New Delhi: In a move to strengthen
educational links between the two countries, India and
Scotland on Tuesday signed four MoUs in various fields that will
also promote student and faculty exchange and encourage joint
degree development.
The Memoranda of Understanding were signed by directors
of institutes from the two countries in the presence of Human
Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal and Scotland`s First
Minister Alex Salmond here.
Terming the signing of the MoUs as "truly historic",
Sibal said the agreements will open up further opportunities
for institutes of both countries and help them find solutions
for problems like global warming.
He said there was a need to set up a regulatory authority
soon to encourage manufacture of standard medical equipments
in the country. Sibal said that a legislation was already
under process and hoped that it will passed soon.
"We intend to empower our students by providing access to
the finest university education the world has on offer. And in
Scotland, with its higher learning tradition that goes back to
the Renaissance, we have found a worthy partner," Sibal said.
The HRD Minister asked institutes from Scotland to see
whether cooperation can be forged with institutes in India for
providing vocational education.
The vocational courses will sharpen skills which will
help in the growth and development of the nation, he said.
University of Abertay Dundee and Indian Institute of
Information Technology (IIIT) in Allahabad signed an MoU to
promote joint research and student exchange programmes, while
Delhi University and University of Edinburgh signed an
agreement to promote joint research and student exchange.
Salmond said Scotland is renowned for its world class
education system and that India is one of our key countries of
interest for educational collaboration. Over 4,000 students
from India already study at Scottish colleges and
universities.
"These new partnerships will benefit both Scotland and
India, enhancing research and development opportunities,
promoting student exchange and paving the way for further
cooperation in the future," he said.
Salmond said the country has global strengths in key
industries such as life sciences, energy, financial and
business services, the digital gaming industry and information
technology and is keen to learn from the dynamic growth in
Indian Universities.
The agreements were build upon an overarching MoU signed
in 2009 between the Association of India Universities and
Universities Scotland.
Another partnership agreement was signed between Glasgow
Caledonian University and Sitaram Bhartia Institute of Science
and Research in New Delhi to deliver programmes which could
see thousands of people in India being spared unnecessary
amputation due to diabetes.
To promote and facilitate development of skill standards
and accreditation systems, National Accreditation Board for
Education and Training also signed an MoU with Scottish
Qualifications Authority.
Sibal said the purpose behind the exercise is to
recognise the scope between the two bodies to build on their
strengths and current achievements by working in partnership
for mutual benefit.
Some of the areas of collaboration as per the MoU between
the two organisations would be exploring partnership
opportunities in accrediting qualifications, accrediting
schools, approving awarding bodies, auditing awarding bodies
and approving and monitoring the approved centres of learning.
PTI
