Thirteenth India-Japan Science Council Held

Cosponsored by JSPS and the Indian government’s Department of Science and Technology (DST), the 13^th India-Japan Science Council was held in Hyderabad, India, on 15 March. The Council comprises 14 members: the co-chairs and six coordinators on each side in charge of the six prioritized fields (Molecular and Supramolecular Science, Advanced Materials, including Polymers and Nanomaterials, Modern Biology and Biotechnology, Manufacturing Science, Astronomical and Space Science, and Surface and Interface Science, including Catalysis). This was the first Council meeting to be conducted by DST secretary Dr. Thirumalachari Ramasami as the Indian co-chair since the former co-chair Prof. C.N.R. Rao stepped down last year. Dr. Ramasami and Prof. Keitaro Yoshihara presided as co-chairs over proceedings that included the selection of topics for FY2010 joint projects and seminars and a review of the results of those carried out in FY 2009. A spirited discussion was also advanced in planning next year’s Asia Academic Seminar to be held with India.

Another very positive outcome of the meeting was DST’s agreement to play a more substantive role in carrying out the programs of the Asian Heads of Research Councils (ASIAHORCs) and HOPE Meetings.

It was decided to hold the next, 14^th meeting of the Council in January or February 2011 in Japan.

- Asian Program Division