EXECUTIVE PROGRAMME OF SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL CO-OPERATION BETWEEN THE ITALIAN REPUBLIC AND THE REPUBLIC OF INDIA 2008-2010 New Delhi, November 21,2008 Pursuant to the Agreement on Scientific and Technological Co-operation between the Italian Republic and the Republic of India, signed in New Delhi, India, on 28 th November 2003 and duly ratified in 2005, the Executive Program on Cooperation in S&T for the year 2008-2010 is signed between the two Countries. The signatory on behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Italy: Ambassador of Italy in New Delhi H.E Roberto Toscano. The signatory on behalf of the Ministry of Science and Technology, India: Secretary Department of Science & Technology Dr. T. Ramasami. The institutions in charge of the co-ordination of the Executive Programme 2008-2010 are: For the Italian Party: Directorate for Cultural Promotion and Cooperation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs. For the Indian Party: Department of Science and Technology (International Cooperation Division), on behalf of the Ministry of Science and Technology. 1. Present state of scientific and technological co-operation The Parties have agreed to recognise the growing importance of science and technology for the economic, social and cultural development of the two Countries. The Parties are pleased to underline the favourable trend in scientific relations between the two Countries, their satisfaction with the Executive Programme for scientific and technological cooperation and the outcomes of the collaboration in the period 2005-2007, especially with regard to substantial increase in utilization of Italian Synchrotron Facility at Sincrotrone Trieste by Indian scientists and an overall improved and balanced two way mobility of researchers. Both Parties place particular emphasis on the role of international co-operation for the further development of the S&T system in the two Countries. They have also agreed to pay serious attention to: (i) Strategic bilateral science, technology and innovation initiatives; (ii) Participation of research entities from India and Italy in international large scale advanced research facilities /international mega-science projects/joint centres of excellence; (iii) Exploratory Scientific Missions & Strategic Bilateral Workshops on issues such as exchange of best practices and experience on Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises Clusters & Innovation in fields of mutual competence and interest. Italian & Indian research entities will continue their efforts to benefit from international and European multilateral R&D programmes such as EU 7 th Framework Programme.
2 2. Selection and approval of the joint projects for the years 2008-2010 In the period 17 th August 30 th September 2007 a joint call for proposals was simultaneously released in India and Italy in the following priority areas: 1 Electronics, Telecommunications and Computer Sciences 2 Health, Food and Biotechnology 3 Design Engineering and Technology 4 Materials Science and Technology 5 Physics, Technology and Application of Accelerated Particles 6 Transport Systems including Automotive Technologies 7 Energy and Environment 8 Cultural Heritage Conservation and Restoration Technologies The criteria adopted in selecting the joint research projects were: Quality of consortia and complementarities of skills; Methodology, approach, strategy, structure, and documentation; Sufficiency of existing and proposed research infrastructure ; Level of originality and innovation; Social and developmental added value for Italy and India ; Merit of collaboration; Exploitation of results, viability of deliverables. In compliance with the above mentioned criteria, the two Parties approved for co-funding 23 joint research projects listed in Annex 1A. Financial terms for meeting expenses on mobility of scientists is given at Annex 3. Both Parties agree on the indications of 4 significant bilateral projects (Annex 2) and may consider granting a financial contribution to these projects on annual basis and in function of the funds available. Financial rules indicated in the Agreement for ITPAR Phase II 2007-2009, signed on January 18, 2007, will be applicable to ITPAR Phase II projects implementation. In addition, in Annex 1B are listed 3 on-going projects of Executive Program 2005-2007 to be carried forward to Executive Program 2008-2010 to facilitate full valorisation of scientific results obtained so far. The remaining projects of Executive Program 2005-2007 are regarded as closed by both Parties due to fulfilment of project objectives or for reasons including: (i) Balanced exchange visits undertaken but not supported by substantive tangible deliverables; (ii) Visits under-utilized and one sided mobility; (iii) Unilateral interest manifestation; (iv) Joint accomplishments in the form of published papers/patents not sufficient; (v) Inadequate explanation for purpose of extension and quality and advantage likely from unfinished tasks to be allowed during the next POC tenure. The financing of the selected projects will be based on the national regulations being in force in both Countries.
3 Both Parties acknowledge the importance of the exchange of Exploratory Scientific Missions & Strategic Bilateral Workshops for building strategic bilateral science, technology and innovation initiatives under the frame of Indo-Italian Executive Program in S&T 2008-2010. 3. Financial conditions of the cooperation The agreed administrative and financial provisions for the implementation of the Executive Programme 2008-2010 are given in Annex 3. 4. Closing Session 4.1. Place and date of the next meeting The two Parties have agreed that, in order to define the Executive Programme of Cooperation in S&T for the years 2010-2012, the session of the Joint S&T Committee will be held in India. Details about the date and venue will be agreed upon through diplomatic channels. 4.2. Recommendation for future actions The Parties stressed the importance to focus in the future more on the results and the outcomes of the joint projects. 4.3. Final provisions All initiatives foreseen in Executive Programme in S&T for 2008-2010 will be carried out within the limits of the budgets and according to the rules prevailing in each Country. The present Executive Programme for the years 2008-2010 will remain valid until the signature of the next one, but no longer than one year after its expiry. The present document, including the Annexes 1A, 1B, 2 and 3 which are integral part of it, has been drawn up and signed in New Delhi on November 21,2008 in two originals in English language. For the Indian Party For the Italian Party Dr.T. Ramasami Secretary Department of Science and Technology On behalf of the Ministry of Science and Technology H.E Mr.Roberto Toscano Ambassador of Italy in India On behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
4 Annex 1A List of the Joint Research Projects in the framework of the Executive Programme of Scientific and Technological Co-operation for the years 2008-2010 PRIORITY RESEARCH AREAS Electronics, Telecommunications and Computer Sciences Health, Food and Biotechnology Design Engineering and Technology Materials Science and Technology Physics, Technology and Application of Accelerated Particles Transport Systems including Automotive Technologies Energy and Environment Cultural Heritage Conservation and Restoration Technologies ABBREVIATIONS ETCS HFB DET MST PhT TS EE CHCRT S. No Research Area Code Project Title Italian Coordinator Indian Coordinator CHCRT - CULTURAL HERITAGE, CONSERVATION & RESTORATION TECHNOLOGIES (1) 82 CHCRT 1 Microbiological analysis of biofilms on stone artefacts and their conservation by chemically and biologically synthesized nanomaterials Piero BAGLIONI University of Florence CSGI-Department of Chemistry DET - DESIGN ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGIES (2) 73 DET 1 Rock characterization for dimension stone cutting by diamond wire saw 78 DET 2 Development of an efficient Parallel code for large-scale Radiation modelling (PARAD) 3 EE 1 Studies on doped ceria nanopowders for electrochemical energy applications Marilena CARDU Politecnico di Torino Romano BORCHIELLINI Politecnico di Torino Dipartimento di Energetica EE - ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT (7) Paolo FORNASIERO University of Trieste Department of Chemistry Seema BHADAURIA Agra University Raja Balwant Singh College Department of Botany V.M.S.R. MURTHY Indian School of Mines University Dhanbad Subhash C. MISHRA Indian Institute of Technology Department of Mechanical Engineering Guwahati Gangavarapu RANGA RAO Indian Institute of Technology Department of Chemistry
5 4 EE 2 Effect of heavy metal pollution on soil functionality 23 EE 3 Regional atmospheric environment and intercontinental transport of pollutants 32 EE 4 Energy Planning using optimization methodology 65 EE 5 Investigation on core annular flow-an energy efficient mode of transporting highly viscous oil 81 EE 6 Synthesis and characterization of hydrogenated nanocrystalline silicon (nc-si:h) for solar cell fabrication 94 EE 7 Neodeterministic seismic hazard assessment in Indian Megacities Paolo NANNIPIERI Università di Firenze Dipartimento della Scienza del Suolo e Nutrizione della Pianta Giovanna FINZI Università degli Studi di Brescia Facoltà di Ingegneria Dipartimento di Elettronica per l'automazione Michele TROVATO Politecnico di Bari Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering (DEE) Pietro POESIO Università degli Studi di Brescia, Dipartimento di Ingegneria Meccanica Nicola PINTO University of Camerino Department of Physics Giuliano F. PANZA University of Trieste Department of Earth Sciences Chennai Averti NAGARAJU S.V. University Department of Geology Tirupati Gufran BEIG Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology Pune L. SUGANTHI Anna University Department of Management Studies Chennai PrasantaKumar DAS Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur Sandesh R. JADKAR University of Pune Department of Physics Imtiyaz A. PARVEZ CSIR Centre for Mathematical Modelling and Computer Simulation (C-MMACS) Bangalore HFB - HEALTH, FOOD & BIOTECHNOLOGY (7) 5 HFB 1 Systemic pathogens of fruit tree crops in India: molecular investigation and development of control strategies 16 HFB 2 Protein-S- Homocysteinylathion as a biomarker in the vascular damage: analytical aspects and clinical evaluations Marina BARBA CRA - Centro di Ricerca per la Patologia Vegetale Roma Ciriaco CARRU University of Sassari Department of Biomedical Sciences Aijaz A. ZAIDI Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology Palampur Shantanu Sengupta Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology New Delhi
6 35 HFB 3 Neuro-nanotechnologyquantum dot applications in invertebrate models 54 HFB 4 To study the influence of self assembling nanofiber scaffolds in the cell growth and differentiation of human retinal progenitor/stem cells 86 HFB 5 Design synthesis and characterization of nanomaterials for use in imaging, drug delivery and therapy 60 HFB 6 Brain MRI studies of motor and behavioural function in health and disease, with particular emphasis on stroke HFB7 Structure function studies on signalling proteins from the malaria parasite Dario SONETTI University of Modena and Reggio Emilia Fabrizio GELAIN University of Milan Bicocca Department of Biosciences and Biotechnology Alvise BENEDETTI Università Ca' Foscari di Venezia Dipartimento di Chimica Fisica Marco FIORELLI University of Rome 'La Sapienza' Department of Neurological Sciences Carlo PEDONE CRdC DFM Centro Regionale di Competenza in Diagnostica e Farmaceutica Molecolari Napoli Pradip Kumar KAR Jhargram Raj College Jhargram S. KRISHNAKUMAR Department of Ocular Pathology Vision Research Foundation Shankar Netralaya Chennai B. JAGANNADH Indian Institute of Chemical Technology Hyderabad Arun Kumar GUPTA Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology Department of Imaging Sciences & Interventional Radiology Trivandrum Amit Sharma ICGEB International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology New Delhi MST- MATERIAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGIES (4) 26 MST 1 Natural fibre based hybrid yarns and their thermoplastic composites Marta RINK Politecnico di Milano Dipartimento di Chimica, Materiali e Ingegneria Chimica "G. Natta" R. ALAGIRUSAMY Indian Institute of Technology Department of Textile Technology Delhi 28 MST 2 Designing novel photosystems for enhanced charge transfer efficiency: a detailed theoretical modelling Anna PAINELLI Università degli Studi di Parma Swapan K PATI JNCASR Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research Bangalore
7 45 MST 3 Theoretical investigation of Stefano de Shobhana oxide supported metal GIRONCOLI NARASIMHAN nanoparticle catalysts SISSA Scuola Internazionale JNCASR Superiore di Studi Jawaharlal Nehru Avanzati Centre for Advanced Trieste Scientific Research Bangalore 85 MST 4 Innovative catalytic patterns for nanowire growth Stefan HEUN NEST CNR-INFM Giridhar U. KULKARNI Scuola Normale JNCASR Superiore (SNS) Jawaharlal Nehru Pisa Centre for Advanced Scientific Research Bangalore PhT - PHYSICS, TECHNOLOGY & APPLICATION OF ACCELERATED PARTICLES (2) 17 PhT 1 Applications of fast electrons and ions produced in ultrahigh intensity laser matter interactions 72 PhT 2 Study of exotic nuclei far away from stability by means of high intensity ion beams Alessandro GALASSI Università di Milano Bicocca Dipartimento di Fisica G. Occhialini Giacomo de ANGELIS INFN-Laboratori Nazionali di Legnaro Ravindra Kumar G. TIFR Tata Institute of Fundamental Research Mumbai Sudeb BHATTACHARYA Saha Institute for Nuclear Physics Kolkata
8 Annex 1B List of the on-going projects from Executive Program 2005-2007 to be carried forward to Executive Program 2008-2010 S. No Research Area Code Project Title Italian Coordinator Indian Coordinator 11 ER Enabling technologies for the design and implementation of next generation optical internet prototype based on optical packet switching ELECTRONICS & ROBOTICS Giancarlo PRATI Scuola Superiore Sant Anna di Studi Universitari e Perfezionamento, Pisa R. GANGOPADHYAY IIT Kharagpur 35 MST Spectroscopic investigations of dippen nanolithogpraphy patterns 39 MST Effect of local environment on catalytic activity MATERIALS SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY Stefan HEUN TASC National Laboratory, National Institute for Physics of Matter, Basovizza Stefano DE GIRONCOLI Scuola Internazionale Superiore Studi Avanzati(SISSA) Trieste CNR RAO JNCASR Bangalore S. NARASIMHAN JNCASR Bangalore
9 S. No Annex 2 List of the Significant Bilateral Projects in the framework of the Executive Programme of Scientific and Technological Co-operation for the years 2008-2010 Research Area Code Project Title Italian Coordinator Indian Coordinator MATERIAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGIES 59 MST 2 Spintronic devices for mass-scale electronics Roberto CINGOLANI National Nanotechnology Laboratory of CNR-INFM Distretto Tecnologico di Lecce Dipankar DAS SARMA Centre for Advanced Materials Indian Association for Cultivation of Science Jadavpur Kolkata PHYSICS, TECHNOLOGY & APPLICATION OF ACCELERATED PARTICLES 89 PhT 1 Collaboration in the field of accelerator technology & application between Sincrotrone S.C.p.A. and Indian Institutions identified by Department of Science & Technology Government of India Giorgio PAOLUCCI Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.p.A. Trieste ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT Dipankar DAS SARMA Centre for Advanced Materials Indian Association for Cultivation of Science Kolkata 39 EE Development of Novel Antioxidant Drugs Luciano SASO Dept. of Human Physiology and Pharmacology "Vittorio Erspamer", Sapienza University of Rome Dr. Ashok K. PRASAD Deptt. of Chemistry, University of Delhi ELECTRONICS, TELECOMMUNICATIONS & COMPUTER SCIENCES DST ITP AR Phas e II ET&CS ITPAR India-Trento Program for advanced research Phase II Riccardo ZANDONINI Faculty of Engineering, University of Trento Kota HARINAYANA National Aerospace Laboratories, Bangalore
10 Annex 3 Financial & administrative provisions for implementing the approved joint activities under the framework of Indo Italian Executive Programme of Cooperation in S&T for the period 2008-2010. The joint projects to be financed within the present Programme are mentioned in Annexes 1A, 1B and 2. The researchers will be entitled to the exchange only if they hold Italian nationality (or EU nationality) and Indian nationality. The international travel expenses between the two cooperating partner institutions shall be borne by the Sending Party. The Receiving Party shall provide local hospitality including lodging and boarding (or per diem in lieu). (Paragraph 3.1 refers). Each Party shall provide their visiting researchers with a medical insurance coverage against accidents and illness, excluding already existing and chronic diseases. The researchers have to submit to the Parties within 30 days after finishing their visit, a debriefing report on the activities carried out. The report must be co-signed by both the Indian and Italian researchers involved in the joint project. 3.1. Provisions for Joint Projects based on mobility (Annexes 1A and 1B) STAY OF INDIAN RESEARCHERS IN ITALY The Italian Party will finance, yearly, for each project listed in Annexes 1A and 1B one short term (ST) stay (up to 10 days) and one long term (LT) stay (1 full month = 30 days). The application for both long and short term research stays shall be submitted exclusively to the Italian diplomatic Representations in India. These applications must be received, by the Office V of the General Directorate for Cultural Promotion and Cooperation of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, no less than two months before the beginning of the visit. The application consists in the following documents (to be presented in two copies): 1) letter of engagement of the host Institution; 2) application Form undersigned by the Indian researcher comprehensive of personal and professional applicant data, title of the project, date and length of the visit, list of the institutes to visit (2 original application forms); the Application Form is available at: www.esteri.it/mae/it following the breadcrumb Foreign Policy > Culture> Scientific and Technological Cooperation > Executive programmes > Researcher Mobility 3) detailed Programme of the visit; 4) curriculum Vitae of the researcher; 5) letter of appointment by the head of the project (if the head of the project is not traveling in person); 6) declaration in which the researcher commits himself/herself: - to respect the indicated period of visit; - not to receive retributions by other National/International Organisations or Corporations during
11 his/her stay; - not to change the Programme or destination of the visit and not to leave Italy without authorization; - to present within 30 days from the end of the visit, a debriefing report on the activities carried out; - to transmit, for insurance purpose, to INA Assitalia MARSH S.p.A, Piazza Marconi 25, 00144 Roma, notice of any accidents and/or illness which may have occurred in Italy. Cancellations, unless seriously documented, shall prevent the hosting Party from accepting further applications for related missions. The Italian Party shall provide 1300 Euro per month for long term stays (30 days) and 93 Euro per day for short term stays (up to10 days). The above amounts shall be paid to the Indian researchers entirely on their arrival in Italy. Indian researchers will receive their grants at the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in case they stay in Rome, or at the nearest Provincial Treasury (Local Branch of the Banca d Italia). STAY OF ITALIAN RESEARCHERS IN INDIA The Indian Party will finance, yearly, for each project listed in Annexes 1A and 1B one short term (ST) stay (up to 10 days) and one long term (LT) stay (1 full month = 30 days). The application for both long and short term research stays shall be submitted exclusively through the Italian diplomatic Representations in India to DST (IC Division), Technology Bhavan, New Delhi 110016. These applications must be received no less than two months before the beginning of the visit. The application consists in the following documents (to be presented in two copies): 1) letter of engagement of the host Institution; 2) application Form undersigned by the Italian researcher comprehensive of personal and professional applicant data, title of the project, date and length of the visit, list of the institutes to visit; 3) detailed Programme of the visit; 4) curriculum Vitae of the researcher; 5) letter of appointment by the head of the project (if the head of the project is not traveling in person); 6) declaration in which the researcher commits himself/herself: - to respect the indicated period of visit; - not to receive retributions by other International Organisations or Corporations during his/her stay; - not to change the Programme or destination of the visit and not to leave Italy without authorization; - to present within 30 days from the end of the visit, a debriefing report on the activities carried out; Cancellations, unless seriously documented, shall prevent the hosting Party from accepting further applications for related missions. Indian DST will extend local hospitality cost covering board expenses at the rate of Rs.1000/day for ST stay and Rs. 12,000/month for LT stay plus Free Guest House Accomodation. Italian researcher will receive payment of per diem at the Indian Host Institution, out of DST project grant.
12 JOURNEY OF ITALIAN RESEARCHERS TRAVELLING TO INDIA The Italian Party will pay the roundtrip airline ticket in economic class only from the place of work in the home country to the place of work in the foreign country. Italian researchers willing to travel to India for stays at the local Institutions, must present, two months in advance the departure date, a formal application to the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Direzione Generale per la Promozione e Co-operazione Culturale, Ufficio V, Piazzale della Farnesina 1, 00194 Roma. The application is to be completed with: 1 name and address of the hosting Institution; 2 foreseen dates of departure and arrival; 3 title of the research project; 4 letter of invitation by the hosting Institution; 5 declaration of Italian researcher with the engagement: - to pay the due penalties in case of travel cancellation; - to deliver travel documents (air tickets and boarding cards) within 15 days after his/her return; - to write final report on the activities carried out within 30 days after his/her return; 6 declaration of the project s co-ordinator concerning the participation of the researcher in the project (only in case the researcher is not the project s responsible). All the described rules are available at the following address: www.esteri.it/mae/it following the breadcrumb Foreign Policy > Culture> Scientific and Technological Cooperation > Executive programmes > Researcher Mobility, according to the present site architecture. JOURNEY OF INDIAN RESEARCHERS TRAVELLING TO ITALY The Indian Party will pay the roundtrip travel cost by economy excursion class only from the place of work in the home country to the place of work in the foreign country. Indian researchers willing to travel to Italy for stays at the Italian institution must present, two months in advance the departure date, a formal application to Department of Science & Technology (International Cooperation Division ), Technology Bhavan New Delhi 110016. The application is to be completed with: 1. name and address of the hosting Institution; 2. foreseen dates of departure and arrival; 3. title of the research project; 4. letter of invitation by the hosting Institution; 5. declaration of Indian researcher with the engagement: to pay the due penalties in case of travel cancellation; to deliver travel documents (air tickets and boarding cards) within 15 days after his/her return; to write final report on the activities carried out within 30 days after his/her return; 6. declaration of the project s co-ordinator concerning the participation of the researcher in the project (only in case the researcher is not the project s responsible).