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SNAPSHOT OF RECENT EVENTS
 
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H.E. Ambassador Phillipe Welti's Visit to the Indian Institute of Science(IIsc), Bangalore on 17th June 2011
by Mrinalika Pandit
The Swiss delegation consisted of H.E. Mr. Phillipe Welti & Myrtha Welti, Dr.Silvia Hostettler (Director swissnex India),Maitree Dasgupta(swissnexIndia),Rolf Frei (Consul General Bangalore), Werner Nievergelt (Consul General Mumbai). IISc delegation included Prof. Balaram,(Director of IISc); Prof.Rangarajan, Chairman, International Relations Cell Prof. Vijayalakshmi, Chairperson, Department of Neuroscience, Prof.Andre Pittet, Chief Project Advisor in Centre for Electronics Design and Technology, Prof.Rudra Pratap, Chairperson, Department of Nano Science and Engineering, Prof. Rahul Pandit, and five Heads of Departments.
The discussion ranged over:
- Joint collaboration on management techniques and power engineering between Switzerland and India
- Student exchanges between the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) and IISc
- Joint workshop (towards end of 2011,beginning of 2012) on computational neuroscience with experts from Swiss and Indian research institutes and universities
- The building of knowledge platforms, intense student exchanges emerging from the initial joint workshops
- Creation of Semester exchange facilities for student across the two countries.
The Swiss Delegation later visited the Department of Neuroscience.Dr.Vijaylakshmi and her colleagues received the delegation. Mrs. Welti applauded the contributions of the IISc team to research in the cure for Alzheimer's and offered the University of Zurich as a site for collaborative work in the future.
Finally the Swiss Delegation visited the Department of Nano Science and Engineering, IISC. Prof. Rudra Pratap underscored that the recently completed Nano--‐Fabrication Facility followed the design of the clean room facility at EPFL. Much is owed to the Faculty and technicians who contributed to this joint work.
Future scenarios for collaboration can include- 'Incubation and Commercialization' of Indian and Swiss companies with EPFL and ETHZ being the research anchors. Swiss and Indian specific strengths can contribute to market friendly product outcomes
Swissnex India looks forward to implementing the rich ideas that have emerged in the discussions between the Swiss Delegation and the scientists at IISc. These will include joint workshops, lectures, research projects, and student exchanges. All in all the meetings were fruitful and there is much to be hoped for in the future...partnerships which promise tangible outcomes.
