BRICS endorses India's Young Scientists Forum Initiative

BRICS nations have endorsed India's Young Scientists Forum Initiative and this will form part of the BRICS Science, Technology & Innovation (STI) work plan for the 2015-2018 period, government today said.
The Technology Innovation Ministerial Meeting, held at Brasilia this week, also proposed establishment of a BRICS Technology Foresight for Climate System to address scientific and innovative solutions for climate change and natural disaster management while identifying viable R&D initiatives for the future.
The YSFI will help in creating a forum for young and talented scientists in their research.
Harsh Vardhan, Minister for Science and Technology, who is leading the Indian delegation told the meeting of Science and Technology Ministers of Brazil, Russia, China and South Africa (BRICS) that the new dispensation is committed to strengthening of cooperation within BRICS in this key sphere of STI which directly impacts the welfare and progress of all our people.

"The institutional framework established in the form of a BRICS Memorandum of Understanding for Science, Technology, and Innovation at the meeting will act as an enabling vehicle to take our cooperation forward," said an official statement quoting Vardhan.
Earlier he apprised delegates attending the meeting about various measures being taken by the Indian government for development of skills among its large youth population. He informed them about various steps for the promotion of innovation through allocations made in the this year's annual budget for the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM).
"AIM will be an innovation promotion platform involving academics, entrepreneurs, and researchers and draw upon national and international experiences to foster a culture of innovation, R&D and scientific research in India.

"The national STI enterprise is central to national development. A strong and viable Science, Research and Innovation System for High Technology-led path for India (SRISHTI) is the goal of India's new STI policy," he added.