Over 370 scientists returned to work in India: Government

The government on Wednesday said that a total of 373 scientists have returned to work in India in the last three years leaving reputed foreign institutions.

The government said that 125 of the 373 scientists had been absorbed in different schemes initiated by the government.

"Department of Science and Technology (DST) through Ramanujan fellowship and Department of Biotechnology (DBT) through Ramalingaswami re-entry fellowship provides attractive avenue and opportunities to Indian Researchers of high calibre, who are residing in foreign, to work in Indian Institutes and Universities of their respective interest and domain," Minister of state for Science and Technology Y.S. Choudhary stated in the Parliament.

He informed that under the ministry's Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research (INSPIRE) faculty scheme, young Indian citizens and people of Indian origin across the world with PhD in science, mathematics, engineering, pharmacy, medicine, and agriculture related subjects are offered contractual research positions in Indian institutions to carry out independent research.

Beside that the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has a scheme to attract scientists and technologists of Indian Origin (STIO) under which they are appointed at an identified CSIR laboratory so as to nurture a research field in their area of expertise.

DST had recently also initiated named VAJRA -- Visiting Advanced Joint Research Faculty Scheme -- that offers NRIs and people of Indian origin abroad to work as adjunct or visiting faculty for a specific period of time in Indian Public funded academic and research institutions.

"The Ministry has ensured sufficient funds depending upon the availability of brilliant scientists and engineers from

all over the world to take up scientific research positions in India," the Minister stated.

--IANS

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