Sci-ROI Connect
Volume 20 | Mar 26, 2022
Sci-ROI initiative
Sci-ROI is happy to announce that we are organizing an in-depth webinar on "Global & Local Perspectives on Academia-Industry Collaboration ” on 2nd April 2022, Saturday. Join global leaders from academia-industry interphase and funding agencies, in this focused webinar and learn from their experience and career journey.

Learn more and Register here.
ReAct is a research initiation program that will enable participating STEM undergraduates to develop an understanding of how the research process functions, relate to how scientists solve problems, gain deeper understanding of laboratory techniques, develop data analysis and interpretation skills, and gain the ability to apply their theoretical knowledge to practice.

ReAct will present an opportunity to develop meaningful mentoring relationships with scientists actively pursuing research. Our mentors will not only support creative endeavors of their mentees, mentors will also help mentees to think like a researcher and help them view challenges as opportunities for inquiring new questions, look at problems from fresh angles, and try different approaches to achieve their goals. Further, mentors will offer a global perspective on different STEM fields and help mentees explore non-traditional careers in science.

Finally, highly motivated and committed students excelling at ReAct will potentially have the opportunity to undertake research internships at renowned research laboratories across India.

For more details, click here.
To facilitate cross-sector partnerships and networking in India, Sci-ROI@India launched a collaborative database that will capture the information from all current and independent STEM professionals in India who would be willing to have potential collaborations with academic, industrial, non-academic or non-profit partners.

Established STEM professionals across all disciplines in academia, industry, non-profit and non-academic sectors currently working and residing in India can initiate collaborations with other STEM professionals at their current capacity.

Learn more here.

Indian research has advanced tremendously in the last 20 years. While we at Sci-ROI@Blogs have been focusing on different research fields in our “Emerging Trends in India” series, it would be important to look at the whole picture. That is why we are introducing a brand new series, “Opinions/Perspectives on Indian STEM”. In this series, we will feature opinions about different aspects of STEM research from prominent personalities and try to have an in-depth look a the points raised. In the first blog of the series, Rohit Vaidya, Sci-ROI@Blogs team member, will focus on the need for expanding Indian research beyond the top few institutes. This point was raised by Prof. Sudipta Maiti in his interview with Sci-ROI.

Read more in our latest blog here

Sci-ROI is inviting members to write blog articles with a focus on STEM sectors in India. We are looking at several ideas such as - New Faculty transition, Established Scientists in Indian academics, Current STEM events, Cutting edge Research in Indian Academia or Industry, Online STEM education, Creative STEM ventures, Start-up stories, Unique Careers and many more.

If you have any idea or unique story which you want to share with our members. please pitch them by writing to us at:

research.ops.india@gmail.com
Current Job Opportunities in India
Sci-ROI's job portal is dedicated for helping researchers and Ph.D. scholars accessing job opportunities in India. These job listings are targeted towards research, industry and entrepreneurship that may be of interest to the STEM community. Checkout some new additions to our Job Portal.
Current Affairs
The Quad Fellowship offers a unique combination of financial benefits, cross-cultural exchange, networking, and content programming. Each Quad Fellow will receive a one-time award of $50,000 which can be used for tuition, research, fees, books, room and board, and related academic expenses (e.g., registration fees, research-related travel). All Quad Fellows are eligible to apply for separate demonstrated needs-based funding of up to $25,000 to cover costs related to completing graduate-level studies.

The fellowship will develop a network of science and technology experts committed to advancing innovation and collaboration in the private, public, and academic sectors, in their own nations and among Quad countries. The program will build a foundational understanding among Quad Scholars of one another’s societies and cultures through cohort-wide trips and robust programming with each country’s top scientists, technologists, and politicians.

25 students will be awarded from each QUAD country.

Deadline: June 1, 2022 at 5pm EST

Apply here.
IndiaBioscience has recently launched a nationwide survey to assess the current status of independent life science researchers in India. The aim of this survey is to create actionable insights about the condition of independent investigators in India, which can then be used to influence and shape the direction of policy, discourse, as well as our own activities at IndiaBioscience. The survey contains questions about the hiring and evaluation process, receiving and providing mentorship, funding, infrastructure, administrative support, and work environment. 
 
Please note that this particular survey is meant for scientists and principal investigators (PIs) who lead their own labs (i.e. it is not designed to be filled by postdoctoral fellows or PhD students).


The survey can be accessed here.
Highlight of the month
Sci-ROI Global presents a brand new video series featuring experts from Indian academia and industry answering some frequently asked questions related to the transition of the Indian STEM diaspora back to India. In this video, representatives from several top Indian universities provide their perspectives on the most important factors that contribute to the selection of faculty candidates in Indian academia.

Watch the video here



Sci-ROI Global Team is excited to announce that we are coming up with a brand new Podcast series to feature Indian STEM professionals to share their stories with our members. Our team is working closely to present to you a diverse range of episodes such as 'Return to India' stories, Indian science highlights, Women in Indian Science, and much more. Stay tuned to our social media pages or join us as a member to hear to such inspiring podcasts on the way back home from your work. Stay tuned!
Interesting reads from Indian scientific community
The Minister said that the spirit of this one-week commemoration of “Vigyan Sarvatra Pujyate” is to celebrate and worship science. He said it is an opportunity to introspect and look at how we make up for what we did not have. The goal is also to take the science and scientific thinking to the common man, where he can benefit by imbibing scientific information and innovations and hence develop a deeply scientific mind, he added.

Dr. Jitendra Singh underlined Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi’s greeting to the scientists on National Science Day, wherein he said, "National Science Day greetings to all scientists and science enthusiasts. Let us reaffirm our commitment towards fulfilling our collective scientific responsibility and leveraging the power of science for human progress”.

Dr. Jitendra Singh said, “Vigyan Sarvatra Pujyate '' (Universal Reverence for Science), a nationwide programme that we commenced on February 22, 2022, at 75 locations including Delhi has received wide participation and all-round appreciation. During this National Science Week culminating today, that is national science day was an initiative to reflect the struggle and sacrifice that led to the emergence of modern science in India and also chart pathways for the next 25 years leading to the dream of 2047. This event was part of the “AzadiKa Amrit Mahotsav” celebrating the 75th Year of Indian Independence. Hence it is also an occasion to pay homage and showcase the achievements of the 75 glorious years of India’s Independence.

For full text, click here.
"In a move aimed at reforming the recruitment norms for central universities, the government is considering to bring in a provision for the appointment of professionals and industry experts as ‘professors and associate professors of practice’, officials privy to the matter said on Thursday. The provision will be made a part of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 implementation, that advocates bringing diversity in the university education system."

Read more here
Volunteer's Corner
BHASWATI SENGUPTA
Bhaswati is a biophysicist by profession working on single-molecule fluorescence microscopy. She is leading a project focused on the effect of histone mutations on the structure and dynamics of the nucleosomes and also on the Polymerase II-mediated transcription process. Outside her work, she is a cultural enthusiast taking part in and organizing cultural events.
When she came to know about Sci-ROI she was fascinated by the multidimensional approach of Sci-ROI in creating a platform for the discussion of scientific opportunities in various fields. She joined Sci-ROI team in February 2022 and is currently working as a part of the outreach and video editing team. She believes together we will be able to create awareness about the “Science and Research Opportunities in India

To learn more about Bhaswati click here.
CATHERINE GHOSH
Catherine is a biophysicist by training. She uses complementary experimental (single-molecule spectroscopy) and computational tools (molecular dynamics simulations) to study protein folding and protein-DNA interactions. She learnt about Sci-ROI during their virtual 2020 annual event when she was a final year PhD student. At that point, she decided that someday I would like to be a part of this organization and contribute to this wonderful initiative.

By volunteering at Sci-ROI, she is not only helping her fellow researchers who wish to return to India but also becoming aware of the various facets of this journey. As a member of the 2022 volunteer team, she assists with Sci-ROI outreach to the Indian diaspora located on the West Coast of the USA. She is also a part of the graphics and video team alongside chipping in with managing the funding and job database.

To learn more about Catherine click here.
If you want to share any information or upcoming event, please write to us at research.ops.india@gmail.com
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