On Tuesday, the government introduced the VAIBHAV fellowship for 22 scientists of Indian origin, enabling them to undertake collaborative research projects in prominent Indian institutes, focusing on areas like artificial intelligence and quantum technologies. Minister of Science and Technology, Jitendra Singh, disclosed the fellowship recipients, who are from leading institutes across Australia, Canada, Finland, Japan, Singapore, Sweden, Switzerland, the UK, and the US. The VAIBHAV fellowship program, initiated by DST last year, encourages collaboration between scientists of the Indian Diaspora and Indian higher educational institutions. The fellows will work on jointly identified projects with Indian institutes such as IISc, IUCAA, and IITs over the next three years.
The VAIBHAV or Vaishvik Bhartiya Vaigyanik fellows are accomplished scientists from prestigious global institutions. This collaborative effort aims to harness their expertise and experience for advancing research and innovation in India. Arogyaswami J Paulraj and Prof. Jitendra Malik, eminent scientists, have been offered the position of ‘Distinguished VAIBHAV Fellows’ and are invited to work on collaborative research projects in the fields of electrical engineering and computer science at IIT-Bombay and IIT-Kanpur, respectively.
The fellowship program emerged from the VAIBHAV Summit inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in October 2020. The collaborative research endeavors will span three years, allowing the VAIBHAV fellows to contribute significantly to projects related to artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, and other cutting-edge fields. The scholars will be affiliated with esteemed Indian institutions, fostering a transfer of knowledge and expertise.
The VAIBHAV fellowship not only promotes global collaboration but also enhances India’s standing in scientific research. The second call for VAIBHAV fellowships has been announced, indicating the government’s commitment to fostering international collaboration and attracting top-notch talent to contribute to the country’s scientific advancements. This initiative holds the potential to create a robust ecosystem where global experts and Indian researchers collaboratively drive innovation, pushing the boundaries of scientific exploration.
