Bavarian Academic Delegation to India

The Bavarian Academic Delegation programme started in New Delhi with a warm welcome from State Minister for Science and the Arts Markus Blume, followed by a program briefing by Wiebke Dörfler from BayIND.

Invest India shared valuable insights into India's DeepTech and AI landscape, while University Grants Commission (UGC) discussed opportunities for cooperation under the National Education Policy 2020. AICTE (All India Council for Technical Education) held a third session.

After that, the delegation met with the Minister of Education to discuss the idea of a Bavarian International Campus in India.

The next stop was the Indian Institute of Technology, (IIT) Delhi, before concluding the day at the German Embassy in New Delhi for a briefing on German-Indian relations with German Ambassador Dr. Philipp Ackermann.

On the second day, the Bavarian delegation travelled to Agra by train as part of our cultural programme. We had the pleasure of visiting the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

During day 3, the delegation had a discussion about the Indian Higher Education Landscape and engaged with key stakeholders such as the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), Academic Evaluation Centre (APS), and Indo-German Science & Technology Centre (IGSTC). They talked about a variety of topics, including applicant management and funding opportunities for Indo-German research.
 
On this day, the delegation also had the great opportunity to experience Holi, the festival of colors in India.
 
After their flight to Bengaluru, the 'Silicon Valley of India', the Delegation received a warm welcome from the Consule General, Achim Burkart. Amidst the vibrant tech hub, they engaged with the leadership of State of Bavaria India Office - Invest in Bavaria and Foundation of Interoperability in Digital Economy (FIDE). During the meeting, the delegates were briefed on the operations and pivotal roles played by these esteemed organizations in fostering international collaborations and promoting economic growth.

On day 4, the delegation headed by Dr. Rolf-Dieter Jungk, Director General from the Bavarian State Ministry of Science and the Arts, visited Siemens Healthineers, exploring their R&D efforts in India.

They then proceeded to the Digital Innovation Lab at Infosys and finally to the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIMB), where they were informed about the various programmes, including NSRCEL, an Incubation Centre for Startups & Entrepreneurs. Additionally, the Bavarian State Ministry of Science and the Arts provided an overview of the Bavarian Hightech Agenda.

Next on the agenda was participation in the Future ICT Forum for Sustainable Cities, a pivotal event focusing on current challenges and strategic initiatives in implementing ICT technologies in Indian smart cities and beyond. The forum aims to enhance the quality of life for people through technological advancements. With so many companies and startups showcasing their innovations and engaging in networking sessions, it was a great opportunity to expand industry connections. 

In the afternoon, the delegation visited the ISRO - Indian Space Research Organization, where they received a great introduction and gained insights into their various fields of research. The university presidents were able to meet and connect directly with their researchers and identify mutual interests.
 
Ending the day with a networking dinner, the participants had the opportunity to connect with Indian entrepreneurs and thought leaders in the evening.

On the next day, the delegation had the pleasure of visiting the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bengaluru. They had a great exchange with the BeST - Bengaluru Science & Technology Cluster on Quantum Technologies and Artificial Intelligence. 

One part of the group drove to ISEC for discussions on applied research and technology, focusing on lessons learned from the Hanns-Seidel-Stiftung (HSS) & Institute for Social and Economic Change, Bangalore (ISEC) project on sustainable agriculture at the state level.

Meanwhile, the other part of the group visited the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms (C-CAMP) at the campus of the National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS). They had a great time exploring entrepreneurship and innovation in biotechnology!

The delegation trip concluded with a visit to the Bhoga Nandeshwara Temple, situated in the Nandi Hills.

Subsequently, the group engaged in a discussion on innovative strategies for recruiting students from India and fostering stronger academic ties.

Finally, we had the pleasure of experiencing the culinary delights of Slurp Studio, where we explored the secrets of Indian cuisine, from aromatic spices to culinary finesse.

We extend our gratitude to the Bavarian State Ministry of Science and the Arts, all Bavarian university presidents and representatives taking part in this delegation and all those involved in making this exchange a resounding success.

We look forward to the next opportunity to meet again in the near future!