Thaindian News

Cairo, May 18 (IANS) India’s C.V. Raman International Research fellowship for African researchers is turning out to be a big hit, with 86 candidates from 26 African nations availing it in the inaugural 2010 programme.

African researchers have praised the fellowship as being mutually beneficial to both India and Africa, according to a report on the Indian embassy website herel. The fellowship covers travel expenses to India apart from providing monthly allowance up to Rs.50,000.

Mohammed Beyan, a researcher from Ethiopia said: “The fellowship has made an immense contribution in bringing the scientific communities in India and Africa together to solve problems through research. Indian experience in research and education can be directly adopted and utilized by Africans.”

Nigerian researcher Bukola Olanika Oyebanji said: “Thanks to the fellowship, I was exposed to modern technologies, especially in the areas of tissue culture. Also I was able to carry out experiments for which facilities were not
available in my country.”

“The fellowship is mutually beneficial. Indian scientists acquire knowledge on how African scientists are tackling challenges faced by farmers in Africa,” said Kenyan researcher Joseph Njuguna Kari.

The Department of Science and Technology and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) instituted the fellowship last year for providing opportunities for African researchers. The aim is to conduct collaborative research with universities and R&D; institutions in various areas of science and technology.

C.V. Raman (1888-1970) was an Indian physicist who won the Nobel Prize in 1930 for his contribution in physics. The deadline for this year’s C.V. Raman fellowship programme is July 31.