Vice-President Research & Innovation Robert Haché has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between York University and Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) to provide a framework for research collaborations between the two organizations.
The MOU puts York researchers in a stronger position to be at the forefront of research in areas of global importance including nanotechnology, advanced materials, bio-informatics, public safety technology and sensors, or any areas where they believe international collaboration will advance their research goals.
The Scientific Adviser to Defence Minister, Dr V.K. Saraswat and the Vice-President Research & Innovation Robert Haché sign an MOU between DRDO and York University for cooperation in the areas of joint research and development in defence science & technology, in the presence of the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, and the Prime Minister of Canada, Stephen Harper, in New Delhi on Nov. 06.
The new framework gives York researchers greater opportunity to access funding for international partnerships and benefits research based collaborations by linking York researchers with their potential partners from top tier universities in India.
The MOU was signed by Haché and the Scientific Adviser to the Defence Minister and Chief of the Defence Organisation, V.K. Saraswat on Nov. 6, in the presence of Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and the Prime Minister of India, Dr. Manmohan Singh, in New Delhi, India.
“We recognize the importance of international research collaborations and synergistic partnerships in building and strengthening research capacity, enhancing opportunities for research training and the sharing of global perspectives,” said Robert Haché, York’s Vice-President Research & Innovation. “This agreement enhances opportunities for international research collaborations that will provide insight into critical scientific issues impacting individuals in both countries and beyond.”
DRDO has a network of 52 laboratories deeply engaged in research with many prestigious universities and research institutions in India, including the Indian Institutes of Technology and the Indian Institute of Science. The agreement is the culmination of close collaborative working and relationships established between leading academic researchers from Canada and India.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for York researchers to forge the type of enduring partnerships that can achieve real results for everyone involved and to work together with international colleagues in developing solutions to some of the greatest challenges we face,” added Janusz Kozinski, dean of the Lassonde School of Engineering.
In 2011, a delegation from York University took part in a high-level research workshop in New Delhi co-sponsored by the International Science & Technology Partnerships Canada, Global Innovation & Technology Alliance, the Society for Applied Microwave Electronics Engineering & Research and India's DRDO during a nine-day partnership building mission to India.
At the end of last year, it was York’s turn to play host to researchers from India at a Canada-India Frontiers workshop at the Keele Campus where among the topics discussed was ‘Early Warning and Advanced Response Network’ which concerns detection, identification, quantification and neutralization of harmful substances released in public buildings (e.g., hospitals, schools, shopping malls, airports).
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Republished courtesy of YFile– York University’s daily e-bulletin to research stories on the research website.