India, Scotland sign four MoUs in field of education

Updated on: Wednesday, October 13, 2010

In a move to strengthen educational links between the two countries, India and Scotland today signed four MoUs in various fields that will also promote student and faculty exchange and encourage joint degree development.

The Memorandum 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.

India, Scotland sign four MoUs in field of education

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