IISER Pune is hosting a delegation of 24 scientists and students from Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel. This is the first time in history of IISER Pune that such a large delegation has visited the institute with the intent of developing academic and research collaboration. Researchers from the two institutions are interacting via a three-day conference on Chemical Biology (January 17-19, 2018). The conference is a platform to present cutting-edge advancements in chemical biology by leading scientists from IISER Pune and Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel. This meeting will also serve as a vehicle to foster Indo-Israel collaborations and exchange of ideas as well as exposure of trainees to new opportunities.
Prof. Sanjeev Galande, Dean R&D said, “The Weizmann Institute of Science is one of the world’s leading multidisciplinary basic research institutions in the natural and exact sciences. This delegation visit seeds the new beginning of collaboration between the two institutes.” Dr. Naresh Sharma, Head of International Relations, added “I am delighted that this visit is a good start of joint efforts to identify potential ideas of mutual interest for joint-funding leading to staff mobility and student exchange resulting in joint publications”.
“IISER Pune has impressed us as an emerging center for scientific excellence,” says Prof. Irit Sagi, Dean of the Feinberg Graduate School of the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel, who is leading the delegation. “We believe there is a good potential for grassroots scientific collaborations and student exchange,” remarks Prof. Ziv Reich, Chair of the Weizmann Board of Studies in the Life Sciences. According to Prof. Boris Rybtchinski, Chair of the Weizmann Board of Studies in Chemistry, the scientific content of the plenary sessions and the poster presentations is at a very high level. “The conference is well organized and our hosts are going out of their way to make us feel at home,” compliments Dr. Ami Shalit, Academic secretary of the Feinberg Graduate School.
The Weizmann delegates and their IISER colleagues hope that the present pilot exchange initiative will yield long-term positive results for both institutions.
