Embassy of India to Austria Launches Inaugural WISSEN Awards
Embassy of India honoured women researchers advancing India–Austria scientific cooperation
April 03rd, 2026
The Embassy of India in Vienna launched the inaugural WISSEN Awards (Women in Scientific Studies to Empower Nations) to honour women researchers whose work has contributed to India–Austria and India–multilateral research partnerships. The initiative was introduced as part of the Embassy’s efforts to celebrate the role of women in science and to recognise their contribution to advancing international academic and scientific cooperation. The launch of the awards also formed part of the Embassy’s broader public outreach and engagement in the field of science and research.
The WISSEN Awards were established to highlight excellence in research, innovation, and academic leadership. In doing so, they seek to recognise distinguished contributions made by women scientists and researchers while also encouraging greater visibility for their work. The awards further aim to inspire emerging scientists and researchers and to reinforce the importance of knowledge exchange and collaboration between institutions and individuals in India and Austria. Through this initiative, the Embassy underscored the value of sustained scientific engagement and the role of women in strengthening international research partnerships.
The awards were presented as part of the ongoing International Women’s Day celebrations and during “India Science Day” at TU Wien. On this occasion, Ambassador Shambhu Kumaran and TU Wien Vice-Rector Mr. Peter Ertl jointly presented the inaugural honours to three leading scientists and researchers in Austria. The event brought together the themes of scientific excellence, international cooperation, and recognition of women’s achievements in research, in the context of an institutional and academic setting that reflected the close and growing ties between India and Austria in the scientific domain.
The inaugural recipients of the WISSEN Awards were Dr. Najat Mokhtar, Deputy Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); Dr. Susanne Feiel, Director of International Relations at Montanuniversität Leoben; and Ms. Pallavi Deolal, Cell Biologist at the Max Perutz Lab, Vienna. According to the Embassy, their work has significantly strengthened scientific partnerships between India and the IAEA, as well as between India and Austria. Their recognition through the WISSEN Awards reflects the Embassy’s appreciation of their contributions to research cooperation and international scientific engagement.
The launch of the inaugural WISSEN Awards by the Embassy of India in Vienna highlights the importance attached to recognising excellence among women in science and to promoting stronger research linkages between India, Austria, and multilateral institutions. By honouring these distinguished researchers, the Embassy reaffirmed its support for scientific collaboration, academic leadership, and the continued development of partnerships in research and innovation.
