Ludhiana, August 5, 2024 (Yes Punjab News)
In a significant stride towards strengthening Indo-French scientific ties, Dr. Didier Raboisson, Attaché for Scientific Cooperation from the Embassy of France in India, engaged in extensive discussions with Dr. Satbir Singh Gosal, Vice-Chancellor of Punjab Agricultural University (PAU).
The meeting, attended by university officers and senior faculty from the Department of Zoology, aimed at reviewing and expanding existing cooperation under various initiatives.
Providing a detailed overview of the Indo-French Centre for the Promotion of Advanced Research (CEFIPRA), Dr. Raboisson stressed its role in fostering high-quality research collaborations in basic and applied sciences.
The Collaborative Scientific Research Programme (CSRP) enhances academia-to-academia collaborations between Indian and French researchers.
Mobility support programmes offer young researchers opportunities to experience the partnering country’s environment, while Targeted Programmes ensure impactful research outcomes. He also discussed CEFIPRA’s events like seminars and workshops, which facilitate Indo-French scientific interactions.
Dr. Raboisson emphasized the Raman-Charpak Fellowship (RCF) for doctoral students and the Indo-French Programme for Women in Science (PROWIS). Additionally, the DST-INRIA Targeted Programme promotes collaboration in Information and Communication Technology. He also underscored the PREZODE initiative for preventing zoonotic diseases.
Concluding his discourse, he called for exploring new modalities to enhance student and faculty mobility, secure research funding, and establish short-visit programmes. He also suggested considering joint degrees in postgraduate programmes to further cement the Indo-French educational and research collaboration.
Dr. S.S. Gosal advocated reinforcing academic and scientific diplomacy as a key axis of the Indo-French strategic partnership. He discussed the scope of recognizing or certifying French courses at PAU by the French Government and elaborated on previous collaborations with French institutes.
Regarding PREZODE, Dr. Gosal highlighted the initiative’s aim to understand the risks of zoonotic disease emergence, develop innovative prevention and detection methods, and ensure rapid response to emerging infectious diseases of animal origin. He termed the interaction as highly productive, noting that such collaborations are mutually beneficial.
Under the PREZODE initiative, a preliminary study on ‘Atypical Human Trypanosomiasis in Punjab, India’ was conducted in collaboration with the Institute of Research and Development, Montpellier, France. Dr. Neena Singla, Principal Zoologist (Rodents) at PAU and Co-PI of the study, discussed the results and the role of rodents in disease transmission.
The meeting marked a significant step towards deepening the Indo-French partnership in science and technology, promising a future of collaborative innovation and mutual growth.
