Why Germany is a perfect fit for the scientifically inclined

India is a country with a vibrant educational and scientific community. A community that is globally engaged. Pick any top scientific institution around the world—and you will surely find Indians among the top researchers. No other Indian city embodies the scientific spirit of curiosity, of critical thinking, and of open-minded discussion better than Bengaluru.

Bengaluru is a perfect match for Germany—a country that is rich in ideas and in entrepreneurial drive. The city’s scientific institutions attract talent from all across the country and beyond. That is why some of Germany’s leading global companies, like SAP, Bosch, Mercedes-Benz, and others, have made Bengaluru an indispensable cornerstone of their research and development. Many of their technological success stories today are not just “Made in Germany” but also “Made in Bengaluru”. More than 200 German companies now form an integral part of Bengaluru’s vibrant tech ecosystem.

As much as Bengaluru is our gateway to South India’s amazing technology and innovation capital, I believe that Germany’s unique science ecosystem can be your gateway to scientific breakthroughs and a remarkable international career. So what makes our science ecosystem so unique?

Germany’s economic success was built on a tradition of science and education with compulsory education and modern universities as early as the 19th century. The Max-Planck-Society, which today boasts 84 institutes and research facilities, was founded in 1911. It ranks among the world’s top institutions with the highest number of Nobel Prizes in natural sciences. It also supports its researchers in bringing their innovation to the market. Similarly, the Fraunhofer Society, which has its India office in Bengaluru, promotes research that is geared to the specific needs of
the industry.

The secret of their impressive success is their international outlook and integration in a global science community. Be it Max-Planck, Fraunhofer, the Humboldt Foundation, Helmholtz-Institutes, the DFG, or the DAAD, our world-famous scientific organisations operate on that exact principle: bringing together the smartest people around the globe and offering them great opportunities and facilities for researchers. Germany already hosts 75,000 international researchers—second only to the 86,000 in the United States. The largest number among Germany’s international researchers—almost 7,000—are from India. This number is set to grow even further.

Today, one factor is crucial in creating a conducive environment for world-class research—and that is freedom. Scientific excellence only happens where the world’s brightest minds can come together without feeling restrained. Fair and transparent State policies towards migration and mobility are an important pillar of that. Germany today has one of the most welcoming migration policies in the world. Young Indians can not only pursue their studies and research in Germany, but they can also build an entire career. That is not just theory. One of the most successful German pharmaceutical companies in recent years is BioNTech. Founded by scientists of Turkish origin, it developed mRNA technology for vaccinations against Covid-19 and is now valued at almost $30 billion. And who knows—the next success story in Germany could be Indian!

Germany’s private research ecosystem is equally impressive and powerful—once again thanks to its international connections and large interdisciplinary teams. German companies have developed a unique formula of working closely together with university-based research, allowing academic research to quickly hit the markets. And they have built impressive in-house research facilities.

The R&D budgets of some German technology companies are bigger than the entire research budgets of many countries—and many of these companies rank among the world’s top 100 global innovation leaders. Through the Indo-German Science and Technology Centre’s (IGSTC) industrial fellowships, we witness growing interest from Indian researchers in this industry formula. Firsthand experience with the private ecosystem can provide some eye-opening insights for Indians who want to become part of the growing number of success stories of innovative Indian companies.

German gottila—you might say—don’t I have to learn German to do research in Germany? English is the language of science, and Germany is no exception to this. The research teams of many German organisations work in English. Eventually, if you want to settle in Germany, you might want to learn German. But if you can crack India’s most difficult exams, such as the JEE, then learning German can hardly scare you.

You will find that life in Germany offers you many benefits that you are used to from Bengaluru. A mild climate, beautiful nature, bustling cities, excellent beer, and great opportunities for recreation. And one last thing—if you want to work and live in Germany, you do not have to worry about your social media accounts. We care about what’s in your brains and not what’s on your phones. Indians can build on their excellent reputation in research and business alike, and I want to invite more of you to come to Germany to build your careers.

(The writer is Germany’s Ambassador to India)