Dr Harshvardhan launches new scheme VAJRA

Speed Post News Network

New Delhi : The Union Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of India, has launched a new scheme VAJRA (Visiting Advanced Joint Research), Faculty Scheme of Science & Engineering Research Board, that allows foreign-based scientists to contribute to the Indian growth by working part-time in Indian laboratories and academic institutions.

The web portal VAJRA was launched in New Delhi on June 22, 2017, by the Union Minister for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences and Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Dr Harshvardhan, according to a PIB release. Launching the web portal, Dr Harsh Vardhan said that the portal VAJRA will not only help India boost the global ranking of Indian institutions but also draw the best of research personnel to the country.  Dr. Harsh Vardhan said that India has a scientific collaboration with as many as 80 countries, according to the release.

The area of research to be undertaken by visiting faculty members under the scheme would have to be at the cutting edge of science and technology and also be of relevance to India. The Minister added, “Earlier we had an issue of brain drain but with this issue we will be able to transform it into brain gain.” The foreign faculty members selected under the scheme would reside in India up to three months in a year and would be given 15,000 US dollars in the first month  and 10,000 $ dollars per month for the second and third month.

A commemorative stamp was also released to mark the occasion of 250 years of Survey of India by the Minister of State for Communication (I/C) and Railways Manoj Sinha