Canada and India Invest $3.7 Million to Solve Infrastructure and Water Challenges

Canada and India Invest $3.7 Million to Solve Infrastructure and Water Challenges

IC-IMPACTS, a Network of Centres of Excellence funded by the Federal Government of Canada, the Department of Science and Technology, India (DST), and the Department of Biotechnology, India (DBT) have invested a total of $3.7 million to fund 9 research projects in the infrastructure and water sectors.

With aging infrastructure and limited access to clean water across Canada and India, these research projects have the potential to significantly improve the lives of millions of people in both nations.

IC-IMPACTS began working with the Government of India departments earlier in 2014 to strengthen the overall research and innovation relationship between Canada and India. DBT and IC-IMPACTS launched a “Water for Health” initiative, inviting researchers from across Canada and India to submit collaborative research proposals in the areas of water and health. DST and IC-IMPACTS launched a similar call later in the year, seeking projects related to infrastructure and water.

Both Calls for Proposals proved to be a great success, attracting over 80 applications from 76 different Canadian and Indian institutions.

After a rigorous review process, 9 research projects addressing significant infrastructure and water challenges have been co-funded. Each project consists of a Canadian team and an Indian team working together to create an inventive solution to our nation’s most pressing challenges, and taking those solutions into communities. Treating industrial wastewater, removing heavy metals from water sources, and evaluating the integrity of railway tracts and bridges are only a few of the challenges being addressed by these projects.

By bringing safer infrastructure and cleaner water to communities in need, IC-IMPACTS, DST, and DBT are working to greatly improve the health of millions of Canadian and Indian citizens.

DST-IC-IMPACTS collaboration has led to a solid foundation of collaboration between the two countries’ research sectors, and more recent project support will definitely boost Joint Research and Innovation significantly in upcoming years. I wish success to all the potential PIs of two countries”

– Dr. Naveen Vasishta, Scientist ‘E’/Director, DST.

“I am confident that these joint projects will lead to significant outcomes which both Canada and India will be proud of. These projects will help spur innovation, transform communities and foster trade between the two nations. We at IC-IMPACTS remain highly indebted to the Governments of Canada and India for this opportunity and their continued support. “

– Dr. Nemy Banthia, CEO & Scientific Director, IC-IMPACTS

IC-IMPACTS & DBT
4 Projects, $2.4 Million combined funding

IC-IMPACTS & DST
5 Projects, $1.3 Million combined funding

Canadian Lead: Dr. Kwang Victor Lo (The University of British Columbia)

Indian Lead: Dr. Pradeep Kumar (IIT Roorkee)

Project Title: An innovative sustainable biotechnology for resource recovery from wastewater streams using microwave enhanced advanced oxidation with algae

Canadian Lead: Dr. Lucia Tirca (Concordia University)

Indian Lead: Dr. Doraj Panigrahi (Central Building Research Institute, Roorkee)

Project Title: Structural health monitoring of tall buildings using vibration based techniques

Canadian Lead: Dr. Shiv Prasher (McGill University)

Indian Lead: Dr. Rameshwar Kanwar (Lovely Professional University)

Project Title: An innovative green technology for treating municipal and industrial wastewater entering rivers and streams

Canadian Lead: Dr. Mustafa Gul (University of Alberta)

Indian Lead: Dr. Pradipta Banerji (IIT Roorkee)

Project Title: Evaluating the Integrity of Railway Infrastructure in India and Canada with an Emphasis on Bridges and Tracks

Canadian Lead: Dr. David Juncker (McGill University)

Indian Lead: Dr. Rohit Srivastava (IIT Bombay)
Project Title: Development of a low-cost monitoring kit for multiplex heavy metal detection based on aptamer sensors

Canadian Lead: Dr. Shamim Sheikh (University of Toronto)
Indian Lead: Dr. Umesh Sharma (IIT Roorkee)
Project Title: Sustainable Infrastructure Using Smart FRPs

Canadian Lead: Dr. Damase Khasa (Université à Laval)

Indian Lead: Dr. A. Manzoor Shah (University of Kashmir)

Project Title: Biomonitoring of water quality in relation to human health using biosensors and improvements through nano particle based purification systems

Canadian Lead: Dr. Rishi Gupta (University of Victoria)
Indian Lead: Dr. Balasubramanian Esakki (VelTech Rangarajan)
Project Title: Full Field Non-Contact Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) Protocols for Long Span Railway Bridges and Heritage Structures

Canadian Lead: Dr. Govind Gopakumar (Concordia University)
Indian Lead: Dr. N.C. Narayanan (IIT Bombay)
Project Title: A study of technology and financial appropriateness of water and wastewater infrastructure in selected cities of India

About Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India
The Department of Science & Technology (DST) was established with the objective of promoting new areas of Science & Technology (S&T) and to play the role of a nodal department for organizing, coordinating and promoting S&T activities in India. The department is mandated to formulate policy statements and guidelines and to support basic and applied research in national institutions.
More information: http://www.dst.gov.in/

About Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India
The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) is one of the leading research organizations for biotechnology in India, and an important funding source for biotechnology. DBT is mandated to promote large scale use of biotechnology and to support research, development and manufacturing in the biology industry. DBT also promotes national and international collaborations with academia and industry, and provides supports research and development through the establishment of infrastructure facilities.
More information: http://dbtindia.nic.in/index.asp