A Message from the CEO & Scientific Director on IC-IMPACTS’ response to COVID-19
This is a difficult time for the global community; particularly for international students, Indigenous communities, and our colleagues engaged in research and business across international borders. As a leader in Canada-India research and technology collaborations, IC-IMPACTS recognizes our role in bringing together the brightest minds of Canada and India to combat the COVID-19 crisis.
I wanted to share with you what IC-IMPACTS is doing to play our part – starting with consulting 200 researchers across Canada and India from over 100 top research universities, inviting them to co-create innovative solutions.
IC-IMPACTS is leveraging the expertise of Canadian and Indian researchers, industrial partners, and affected communities to address this unprecedented crisis. Our actions are informed by the latest scientific research and the most reliable data. We are driven by our deep connections in Canada and India, through universities and leading research agencies.
Measures that we have taken so far include the following:
- We understand the difficulty our PIs are having in executing their IC-IMPACTS research projects due to the closures of universities, laboratories, and demonstration sites. We are here to help in any way we can and request PIs to remain in touch with us.
- IC-IMPACTS is soliciting project proposals within the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. This funding is available through our Innovative Demonstration Initiative. Projects may be a duration of up to 12 months with a budget of up to $25,000. In certain justified situations, a higher budget may be considered.
- We are reaching out to researchers to develop a more comprehensive response strategy, especially within the Canada-India corridor, as that remains a key area of IC-IMPACTS’ focus. If you have a project or idea in mind, we invite you to participate in an online meeting to discuss your ideas related to COVID-19, and how IC-IMPACTS can support you. Please write to us at [email protected].
- We are reaching out to our strategic partners, including India’s top research agencies, hospitals, and industrial partners, in a bid to help them connect and collaborate with their Canadian counterparts. I am happy to report that we are receiving an encouraging response from both countries.
- Our immediate concern is for a large number of students on Canadian university campuses who are affected by travel bans and who have lost their jobs. We have put together a list of resources for students and have provided this information on our website.
- We are making every attempt to keep students connected to their topics of research during this lockdown. We are encouraging weekly online seminars for students in both Canada and India, and welcome faculty and industry collaborators to join as well. The list of upcoming seminars is on our website, along with instructions on how to access the online meeting room.
IC-IMPACTS’ primary concern has always been the health and safety of our communities. Please feel free to share your suggestions for related Canada-India collaborative projects, by writing to us at [email protected].
Wishing you excellent health during the pandemic.
Sincerely,
Nemkumar (Nemy) Banthia
CEO & Scientific Director: Canada India Research Center of Excellence (IC-IMPACTS)
Professor, Distinguished University Scholar & Canada Research Chair in Infrastructure Rehabilitation (UBC)
COVID-19 Resources for Indian Students in Canada
The IC-IMPACTS Student Engagement Committee (SEC) has compiled the list of resources below:
