Germany & South Asia : 20 young Indian researchers for 60th Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting

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Germany & South Asia: Young Indian researchers interact with Nobel Laureate Martin Chalfie at the Meeting in 2009

20 young Indian researchers for 60th Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting

June 23, 2010

20 Indian students will be among the 673 young researchers participating at the 60th Annual Meeting of Nobel Laureates and students in Lindau, Germany. After the Lindau meeting, the young Indian scientists will be taken on a weeklong tour of German universities and research institutions by the German Research Foundation (DFG).

Since 2001, a group of around 25 young Indian researchers has been attending the Annual Nobel Laureate Meetings every year. The Indian participation is jointly sponsored and supported by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) of the Government of India, the Lindau Council and DFG. Till 2009, a total of 212 Indian students and young researchers have participated in this annual event. Of these, 159 are currently based in India, 32 in the USA, 10 in Germany, seven in various European countries and four in other parts of the world.

Lindau, on Lake Constance in Germany

Last year, India was the partner country and had a group of 43 researchers at the Lindau Meeting. India was the first international state to be designated partner for the meet. Indian Minister for Human Resource Development Kapil Sibal was inducted as a member of the Honorary Senate of the Lindau Foundation at the 2009 meeting.

After the Lindau meeting, the 20 Indian researchers will be taken on a weeklong tour of German universities and research institutions. Organised and supported by DFG, the tour from 5th – 9th July will cover Leipzig, Dresden, Jena and Bonn. The visits provide a unique opportunity for the young researchers to have first hand information and exposure to German research laboratories through discussions with faculty members as well as students.

Torsten Fischer, Director DFG India Office, feels that the contacts established during such visits are an investment for the future. By creating links now, the young scientists can capitalise on it once they are ready to carry out more serious research.

Indian Lindau Alumni Initiative
To network the Lindau Alumni, the DFG in India has initiated the Indian Lindau Alumni Forum. The students and young researchers who have participated in the Annual Nobel Laureates Meetings have joined this forum to share their experience and the impact of their participation at these meetings on their academic and research careers. A unique step taken by the Lindau Alumni in India is to promote science as a career option. They reach out to the young school children and encourage them to continue their studies in basic science streams.

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