The DFG Participates in Scientific and Technological Cooperation (WTZ) Proceedings in Argentina

(23.03.16) On 9th March delegates from institutions in Germany and Argentina gathered for the fifth meeting within the framework of the Scientific and Technological Cooperation (WTZ) initiative between Argentina and Germany. The meeting took place in Argentina’s Ministry of Science, Technology and Productive Innovation (MINCyt) and was organised in collaboration with the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). The event was chaired by Dr. Miguel Ángel Blesa, Secretary of Planning and Politics in Science, Technology and Productive Innovation, and Thomas Rachel, Parliamentary State Secretary at the BMBF.

Fifth meeting within the framework of the Scientific and Technological Cooperation (WTZ) initiative between Argentina and Germany

Fifth meeting within the framework of the Scientific and Technological Cooperation (WTZ) initiative between Argentina and Germany

The audience were shown some examples of scientific collaboration between the two countries, in particular in strategic areas such as the environment, geology, geodesy, marine research and astrophysics. They were also informed about bilateral collaboration in the fields of biomedicine and the bioeconomy and about the BMBF’s call to establish a research centre for social sciences in Latin America. Some of the researchers involved in projects with partners in Argentina or Germany were offered the opportunity to present the current status of their work. This event also provided an occasion at which to make suggestions on how to improve and further develop the collaboration between Argentina and Germany.

Dr. Kathrin Winkler, Director of the DFG Office Latin America in São Paulo

Dr. Kathrin Winkler, Director of the DFG Office Latin America in São Paulo

Dr. Kathrin Winkler, Director of the DFG Office Latin America in São Paulo, represented the DFG. Her talk included a presentation of the statistical data on funding research projects with Argentina. These figures showed an increasing trend towards joint funding of scientific collaboration by the DFG and Argentinian funding institutions. Worth particular mention here is the first International Research Training Group in Argentina entitled: “SuRfAce Processes, Tectonics and Georesources: The Andean Foreland Basin of Argentina”, better known as the abbreviation StRATEGy, and the joint call for bilateral research projects by the DFG, MINCyt and Argentina’s National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET) which is expected to be published by the middle of this year.

The interest in furthering the collaboration between the two countries was clear to see in every presentation and was confirmed by the presence of important figures from the Embassy of Germany in Buenos Aires who indicated their support for the presented initiatives.