India and Norway collaborations – Immense Opportunities in Research & Innovation & Higher Education

No. PR- 064 June 18, 2021 New Delhi India and Norway collaborations – Immense Opportunities in Research & Innovation & Higher Education The new Indian education policy has given autonomy to students to learn whatever they want based on their areas of interest. The examination is based on outcomes. Norway has the opportunity to come to India in the areas of research and innovation helping India to inculcate the global culture mentioned Prof. M P Poonia, Vice Chairman, All India Council for Technical Education, Ministry of Education, Govt of India. He highlighted the strengths of Norway and India in various sectors in session on Dialogue between Norway and India for synergistic collaborations in Higher Education, S&T, and Innovation organized by PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry in partnership with Royal Norwegian Embassy in New Delhi, Royal Norwegian Consulate General in Mumbai and Innovation Norway, India. Ms. Pia Solli Sellereite, Director General (acting), Ministry of Education and Research, Govt. of Norway highlighted the growing opportunities for Norway in India in various sectors. She also mentioned that India is an essential partner for Norway and mentioned two important Norwegian strategies “Norway – India 2030” strategy for cooperation with India and Panorama strategy. We need to strengthen the India-Norway partnership in the areas of cooperation in research, innovation, and higher education; ocean; climate; energy and environment. We need to increase interaction in research, innovation, and education between each other at the government and business levels. She mentioned that the collaboration between industry and academia has always been important, but we need to explore more opportunities in this field. Mr. Arne Jan Flølo, Consul General at Royal Norwegian Consulate General in Mumbai discussed bilateral ties between India and Norway. He mentioned that Norway has strength in research, and the Norwegian government has identified priority areas including seas and oceans, climate, environment, and clean energy, enabling technologies, innovating and adaptable industries, and world-leading academic groups. He also mentioned that India and Norway are working together in the field of research, higher education, and collaboration, but there are still more untapped opportunities to explore. We are also trying to see how we can strengthen the link to the business communities to simulate possible synergies and cooperation. Mr. Sanjay Aggarwal, President, PHDCCI in his presidential address deliberated about the importance of education and internationalization of higher education which is the need of the hour. Norway universities are well known for their excellent research and innovation, providing an appropriate ecosystem for stimulating quality education to promote international collaboration in higher education. He discussed the relationship shared between India and Norway for a long time based on mutual trust and partnership in various sectors. He mentioned that India understands the need for quality high education and internationalization of education will help in enhancing the quality education at the same time giving students access to international exposure. The new education policy is an attempt to leverage India’s strengths to build an effective education system in education, he said. Prof. M P Poonia mentioned that on yearly basis, many students go to different countries for higher education. We should encourage students from other countries to come and study in India so that our strength towards education travels around the globe. Talking about the different initiatives undertaken by the Indian government in education, he mentioned that we need to leverage these developments and initiatives by passing them to other parts of the world. Indian students and teachers need exposure to other parts of the world. Dr. Kristin Danielsen, Executive Director, International and the research system from the Research Council of Norway has mentioned several bilateral initiatives with India and encouraged this initiative to move forward towards enhancement of Indo-Norwegian collaboration through bilateral and multilateral cooperation. She also highlighted the integration of Indo-Norwegian research cooperation in the Research Council’s programmes and activities and enhances research collaboration with India. Dr. Hilde Elin Haaland-Kramer, Head of the Section at Norwegian Agency for International Cooperation and Quality Enhancement in Higher Education mentioned several on goings programs, which can be used to strengthen ongoing cooperation and future collaborations between Norway and India. Mr. Sanjeev K Varshney, Head, International Cooperation, Ministry of Science and Technology, Govt. of India while talking about various programs undertaken by the ministry, mentioned that the ministry is working on various programs with Research Council of Norway and would like to extend participation in other European Nations. The ministry is working on a supercomputing mission, integrated cyber clinic systems, quantum science technology, and many more. Dr. Mohit Gambhir, Innovation Director, Ministry of Education, Govt. of India mentioned apart from education, we need to explore opportunities in Norway in the areas of Electric Vehicles, Healthcare, Innovation, and Research. He emphasized that Norway can have collaborated with India in providing solutions in various fields which will help to harness the youth and provide opportunities to both nations. Dr. Sushil Chandra, Scientist G, DRDO, Ministry of Defence, Govt. of India opined that cross disciplines need to happen between both nations in sectors like AI, IoT, and many more. We need to have work on higher-order thinking skills and human computing skills. Dr. V M Bansal, Chair, Education Committee, PHDCCI in his industry address mentioned the importance of getting international institutions into India which will provide several opportunities in the Indian market. India now offers a lot of opportunities to the world looking at the bold step undertaken by the government to develop and strengthen our economy and partnering will countries that will provide a win-win situation to both nations. Domain experts in the Panel discussion – Opportunities and Way Forward led by Dr. V M Bansal, Chair, Education Committee, PHDCCI and Dr. Maan Singh Sidhu, Counsellor for Science, Technology and Higher Education, Royal Norwegian Embassy in Delhi highlighted the huge potential and collaborations in multiple sectors. The domain experts included Prof. Dr. Siri Granum Carson, Director NTNU Oceans, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Norway; Associate Professor Dr. Stina Torjesen, University of Agder (UiA), Norway; Dr. Rubina Mittal, Co-Chair, Education Committee, PHDCCI; Dr. Harvinder Popli, Co-Chair, Education Committee, PHDCCI; Ms. Sonali Jain, Co-Chair, Education Committee, PHDCCI and Dr. Sushil Chandra, Scientist G, DRDO, Ministry of Defence, Govt. of India. The session was moderated by Dr. Jatinder Singh, Director, PHDCCI, and was attended by many industry and academic stalwarts around the world. PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s session was supported by DLF India; Multani Pharmaceuticals Ltd; UFLEX Ltd; JK Tyre & industries ltd; Marble City; Paramount Cables ltd; SMC Investments and Advisors Limited; Blossom Kochhar Aroma Magic; Comtech Interio; DCM Shriram Industries Ltd; Radico Khaitan ltd; Ajit Industries Pvt Ltd; Synergy Environics Ltd; Timberworkz and IFFCO. End Media Division PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry