An instrument for institutionalizing the synergy between the ministries of HRD and Science & Technology is therefore proposed through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This MoU was signed by Smt. Vibha Puri Das, Secretary, Department of Higher Education and Dr. T. Ramasamy, Secretary, Department of Science & Technology, in the presence of Shri Kapil Sibal, Union Minister for Human Resource Development, Communications and Information Technology, Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, here today. The salient features of the MoU are as follows:

• Secretary (HE) to be invited into the National Science and Engineering Research Board (NSERC), the Bill for which has been passed by Parliament.

• A Council for Grand Alliance Initiative would be established under the Chairmanship of Union HRD Minister with Minister of S&T as Co-chair with all Secretaries of the two Ministries as members and Secretary (Telecommunications) as a permanent invitee. The Council would meet at least once in 3 months.

• An Executive Council (EC) will be constituted for overseeing the Alliance Initiatives. The EC would be a Committee of Secretaries of MHRD, MST and MoT with Secretary (HE) as Chair. This Council will meet at lease once in a month to review the progress of various activities.

• An “Office of Alliance for Research in Science” will be established as a physical unit in the MST. It will be staffed and governed jointly by the MHRD and MST. This office would constitute various Advisory Committees and commission studies for identifying new areas of cooperation and collaboration. This office will serve as the back office for the two Ministries and serve as the coordinating arm.