Vaishwik Bhartiya Vaigyanik (VAIBHAV) Summit

VAIBHAV Summit is the acronym of Vaishwik Bhartiya Vaigyanik Summit which is launched recently hence forms an important part of the current affairs and general awareness section of various competitive exams. 

Aspirants will get in-depth information about VAIBHAV summit in this article which will prove beneficial in their exam preparation.

Candidates who are preparing for different Government exams can go through the linked page for relevant details on upcoming examinations.

VAIBHAV Summit – Why in News?

Vaishwik Bhartiya Vaigyanik (VAIBHAV) Summit was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 2nd 2020 – the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.

About VAIBHAV Summit

• The VAIBHAV Summit is a global virtual summit of overseas and resident Indian Scientists, Researchers and Academicians.
• It was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The summit was organized from 2nd October to 31st October 2020. 
• The initiative involves multiple levels of interactions among overseas experts and Indian counterparts over a month-long series of webinars, video-conferences, etc.
• VAIBHAV Summit is a joint effort of various Science & Technology (S&T) and Academic organizations, including the Department of S&T, DRDO. Know about the Defence Research and Development Organisation on the link provided here.
• The aim of the summit is to bring Indian origin luminaries in academic institutes and R&D organizations across the world and resident counterparts on a single platform to debate upon collaboration mechanisms to strengthen academic and S&T base in India for global development. You can check out the World Development Report for relevant details on India’s ranking on the given page. 
• Key areas of discussion in the VAIBHAV summit comprised quantum technologies, artificial intelligence and machine learning, communications technologies, computational and data sciences, aerospace technologies, etc.
• The ‘Vaibhav Summit’ is planned with the Indian Diaspora working in the World’s top universities and R&D organisations to strengthen the factors enabling the outcome-driven research and education which will help create an ideal ecosystem.

VAIBHAV Summit – Important Dates

Objectives of VAIBHAV Summit

1. Re-establishing the Vedic concept of Vishwavidyalaya as a global university
2. Enhance domestic institutional R&D capacities by amalgamating global knowledge and expertise of Non-Resident Indians
3. To evolve institutional mechanisms for creating a synergy between Indian academicians and foreign academicians of Indian descent
4. Identify the niche areas of blue-sky research for economically viable concerted outcomes to leapfrog India as a global research destination
5. To create an ecosystem of Knowledge and Innovation in the country through global outreach.
6. Bring together varied experiences and proficiency of diverse academic cultures to push forward the research outcomes. Leveraging the experience, expertise and knowledge of global Indian researchers overseas for solving emerging challenges.
7. To strengthen the “Atma Nirbhar Bharat” initiative for High-End Research in Science and Technology, promulgated by the Prime Minister. Know in detail about the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan on the linked page.

Significance of Vaishwik Bhartiya Vaigyanik Summit

• VAIBHAV Summit 2020 celebrates Science and Innovation from India and the World.
• Over 3000 Academicians & Scientists of Indian Origin and over 10,000 Indian Scientists participated in the Summit.
• VAIBHAV will boost the innovation ecosystem in India by adding new dimensions to the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM). AIM is a flagship initiative by the Indian government to promote the culture of innovation and entrepreneurship across the nation.

Candidates can refer to the links given below to know the ins and outs of Atal Innovation Mission.

• The summit will reflect on the collaboration and cooperation instruments with academia and scientists in India and abroad.
• The summit seeks active support and ideation from Indian Diaspora for developing skills of Indian aspirants in alignment with the New Educational Policy which paves the way for transformational reforms in school and higher education systems in the country. 

Vaibhav Summit Related Concerns

• Rankings of institutions – No Indian Institution ranking in the top 100 colleges can create a challenge in attracting more foreign engagement.
• Continuous engagement – Arranging a structured platform for continuous engagement of all the stakeholders and converting the knowledge back to wealth is a big challenge.
• Absence of schemes or scholarships – for sending Indian scholars and scientists to foreign institutions for further studies and researches.

Check out the links for relevant details on –

1. National Education Policy
2. Indian Overseas Diaspora

• With Indian roots, global outlook and experience, accomplished scientists, researchers and academicians of Indian descent around the world can play a vital part in the “Atma Nirbhar Bharat” initiative which is based on 5 pillars that are Economy, Infrastructure, System, Vibrant Demography and Demand. Know more on Atma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan on the linked page. 
• Eighteen verticals have been identified to have engagement in the VAIBHAV Summit. Such as Agriculture, Health, Energy and Transportation.

Aspirants preparing for various government exams can follow the links given below for assistance in their preparation.

• Government Exam Mock Tests Series
• Government Exam Previous Year Question Papers with Solution PDFs.

Other Related Government Initiatives

The Government of India has launched various programmes or initiatives that like VAIBHAV Summit involves overseas Indians. Also, there are programmes to attract scientists across the globe to work with researchers in india. A few such initiatives are discussed below-

1. VAJRA Scheme – VAJRA stands for (Visiting Advanced Joint Research). VAJRA Faculty scheme is a dedicated program of the Department of S&T for overseas scientists and academicians to work as adjunct/visiting faculty for a specific period of time in Indian public funded academic and research institutions. Its scheme exclusively focuses on Non-resident Indians (NRI) and Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) and Overseas Citizen of India (OCI). The Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), a statutory body of the Department of S&T is the implementing agency for the VAJRA Scheme.
2. Know India Program (KIP) – This is a flagship initiative of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) for diaspora engagement. It aims to familiarize Indian-origin youth between the age group 18 years to 30 years with their Indian roots and contemporary India.
3. SPARC – It stands for Scheme for Promotion of Academic and Research Collaboration. The Ministry of Human Resource Development has launched a web portal for this scheme. It aims to improve the research ecosystem of India’s higher educational institutions by facilitating academic and research collaborations between Indian institutions and institutions from the world.
4. GIAN – Global Initiative for Academics Network seeks to invite distinguished academicians, entrepreneurs, scientists, experts from premier institutions from across the world, to teach in the higher educational institutions in India. GAIN aims at tapping the talent pool of scientists and entrepreneurs to engage with the institutes of higher education in India to augment the country’s existing academic resources, accelerate the pace of quality reforms, and further strengthen India’s scientific and technological capabilities.
5. Pravasi Bhartiya Divas – PBD is celebrated every year on 9th January to mark the contribution of the Overseas Indian community in the development of India. Know more on Pravasi Bhartiya Divas on the linked page.

Aspirants can know about more such Government Schemes on the linked page.

Other Related Links – 

Way Forward with Vaibhav Summit

• Academic community will be benefitted, the collaborations through the summit can be a really good way of changing the international perception of our educational institutions.
• Launching programs for Indian scientists and researchers to go to international institutions. Shifting towards more innovative ideas, as innovation will lead to economic growth.

The information on VAIBHAV Summit is important for UPSC aspirants because questions on Vaishwik Bhartiya Vaigyanik Summit can be asked in UPSC Prelims as well as in UPSC Mains GS II. Aspirants preparing for the UPSC exam can check the links given below –

1. IAS 2021
2. UPSC Calendar 2021

You can also check out the preparation strategies for competitive exams to fine-tune your exam prep.