US varsities expressing interest on innovation universities'- Sibal

Updated on: Friday, October 01, 2010

HRD Minister Kapil Sibal today said some of the US universities have expressed keen interest about the proposed innovation universities that are coming up in India while a few have extended academic and financial support for vocational education in the country.

He said two community colleges of USA, where he paid a visit during his week-long stay in US, have decided to help India in developing curriculum for vocational education. One of the community colleges is the Foothill College.

"Wadhwani Foundation in the West Coast of US is also willing to invest USD 20 million in vocational education in the country," he told reporters here.

He said the Government also intends to provide vocational training in engineering colleges.

Sibal said HRD Ministry's move to develop a computer at USD 30 for the student community has been positively received in the US and several institutions and individuals have extended support to the venture.

He said the proposed innovation universities was widely admired when he visit to the University of California, Barkley and Columbia University.

"They are excited about our innovation university and are awaiting the passage of the Foreign Universities Bill," he said.

Virginia Tech, he said, has decided to open three centres of excellence in Chennai dedicated to carrying out high-end research activities and producing sector-specific talents.

The three centres of excellence -- the Centre for Critical, Technical and Advanced Science, the Virginia Bio Informatics Centre and the Virginia Transport and Technical Institute -- would be set up with an Indian partner in Chennai, he said.

Asked about the fate of a bill on checking malpractice in educational institutes as it has been deferred for consideration by Parliamentary Standing Committee, he expressed hope that the differences will be resolved.

He indicated that he would be meeting the committee soon in this respect.

Sibal had received a setback last week when the Parliamentary panel had deferred considering the Prohibition of Unfair Practices in Technical, Medical Educational Institutions and Universities Bill, taking the view that Government was not yet clear whether it has accepted its recommendations for amendments in the Education Tribunal Bill.

Both the bills in question are linked to each other.

US varsities expressing interest on innovation universities'- Sibal

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