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2009-Year of Science and Education of Switzerland in India

After successfully completing the celebration of 60 years of the Friendship Treaty between India and Switzerland in 2008, the celebration of this great friendship is being carried forwards in the year 2009, under the theme of Science and Education.

The first bi-lateral treaty in the field of science and technology-the Indo-Swiss Agreement on Technical and Scientific Cooperation was signed in 1966. This was followed by a number of other bi-lateral treaties in this field. The appointment of a Counsellor for Science and Technology at the Embassy and an Executive Director, swissnex, for India, emphasized the commitment towards strengthening ties between both countries and especially in the field of S&T. The year 2009 has been commenced with various projects, planned and finalized, under the theme of science and education with the objective of expanding the horizons of synergies between both countries.

Meet the Press Program

'Meet the Press program' was held on 03.04.09. at the Press Club of India, New Delhi. The event saw a number of journalists, from the print and electronic media, attend the function. The Ambassador of Switzerland presided over the function and the evening was concluded with an interaction session over Swiss wine and cheese.

Get to know Switzerland better

The first phase of the project 'Get to know Switzerland better' was conducted on 30.04.09. in Delhi at The Banyan Tree School. The culmination saw the final round of the quiz being held, exhibition of T-shirts made by the participating students and the prize distribution ceremony. In all, 40 schools participated and the event saw excellent media coverage with HT, TOI, Pioneer, Aaj Tak etc. reporting it.

The consequent phases were conducted in Kolkata, Chennai and Mumbai, again amongst great enthusiasm and media coverage.

Besides the above project, Friendship in Diversity, which included the conductions of presentations by students on Switzerland and India, was conducted in four cities across August and September.

Visit of Prof. Claude Nicollier and Ms. Muriel Noca

Prof. Claude Nicollier, renowned Swiss astronaut and Ms. Muriel Noca, Project Manager, SwissCube, visited India from 10. - 13./17.08.09. respectively. The cities of Delhi, Kolkata and Bangalore were covered. Joint presentations were made by Prof. Nicollier and Ms. Noca in Delhi and Bangalore for school students, who very much enjoyed the same, while posing some interesting questions, making the whole session extremely interactive. Apart from this, a model making competition was also organized, based on the theme of 'Astronomy-establishing the Indo-Swiss link', which saw some unique entries.

Swiss Week at Delhi University

A Swiss Week was held at the Department of Germanic and Romance Studies, Delhi University. The culmination on 22.09.09. saw the Ambassador of Switzerland, His Excellency Mr. Philippe Welti, attending as the chief guest. The culmination included the conduction of the final round of the quizz, poetry recitations, presentations of skits, dances, posters etc. based on the theme of friendship between both countries.

Swiss workshop at Worlddidac 2009

A Swiss workshop was held at the World Didac 2009, on 25.09.09., which saw informative and interesting presentations being made by the Ambassador of Switzerland His Excellency Mr. Philippe Welti, and Mr. Chandra Bhushan Kumar, on vocational training. The workshop saw an extensive and diverse audience, from the world of education, attending and interacting enthusiastically, after the workshop.

Visit of Swiss educationist to India

Ms. Sandra Hutterli, Swiss educationist, visited India from 05. - 09.10.09. Ms. Hutterli conducted workshops for language and subject teachers, and also for students and counsellors, in Delhi, Chennai and Bangalore.

Intermezzo and Webgyor 2009

Intermezzo 2009 was a unique fashion show, which was conducted by the students of Pearl Academy of Fashion, incorporating all the four elements of India, Switzerland, science and education. Webgyor, which was also based on all the four key elements, comprised of web-based prototyes. Both projects were held on 24.10.09. at the Embassy of Switzerland.

Workshop on 'Green Buildings'

A workshop on 'Green Buildings' was organized by the Embassy of Switzerland New Delhi and TERI at Air Force Bal Bharati Public School, Lodhi Road, from 10. - 12.11.09. This workshop saw students and teachers from app. 30 schools attend. Topics such as water management and environmental awareness were also covered, apart from 'Green Buildings', with case studies from both Switzerland and India being discussed.

Visit of Prof. Rolf Jeltsch to India

Prof. Rolf Jeltsch, Swiss mathematician, visited India from 22.11. - 03.12.09. Prof. Jeltsch held lectures in Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, Guwahati and Delhi on various topics, in the field of Mathematics, for students and faculty.

Inauguration of a solar flower clock

A solar flower clock was inaugurated at the Embassy of Switzerland New Delhi on 03.12.09. by H.E. Philippe Welti, Ambassador of Switzerland to India. The clock has been designed by HEIG-VD or the Swiss University of Applied Sciences, Western Switzerland.

WORKSHOPS WITH KENDRIYA VIDYALAYAS

Interactive workshops on green buildings, health and nutrition, Indo-Swiss bi-laterlal relations were held at ten Kendriya Vidyalayas, across Delhi, in the month of April, covering app. 600 students and teachers. The response received was overhelming, as the staff and students were were highly motivated and enthusiastic. The students will be presenting their final presentations, based on the workshops, in July, at the Embassy.

Abhishek Hazra....

"I have always associated Switzerland with high modernist design - particularly typography and architecture. I admit that for a visual artist, it....[+]

How do I partici....

You, as a visitor of this web-site, can also be a part of the theme this year, which is Science and Education. Seize the opportunity and be a part of ....[+]