It owes its existence to an unusual alliance between an internationally renowned ophthalmologist, who specialized in cornea disease, and a famous film producer, who found fame and fortune in the "dream world" of Bollywood.

"India’s too big to be straight-jacketed into a single framework for science and technology," says Prithviraj Chavan, India's Minister of Science & Technology and Earth Sciences.

TWAS has announced the winners of the TWAS Prizes for 2010 at the Academy's 21st General Meeting in Hyderabad, India. Each TWAS Prize carries a cash award of USD15,000. The winners will be asked to lecture about their research at TWAS's 22nd General Meeting in 2011, where they will also receive a medal and the prize money.

TWAS has announced the election of 58 new members, including 11 women. The election took place at the Academy's 21st General Meeting in Hyderabad, India, on Tuesday, 19 October 2010. The current membership now stands at 1,000

The Council of TWAS has awarded 'TWAS Medal Lectures' to three TWAS members in recognition of their achievements in their fields of research. The scientists honoured will lecture on a main aspect of their work at the next TWAS General Meeting.

The prize, which includes a USD100,000 cash award, is given to eminent scientists from the developing world who have made significant contributions to science and science-based development.

"Science is a key driver that guides global discourse," says Manmohan Singh, the Prime Minister of India.

"Women in academia in Turkey are not suffering," says Cigdem Kagitcibasi, a professor in the College of Arts and Sciences at Koc University.

The prizes, which are awarded by TWAS's five regional offices, carry a USD3,000 cash award. They are given to individuals who have made outstanding contributions to improving public understanding and appreciation of science.

The driest place on Earth is playing a major role in determining whether life has ever existed on Mars.