Science and technology is the foundation on which any development is based on. A country cannot be pioneer in all aspects of the subject and needs assistance of other entities for development projects. Science and Technology (S&T) cooperation between nations is a good way to exchange expertise and come up with improved solutions which makes sense for businesses of both the countries.
Canada has always believed in forming international relations with countries all over the world in mutually beneficial agreements. It has a devoted funding program to help the projects with necessary finance and support.
The initiatives come under the International Science and Technology Partnerships Program of Canada. The $20 million five year program is geared at developing strong scientific and technological relationships with other countries.
Canada and India Science and Technology (S&T) Cooperation
India has been one of the earliest countries to cooperate with Canada since its independence in 1947. The efforts got a final shape in 2005 when the Canada-India Science and Technology Agreement was signed between Jim Peterson, International Trade Minister and Kapil Sibal, India’s State for Science and Technology and Ocean Development minister.
The agreement was made in a bid to expand the collaborative research and bring the researchers and innovators of the countries together. Many benefits like joint technological and scientific projects, exchange of information and experts will be facilitated by the cooperation.
The collaboration will team up the Indian and Canadian governments, researchers, businesses and universities and enable them to work closely to deliver new products, ideas and solutions. The mutual strength and common interests in science and technology of both countries will be supported by suitable investment to create jobs using knowledge from research and development.
Areas of Collaboration
Canada-India Joint S&T Cooperation Committee is responsible for implementing the projects and overseeing the operations of the working groups. A wide range of areas have been chosen for collaboration and some of them are-
- Alternative energy sources and sustainable environmental solutions
- Medical technology and health research
- Nanomedicine and nanoscience
- Aerospace management
- Disaster management
- Earth science and environment
- Information communication technology
- Nanotechnology and biotechnology
The scope and number of projects under the agreement has increased from time to time when the nations met to update them. Kapil Sibal and David Emerson met in 2008 and added other areas of priorities in the agreement like photonics, biopharmaceuticals and synchrotron science.
Nature of Funding
The 2005 S&T agreement saw Canada introduce $6.75 million for a course of five years. In 2008, representatives from two nations added new joint S&T initiatives to the list amounting to $17 million.
The Canadian side of the funding is managed by the International Science and Technology Partnerships Program. India plays in part by matching the funding of Canada according to the terms of the agreement.
Many federal and provincial government agencies and private sector organizations of both countries have also contributed funds to the joint S&T projects.
The S&T cooperation between Canada and India is currently one of the most happening partnerships that the countries have developed.