Dr. Arvind Natu (Chemistry, IISER Pune) has been honoured by the German Government with the prestigious ‘Cross of Merit’.

Cross of Merit is one of the highest tributes paid to a foreign national by the Government of Germany and is a part of the Order of Merit. It is given to German or foreign nationals to recognize and acknowledge their contribution to the peaceful rise of the country.

The recognition has been conferred on Dr. Natu for his contributions towards strengthening the association between India and Germany in the fields of science and education. He was presented with the medal and citation of Cross of Merit by Consul General of Federal Republic of Germany in Mumbai, Dr. Jürgen Morhard on June 11, 2018.

TheConsul General presents Dr. Natu with the Citation

The Citation

Dr Natu did his post-doctoral research in Germany with a Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst [DAAD] (German Academic Exchange Service) scholarship. He was a scientist at National Chemical Laboratory, Pune till 2007 and has been associated with IISER Pune right since its inception. Besides his scientific achievements and important role in infrastructure development at IISER Pune, Dr. Natu has been very active in outreach, taking IISER Pune’s activities to large and small cities all over India.  He has also been closely involved with India’s representation at Chemistry Olympiads, accompanying the Indian contingent to several editions.

Recipient of a DAAD scholarship himself, Dr. Natu has had a long association with the Service, working as advisor and subsequently Research Ambassador (India) for DAAD. He has been instrumental in fostering bilateral exchange of scientists and researchers between India and Germany, and facilitating mobility of Indian students to Germany for further studies. He was instrumental in sending IISER Pune students to Germany under WISE and other fellowship programmes. He has also taken the initiative in starting German language courses for students of IISER Pune.