Ambassador Frydenlund (second from left) receiving a demonstration of technical equipment at the National Institute of Ocean Technology.

Norway to strengthen Indo-Norwegian cooperation in higher education and research in Tamil Nadu

Norwegian Ambassador Hans Jacob Frydenlund visited Chennai in a bid to explore opportunities for Indo-Norwegian cooperation in research and higher education. The Tamil Nadu capital, already a hub for Norwegian research projects and companies, is in focus for further activities as part of Norway’s increasing cooperation with India.

Tamil Nadu remains an attractive destination for Norwegian investment and cooperation. Norwegian companies like Laerdal Medical, Wallenius Wilhelmsen Solutions and WindSim have already set up operations in the state. Due to the growing presence of research and cooperation in the region, Norway is looking to make Chennai and Tamil Nadu a springboard for Indo-Norwegian solutions to global challenges.

From left: Governor Purohit, Ambassador Frydenlund, Mrs. Frydenlund and Norwegian Honorary Consul Arvind Gopinath

In addition to meeting Governor Purohit and Chief Minister Palaniswami, Ambassador Frydenlund visited the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA), the National Institute for Ocean Technology (NIOT), and the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation to discuss ongoing Norwegian cooperation projects within biodiversity, polar sciences and climate resilience.

From right: Chief Minister Palaniswami, Ambassador Frydenlund, Mrs. Frydenlund, Norwegian Honorary Consul Arvind Gopinath and Science and Technology Counsellor Dr. Maan Singh Sidhu

The Ambassador also toured the campus of IIT Madras to learn about the institute’s ongoing research in health care, mobility manufacturing and energy efficiency. During a visit at the National Institute for Wind Energy, the Ambassador discussed how Norwegian expertise in offshore wind development could help India achieve its ambitious goal to generate 175 GW of clean energy by 2022.