Brussels, 07 Apr 2005

An initiative designed to assist European information and communication technologies (ICT) researchers wishing to find project partners in India has been launched. The scheme is supported under the Sixth Framework Programme (FP6) project MONSOON.

The aim of the Euro-India ICT cooperation initiative is to enable researchers from the two regions to find potential partners and create project consortia, and to share and exchange knowledge on ICT topics. The initiative will focus in particular on open source software, embedded systems, e-applications, e-government, research networks and GRID systems, 4G, and communication network technologies.

India has experienced a recent boom in ICT, and is therefore considered an important partner for Europe. Likewise, many Indian researchers are keen to strengthen links with their counterparts in Europe.

Professor Sadagopan, Director of the Indian Institute of Technology, highlighted at the EU's 2004 IST conference the many shared values between India and the EU, and said: 'The next growth engine for India will be the EU, and for the EU it will be Asia, including India and China. [...] ICT is a starting point, but Euro-Indian partnership can go far beyond, as ICT influences all areas of business and government. There is much to be done, but it is not particularly difficult - we simply need to introduce the institutional instruments to better encourage cooperation.'

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As part of the initiative, five workshop and training events will take place in India over the course of two years. The events will not only present European opportunities, but enable Indian researchers to present their technology and application development ideas. The first two workshops will take place in Bangalore on 30 and 31 May and in Bombay on 2 and 3 June.

For further information, please consult the following web address:

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