Thursday, March 1, 2012

India-Africa S&T Ministers Conference

Under the framework of the S&T Initiatives for Africa, Department of Science & Technology in partnership with Ministry of External Affairs is holding a "India-Africa S&T Ministers Conference` on 1-2 March 2012 at New Delhi. This major Ministerial level event is being organised in close coordination with the African Union Commission and is expected to attend Science & Technology Ministers from across the African continent along with senior official from various countries. The attendees will also include the Heads of African country missions based in Delhi, officials from the African Union Commission and the representatives of the eight Regional African Economic Forums.

The event is expected to provide a platform for the advocacy, outreach and commitment of India under the framework of the New S&T Cooperation Initiative with Africa. Besides showcasing the value based relationship and opportunities which India can offer, the Ministerial Conference will help to develop linkages and also secure the interests and commitments of the African partners to this Indian initiative. The presence of the policy and decision makers from both sides will also help to discuss, outline and develop future S&T interactions including collaborative research, student and faculty exchange programs, knowledge and technology transfer platforms and various capacity building mechanisms which are relevant to the African country`s needs.

The two-day exposition on March 1-2, 2012 will showcase the relevant Indian technologies and innovative products both at grass root and advanced levels across the sectoral spread. The participating institutions will be drawn from CSIR, DST, FICCI and the National Innovation Foundation.

The exhibition will be attended by S&T Ministers from across the African continent along with Senior Officials from various African countries, Heads of African country missions based in Delhi, officials from the African Union Commission and the representatives of the eight Regional African Economic Forums.