India and United Kingdom sign two MOUs to promote development of community colleges and implementation of School Leadership Programme

India and United Kingdom today singed two MOU to promote development of community colleges and implementation of School Leadership Programme. The MOU are signed on behalf of India by Minister of State, HRD Mr. Jitin Prasada and for United Kingdom by Mr. David Willetts, Minister for Universities and Science in New Delhi today. Mr. Willetts is in India as a member of hight level delegation led by Prime Minister of UK Rt. Hon. David Cameron. The two sides also discussed the ways and means to strengthen the education sector. Speaking during the discussion Mr. Jitin Prasada noted the statement of the British Prime Minister on increasing the number of the Indian students getting admission in UK and getting Visa easier. He also suggested that the English proficiency test of the Indian students normally valid for two year should be enhanced to five years or more. The Indian delegation which was later joined by the HRD Minister, Dr. M.M.Pallam Raju. He said that the government focusing on the school education as it considers it critical. Dr. Raju also sought cooperation of the British Government in implementation of RTE. He also highlighted the initiative taken by the govt. in promoting community colleges and explained the areas where the bilateral cooperation can be had. The British side wanted that the Indian govt. should sort out the issue relating to one year master ‘s course granted by the UK Universities Mr. Willetts said if this problem is sorted it will help the Indian students in perusing further courses in there own country. The Indian delegation said the matter is being examine at the various fora. The visiting delegation showed keen interest in teacher’s training and school leadership sectors. 

The leaders had deliberations for strengthening the present programmes of educational cooperation between the two countries and also discussed the new avenues for cooperation. The leaders discussed ways to enhance mobility of students, researchers, faculty and educationists between the two countries. They also appreciated that institutional linkages and leadership development are two areas in which substantial progress has been achieved under the UK-India Education and Research Initiative (UKIERI) since its inception in 2006 and the fact that more than 1025 partnerships had been supported in different areas including over 380 in the second phase of UKIERI from 2011. The two leaders appreciated that UKIERI has provided a vibrant platform for various collaborations in the areas of research and innovation, vocational education and skill development, leadership programmes. It was also noted that two Joint working groups are active for innovations and skill development for devising the future collaborative programmes. Institutional collaborations for thematic partnerships have also been institutionalized under UKIERI. The Ministers also recognized the need for capacity building of English language teachers in new methodologies. The two leaders affirmed their support for a strong partnership in delivering skills to their citizens. The leaders noted the increasing opportunities in the delivery of vocational skills in all sectors the increasing engagement of the UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES) with the Sector Councils in India. The leaders welcomed the partnership between the UK Open University and Government of India, supported by British Council and UKAID, to provide training to teachers using web-based and other innovative technology. The leaders welcomed the UK-India partnership to support secondary education through the Government of India’s Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) to universalise access to secondary education with emphasis on quality and equity. 

Mr. Prasada and Mr. Willetts expressed satisfaction on the ongoing collaborative programmes and assured of their strong support to various programmes being devised by the Government, institutions as well as the industry leaders from both the countries to bring in further momentum to the educational relations between India and UK.