Pact with Japan on joint research

To enhance co-operation in agricultural and pharmacological industries, the Science and Technology (S&T) Ministry and Japan’s Riken signed a pact on joint research here on Saturday. Under the pact, Japan’s largest research organisation and the Ministry will launch joint research programmes in biology, life sciences, and material sciences. Speaking on the occasion, Japanese ambassador Takeshi Yagi said mutual co-operation between the two nations in these fields needed further strengthening. The research programme will also focus on supporting the exchange of researchers, post-doctoral fellows and doctoral students, a Ministry press release said.