An Advisory Letter on strengthening Science, Technology and Innovation Cooperation between India and the Netherlands prepared by the Advisory Board for Science, Technology and Innovation (AWTI) will be the highlight of a seminar organized by the Embassy of India in Eindhoven on March 26, 2018.
The AWTI Advisory letter calls upon the Dutch Government to bring collaboration on knowledge and innovation with India to a higher level. It says that the Netherlands can gain from enhanced collaboration with India on science, talent and innovation. India offers many opportunities, which can be better seized if the Dutch Government, companies and knowledge institutes act more in concert towards India based on a clear strategy.
The letter points out that India is a rising power with a relatively young, increasing population. Economically, the country has been making solid progress over a period of many years with currently an expected annual economic growth of 7.5% of GDP. Equally, India is becoming a global player in the fields of science, technology and innovation.
The AWTI Chairman and former Foreign Minister, Dr. Uri Rosenthal will present the English version of the AWTI recommendations to the Indian Ambassador H.E. Mr. Venu Rajamony at the seminar titled “Prospects for Indo-Dutch Cooperation in the area of Science & Technology.”
The seminar is being held at the prestigious High Tech Campus in Eindhoven, which is home to more than 140 companies and institutions, comprising over 10,000 product developers, researchers and entrepreneurs and an estimated 85 nationalities. This is the first time the Embassy is organising such an event in Eindhoven.
Mayor of Eindhoven, H.E. John Jorritsma, will deliver the keynote address at the seminar. Other prominent speakers include by Prof. Dr. Uri Rosenthal, Chairman, AWTI; Mr. Michiel Sweers, Deputy Director General Enterprise and Innovation, Ministry of Economic Affairs; Prof. Dr. Wim van den Doel, Member, Executive Board, NWO; Mr. Jeroen Tas, Executive Vice-President, Royal Philips; Dr. D. Smit, Chief Scientist & Vice President, Royal Dutch Shell; Prof. Dr. Ir. M. (Maarten) Steinbuch, Professor, TU Eindhoven; and Ms. Anupam Nayak, Chief Operating Officer, Eindhoven Medical Robotics. Representatives of trade bodies, government, academics, companies and start-ups will attend the seminar.
The speakers at the event will inform different stakeholders in the science, technology and innovation space about the ongoing cooperation in this sector, various business opportunities for Dutch and Indian companies and about the flagship programmes of the Government of India.
According to the AWTI Chariman, Dr. Uri Rosenthal, “now it is time for the Dutch Government to intensify the collaboration with India in order to jointly generate more knowledge and more innovation. This will benefit both countries in the areas of knowledge, trade and talent. The Netherlands can learn from neighboring countries that already have enhanced their cooperation with India.’’
Ambassador of India to the Netherlands, H.E. Mr. Venu Rajamony said “India welcomes increased collaboration with the Netherlands in the field of knowledge and innovation. Both countries have significant strengths that can complement each other. Our collaboration in these fields would be of benefit not just to our countries but the entire world. We also support the emphasis in the letter on SMEs and encourage them to take greater interest in India. The Embassy stands ready to extend every assistance possible to Dutch business in this regard.”
The Advisory Letter titled “Focus on India- Advisory Letter on Dutch-Indian Collaboration in Science, Technology and Innovation” was presented to Ministers van Engelshoven (Education, Culture and Science), Blok (Foreign Affairs), Kaag (Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation) and State Secretary Keijzer (Economic Affairs and Climate Policy) on March 22, 2018.
The AWTI is an independent advisory council to the Dutch Government and parliament. AWTI provides strategic advice on policy in the areas of science, technology and innovation. The members of the AWTI originate from research institutes and trade and industry.