The European Research Day will offer participants the opportunity to engage with experts and official representatives from several European countries
OdishaPlus Bureau
This year’s European Research Day was held in Bhubaneswar, in collaboration with the Delegation of the European Union to India and EURAXESS India, and with the support of KIIT University Bhubaneswar and Bhubaneswar City Knowledge Innovation Cluster, at the Mayfair Convention. This event delved into the strategic partnership between the EU and India in research and innovation, showcasing opportunities for Indian students to apply for world-class fellowships, and researchers to collaborate with the EU and its Member States. Tailored for the academic community in and around Bhubaneswar, the event highlighted funding opportunities and collaborative projects under Horizon Europe, such as EU-India co-funding calls, European Research Council and Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Grants, as well as research and innovation and fellowship programmes offered by the EU Member States.
During the event, participants got the opportunity to engage directly with distinguished official representatives from Czechia, France, Germany, Hungary, and The Netherlands. These experts presented opportunities for bilateral cooperation and career development pathways designed to promote collaborative research initiatives. Additionally, attendees gained valuable insights into the support services provided by the EURAXESS India network, which facilitates EU-India research collaborations and opportunities for career pathways in Europe.
The event commenced with a welcome address from Mr. Pierrick Fillon-Ashida, First Counsellor at the Delegation of the EU to India. Keynote address was delivered by Prof. Mrutyunjay Suar, Director General (R&D and Innovation), KIIT University Bhubaneswar.
Testimonies on EU Fellowships and existing EU-India cooperation were shared, and representatives from various EU countries presented research, innovation, and study opportunities in Europe. The closing remarks were held by Dr. Namrata Misra, Chief Executive Officer, Bhubaneswar City Knowledge Innovation Cluster and Dr. Samrat S. Kumar, EURAXESS India. A networking session offered further engagement and dialogue for participants.
The EU, which consists of 27 countries, has the world’s second largest economy and its third largest population, after China and India. Almost 100,000 Indian students are currently studying in EU. Europe is a major destination for higher studies and research for Indian students through fellowship programmes. Indians rank third in terms of grants, after the US and Canadian nationals.