UK to partner technology summit and KnowledgExpo in India in 2016
UK Science Minister announces the continuation of UK’s Newton Fund.
UK to partner technology summit and KnowledgExpo in India in 2016
On the first day of his three-day, three-city visit to India, the British Minister of State for Universities and Science Jo Johnson MP launched the UK’s partnership of the 2016 Technology Summit and KnowledgExpo along with his Indian counterpart, the Minister for Science and Technology Dr Harsh Vardhan.
The Government of India’s Department of Science and Technology (DST) and Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) have jointly organised India’s largest technology partnership platform for the past 20 years, promoting technology and trade and investment in India.
The UK will be the partner country for next year’s event which will be held in New Delhi from 7-9 November 2016. The Summit will offer India and the UK a new platform to identify partnership opportunities and build on exsisting bilateral programmes in business, research, science and innovation.
Mr Johnson said:
The UK’s partnership of India’s 2016 Technology Summit and KnowledgExpo is a unique opportunity for our countries to demonstrate our world class collaboration in education, innovation and entrepreneurship.
The Technology Summit and KnowledgExpo will be a standout platform for innovative businesses and thought leaders in 2016. I am delighted to be here today with DST and CII to formally launch these events, which are indicative of the rapidly growing partnership between India and the UK in these areas.
Dr. Harsh Vardhan said:
In the recent meeting between the two Prime Ministers, science, technology and innovation was recognised as an important pillar in the bilateral Indo-UK partnership.
The holding of the Technology Summit next year with UK as the partner country will be a flagship event to mark 2016 as the Indo-UK Year of Education, Research & Innovation. The Summit shall provide platform for linking scientific knowledge generation to market and economic growth of both the nations.
Mr Johnson also announced the continuation of the UK’s Newton Fund, with funding secured to 2021. Newton was established by the British Government to promote international science and innovation partnerships. Mr Johnson celebrated the joint investment in UK-India research, which has grown from less than a £1 million in 2008 to over £200 million today.
Mr Johnson emphasised the need for collaboration between the two countries on ocean science, big data and high value manufacturing, expressing the UK’s commitment to support Prime Minister Modi’s flagship ‘Make in India’ campaign.
British and Indian business leaders and senior academics, including Dame Nancy Rothwell, the Vice Chancellor of Manchester University and Professor Colin Riordan, Vice Chancellor of Cardiff University also participated in the discussions led by the two Ministers.
Further Information:
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The Newton Fund was established by the UK Government to promote international science and innovation partnerships. The Newton Fund is currently worth £375 million over 5 years.
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In November 2014, the UK and India agreed the Newton-Bhabha Fund to which the UK committed to contribute £10m a year for 5 years (100 Crore Rupees a year). Newton-Bhabha Programme addresses the big societal challenges, like sustainable cities, health, food, energy and water. The programme is comprehensive: capacity building of researchers and institutions; developing new research collaborations; translating knowledge into tangible benefits for our countries.
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The UK-India recognise that Newton-Bhabha Programme is strengthening existing research UK and Indian partnerships and promoting new relationships with policy makers in government, government agencies, research organisations, higher education institutions, companies and enterprises of UK and India
Stuart Adam, Head,
Press and Communications
British High Commission, Chanakyapuri
New Delhi 110021
Tel: 44192100; Fax: 24192411
Mail to: Jagori Dhar
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