The High Level Committee (HLC) on Indian Diaspora solicited DST's contributions on the role of NRIs and PIOs in science and technology. This task was carried out by constituting an S&T Expert Group on Role of NRIs and PIOs under the chairmanship of Secretary, DST . The Jan.2002 Report of S&T Expert Group was devoted to (i) reviewing the contributions by Indians abroad to the Indian S&T programs;(ii) scanning the existing mechanisms and schemes that Indians abroad can avail off; and (iii) recommending new avenues and framework to network with S&T professionals of Indian Origin abroad (NRI and PIOs) for accelerating India's excellence in science and technology. It has also given coverage to the Chinese & Israeli system for channelizing their immigrants for national S&T programs. Final Report of HLC approved many of the recommendations made by S&T Expert Group .

Modes of Cooperation

Science & Technology Professionals of Indian Diaspora-Website commissioned:

Government of India, Department of Science & Technology (DST), in association with Ministry of External Affairs, has commissioned the website "Science & Technology Professionals of Indian Diaspora" with its address http://indiandiaspora.nic.in/stio; http://stio.nic.in

This website targets web-enabled registration and networking of Scientists and Technologists of Indian Origin Abroad (STIOs) with Indian academia, research laboratories, industry, entrepreneur and enterprises, with the overall objective of strengthening and enhancing India's S&T excellence and global competitiveness. This website also posts information on Indian opportunities that STIOs can avail off such as the schemes, programs and assignments.

The STIOs offers of collaboration related to human resources and research capacity building, technology entrepreneurship, participation in international megascience projects and facilities, research and development outsourcing, alma-mater tie-ups posted on this website will be periodically shortlisted and uploaded for browsing by Indian peers and institutions.

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) Session on Science & Technology
PBD is an annual event held in India during Jan 9-11 ( website http:// www.indiaday.org). BPD is to facilitate inter-alia (i) Acquainting Indian people with achievements and pre-eminent role of Indian diaspora in variety of fields ; (ii) Framing a policy framework for sustained and productive interaction of diaspora with India and its people and (iii) Providing an opportunity for developing partnerships of Indian diaspora with their counterparts in India .

Department of Science & Technology, on request from Ministry of External Affairs, is technically coordinating PBD Session on S&T . While the 1st PBD Session on S&T focused on Networking for Excellence (Jan.2003) , the 2nd PBD Session on S&T is to focus on Creating Technology Corridors with STIOs (Jan.2004)

Contact Persons:

India
DR. A.K Sood,
Adviser & Head ,
International Cooperation Division,
Department of Science & Technology, Technology Bhavan New Delhi-110016
Tel: +91-11-26961912 Fax: +91-11-26862418 Email: [email protected]

Mrs. Sadhana Relia,
Scientist F (Director) & STEPAN National Focal Point from India ,
International Cooperation Division,
Department of Science & Technology, Technology Bhavan New Delhi-110016
Tel: +91-11-26602189 Fax: +91-11-26862418 Email: [email protected]

Shri. R.Dayakar,
Joint Secretary (NRI),
Ministry of External Affairs
Ministry of External Affairs, ISIL Building (Room No. 309)
9 Bhagwandas Road, New Delhi-110001
Tel: 23384499 Fax: 23385272 Email: [email protected]