes listed at (b) abd (c) above; EMBO also helps young scientists to advance their research. promote their international reputations and ensure research and offer training in techniques t0 maintain high standards of excellence in research practice: EMBO helps to shape science\_policy by seeking input and feedback from our community and by following closely the trends in science in Europe and the world With such partnerships\_ India also opens its doors as a potential host country for postdoctoral researchers. being foreign