Indian research fellowship big hit in Africa

Cairo: India's C.V. Raman International Research fellowship for
African researchers is turning out to be a big hit, with 86 candidates
from 26 African nations availing it in the inaugural 2010 programme.

African researchers have praised the fellowship as being mutually
beneficial to both India and Africa, according to a report on the
Indian embassy website here. The fellowship covers travel expenses to
India apart from providing monthly allowance up to Rs.50,000.

Mohammed Beyan, a researcher from Ethiopia said, "The fellowship has
made an immense contribution in bringing the scientific communities in
India and Africa together to solve problems through research. Indian
experience in research and education can be directly adopted and
utilized by Africans."

Nigerian researcher Bukola Olanika Oyebanji said "Thanks to the
fellowship, I was exposed to modern technologies, especially in the
areas of tissue culture. Also I was able to carry out experiments for
which facilities were not available in my country."

"The fellowship is mutually beneficial. Indian scientists acquire
knowledge on how African scientists are tackling challenges faced by
farmers in Africa," said Kenyan researcher Joseph Njuguna Kari.

The Department of Science and Technology and the Federation of Indian
Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) instituted the fellowship
last year for providing opportunities for African researchers. The aim
is to conduct collaborative research with universities and R&D
institutions in various areas of science and technology.

C.V. Raman (1888-1970) was an Indian physicist who won the Nobel Prize
in 1930 for his contribution in physics. The deadline for this year's
C.V. Raman fellowship programme is July 31. IANS