Researchers from the University will seed the growth of the next generation of scientists in India and Nepal through the SITARE project recently awarded a grant by the Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF).
Associate Professor, Dr Poshak Gandhi, from the Department of Physics and Astronomy, will lead the one-year project alongside India’s Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA).
SITARE, which means ‘stars’ in Hindi, will start this spring and will target students from all four corners of India and one university in Nepal. It will involve working with the students in scientific workshops, training camps and study groups.
The GCRF aims to ensure that UK research takes a leading role in addressing the problems faced by developing countries. This grant will help inspire and train future astrophysicists in India and Nepal to address a skills shortage for their major projects.
Poshak says,
“India is constructing and operating massive infrastructure projects that are world leading in this field; however, in order to fully harness these opportunities, more advanced scientific and technical skills are required. Through SITARE, I hope that we can generate some inspirational knowledge transfer, create interactions with leading role models and support potential future research ‘stars’ in astrophysics and other STEM subjects.”
