Dr. Danielsen calls for enhancement of Indo-Norwegian collaborations
India and Norway are working together in the field of research, higher education and collaboration, but there are still more unexplored opportunities, Arne Jan Flølo, Consul General at Royal Norwegian Consulate General in Mumbai, told a dialogue session held by the two countries’ government and business officials.
“We are also trying to see how we can strengthen the link to the business communities to simulate possible synergies and cooperation,” he said.
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 as well as world-leading academic groups.
The growing opportunities for Norway in India in various sectors were highlighted by Pia Solli Sellereite, Director General (acting), Ministry of Education and Research.
She pointed out that India is an essential partner for Norway and reaffirmed commitment under the two important Norwegian strategies “Norway–India 2030” strategy for cooperation and “Panorama” strategy for higher education internationalisation, which will see the country’s universities cooperate more extensively with partners abroad.
“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,” said Sellereite.
“The collaboration between industry and academia has always been important, but we need to explore more opportunities in this field,” she stressed.
Dr. Kristin Danielsen, Executive Director, International and the research system from the Research Council of Norway, called for progressing on with several bilateral initiatives between the two countries. She called for enhancement of Indo-Norwegian collaborations through bilateral and multilateral cooperation.
She also highlighted the integration of Indo-Norwegian research cooperation in the Research Council’s programmes and activities to enhance 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 ongoing programs which can be used to strengthen ongoing cooperation and future collaborations between Norway and India.
The Dialogue session was organised 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, on 18 June 2021.
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, noted PHDCCI President Sanjay Aggarwal.
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.
“We should encourage students from other countries to come and study in India so that our strength towards education travels around the globe. 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,” said Prof. M P Poonia, Vice Chairman, All India Council for Technical Education, Ministry of Education.
The Ministry of Science and Technology is working on various programs with Research Council of Norway and would like to extend participation in other European Nations, added Sanjeev K Varshney, Head, International Cooperation in the Ministry.
“The ministry is working on a supercomputing mission, integrated cyber clinic systems, quantum science technology, and many more,” he told the dialogue session.
“We need to explore opportunities in Norway in the areas of Electric Vehicles, Healthcare, Innovation and Research,” added Dr. Mohit Gambhir, Innovation Director, Ministry of Education.
He called for collaboration between Norway and India in providing solutions in various fields which will help to harness the youth and provide opportunities to both nations. #technology #research #environment #climate #renewables #energy #investment #projects /fiinews.com
