Question : MoU with Canada

(a) whether the Indian Government has recently approved MoU with Canada for cooperation in the field of Science and Technology;

(b) if so, whether the MoU will provide a mechanism and help foster scientific cooperation between R&D and academic institutions of the two countries;

(c) if so, whether the areas of cooperation have been identified in the MoU;

(d) if so, the manner and extent to which the country will be benefitted from this MoU; and

(e) the time by which the implementation of the MoU will be started?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES
(SHRI Y.S. CHOWDHARY)

(a) & (b): Yes, Madam. The Government of India has approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Canada for cooperation in the field of Science and Technology. The MoU was concluded by the Department of Science & Technology (DST) with the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) of Canada, Government of Canada, on 14th November 2017. The MoU will provide mechanism and help to foster cooperation between Research and Development and academic institutions of India and Canada.

(c) The identified areas of mutual cooperation under this MoU include (i) safe and sustainable infrastructure, and (ii) integrated water management.

(d) Under this MoU, the India-Canada Centre for Innovative Multidisciplinary Partnership to Accelerate Community Transformation and Sustainability (IC-IMPACTS) programme will be supported to promote research partnership between both countries. The R&D projects will be aimed at providing solutions through application of science & technology. The participants will include researchers from scientific organizations, academic and R&D laboratories from India & Canada.

(e) The process of implementation of the MoU has already been initiated towards launch of the bilateral call for R&D projects.

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