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Suggested Citation:"7 Collaboration and Going Forward in Partnership." National Academy of Sciences. 2016. Indo-U.S. Workshop on Challenges of Emerging Infections and Global Health Safety: Summary of a Workshop. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/21810.
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7

Collaboration and Going Forward in Partnership

Norman Neureiter began by noting that just prior to the workshop, a Joint Committees Meeting of the Indo-U.S. Science and Technology Forum, which is under the chairmanship of John Holdren and Vijay Raghavan, was held in New Delhi. During the meeting, all of the Forum-sponsored scientific activities between the two countries were reviewed.

The Indo-U.S. Science and Technology Forum1 was established in 2000, at a time when U.S.-Indian relations were not as amicable as they are today. It was created with a small amount of money, which came from the P.L. 480 funds2 that the United States owned in India, equivalent to $7 million. They were deposited in a bank, and those initial funds continue to gather interest, which is matched each year by the Indian government. This generates approximately $1.5 to $2 million dollars annually from which collaborative efforts are sponsored. It is not possible to have a big research program for $2 million a year, but it is possible to bring many people together for workshops and meetings, and to support travel grants, and so forth. Furthermore, a great deal of interest has been generated among people who have contributed funds from other sources. The total amount expended in 2013 was approximately $7.8 million, and a significant portion came from the Department of Science and Technology or from Indian government agencies that wanted to use this instrument to facilitate cooperation.

To sustain these activities, Neureiter noted that a commitment of funds on both sides is required. What the Forum can provide is the ability for people to come together and speak in detail about what sources might be available for further cooperation. Decisions on which proposals to

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1 For more information, see: http://www.iusstf.org/; accessed April 10, 2016.

2 Indian currency paid to the United States for purchase of food through a food assistance program.

Suggested Citation:"7 Collaboration and Going Forward in Partnership." National Academy of Sciences. 2016. Indo-U.S. Workshop on Challenges of Emerging Infections and Global Health Safety: Summary of a Workshop. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/21810.
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fund have been made jointly and no proposals are funded without approval from both the Indian and U.S. committees.

Discussion

The discussion following Neureiter’s presentation focused on the obstacles that prevent young scientists from being able to participate in international collaborative opportunities and ways to correct them.

Indira Nath noted that although discussion of larger issues is excellent and essential, there are smaller issues that can act as obstacles to cooperation, such as difficulties in obtaining visas. Young scientists face this obstacle in particular. This is a sensitive issue: Senior scientists in India have been fighting for government-sponsored travel fellowships for these young scientists so that they can attend international conferences. However, the recipients of these funds are frequently unable to attend because the visa process is incomplete even days before scheduled departure. Since the funds have been allocated for a certain person, they are effectively blocked because they cannot be given to another applicant on the waiting list with only one or two days left before the conference. It is unclear why applicants do not receive a timely decision on their visas. A U.S. participant expressed a common sentiment: it is unacceptable to have young people not be able to attend meetings, because it is one of the more important ways to foster collaboration.

Ganguly then made six general recommendations to advance Indo-U.S. cooperation: (1) improving partnerships by creating a unified action plan that can nurture and advance them; (2) strengthening regulations so that they are properly executed and not abused; (3) strengthening collaborations and partnerships with adequate financial and ethical architectures; (4) facilitating interaction to identify challenges and benefits, such as the MTA and visas; (5) strengthening existing agreements by examining how they worked and did not work; and, (6) creating a system in which all players, the governments, departments, institutes, and the individual scientists, can interact more fully.

Nath also added that the Global Academy of Young Scientists has been promoting young scientist academies in many countries. INSA has undertaken this initiative to establish an Indian Young Scientist Academy, to be formalized in December 2014. Members are elected from among Ph.D. students and scientists in their mid-forties. Grant also

Suggested Citation:"7 Collaboration and Going Forward in Partnership." National Academy of Sciences. 2016. Indo-U.S. Workshop on Challenges of Emerging Infections and Global Health Safety: Summary of a Workshop. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/21810.
×

noted that in the United States there are elected societies for younger scientists.

Nath added that many of the suggestions raised at the workshop were to train younger people on biosafety or research conduct. If these younger researchers from both countries have a mechanism by which they can meet, the culture will continue to grow. This is much better than just holding training courses in one country or another.

The U.S. Global Health Security Agenda3 was mentioned and some participants pointed out that there are aspects of the agenda that have long been in existence. Nonetheless, the idea of the initiative is to consolidate U.S. activities around global health security and then promote new initiatives. One of the initiatives is to create special partnerships with many countries around activities in global health security. India has taken a global lead in this agenda, and this workshop and the type of collaboration discussed are very consistent with the goals of the program.

CLOSING REMARKS

James LeDuc noted that the vigor of the workshop discussions clearly reflects the interests of experts from both India and the United States and their commitment to strengthening and deepening cooperation. These are important issues, and the only way to make progress is to work together going forward. It is very clear that the tone of the meeting encouraged collaboration, training, and leadership development. The stage is set for real progress in the future.

Raghavendra Gadagkar stated that no one would deny that the bilateral relationships between the United States and India in all spheres, but most certainly in science, hold benefits for all involved. Such positive interaction is never one way.

Diane Griffin’s remarks were focused on further concrete steps for cooperation. An INSA-NAS regional meeting, similar to this workshop, is planned for 2016, during which Indian leadership in south Asia will be a focal point for presentations and discussions.

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3 For more information see: http://www.globalhealth.gov/global-healthtopics/global-health-security/ghsagenda.html; accessed April 10, 2016.

Suggested Citation:"7 Collaboration and Going Forward in Partnership." National Academy of Sciences. 2016. Indo-U.S. Workshop on Challenges of Emerging Infections and Global Health Safety: Summary of a Workshop. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/21810.
×

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Suggested Citation:"7 Collaboration and Going Forward in Partnership." National Academy of Sciences. 2016. Indo-U.S. Workshop on Challenges of Emerging Infections and Global Health Safety: Summary of a Workshop. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/21810.
×
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Suggested Citation:"7 Collaboration and Going Forward in Partnership." National Academy of Sciences. 2016. Indo-U.S. Workshop on Challenges of Emerging Infections and Global Health Safety: Summary of a Workshop. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/21810.
×
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Suggested Citation:"7 Collaboration and Going Forward in Partnership." National Academy of Sciences. 2016. Indo-U.S. Workshop on Challenges of Emerging Infections and Global Health Safety: Summary of a Workshop. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/21810.
×
Page 161
Suggested Citation:"7 Collaboration and Going Forward in Partnership." National Academy of Sciences. 2016. Indo-U.S. Workshop on Challenges of Emerging Infections and Global Health Safety: Summary of a Workshop. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/21810.
×
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The United States and India have pledged to deepen the linkages between their people, their businesses, and their governments for the mutual benefit of both countries and for the promotion of global peace, stability, economic growth and prosperity. Both nations are now inclined to improve relations and cooperation, but the nations need specific actions that will yield progress and build confidence and momentum for further cooperation.

The Indo-U.S. Workshop on Challenges of Emerging Infections and Global Health Safety, held in November 2014, encouraged scientists from both countries to examine global issues related to emerging and existing infections and global health safety, to share experience and approaches, and to identify opportunities for cooperation to improve practice and research in these areas. This report summarizes the presentations and discussions from the workshop.

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