Royal Society London chooses Bengaluru for first Commonwealth Science Conference

Bengaluru: Mirroring a summit where heads of states confabulate, high-profile scientists from Commonwealth countries will meet in Bengaluru for a three day conference, beginning November 25 to address common challenges like climate change, health and development of new materials, and to explore opportunities for collaboration in research.

The first Commonwealth Science Conference (CSC), to be hosted by the Royal Society, London, also aims at inspiring young scientists and PhD students by providing them an opportunity to make presentations on their work and network with the Who’s Who in Science from member countries—Nobel laureates like Sir Paul Nurse and Britain’s Astronomer Royal, Sir Martin Rees, presidents of Science academies, and Bharat Ratna Prof C.N.R. Rao.

“We anticipate representatives from over 30 countries,” said a spokesperson of the Royal Society, adding “the Commonwealth forms a significant part of the global scientific community, with 12 per cent of the world’s researchers, and under ten per cent of global R&D expenditure.”

Prof. Rao, who is the working chairman of the organizing committee, said this meet would help foster a strong bond between scientists of Commonwealth countries.
Besides advances in physical sciences, life sciences and engineering, the participants will also discuss science policies and present a region-wise update on Science.

To showcase the strides achieved in India, Mr. N. R. Narayana Murthy, founder of Infosys Technologies Ltd, Mrs. Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, head of Biocon Ltd, and Dr. K. Kasturirangan, former chairman, ISRO will speak at a special session titled “Entrepreneurship and Innovation in India. President Pranab Mukherjee will inaugurate the conference alongside Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, the special guest at the inaugural.