India and the US will further expand co-operation in knowledge sector. This was announced by the HRD Minister Dr. Pallam Raju during a round table discussion on Advances in US-India Academic Partnership in Washington. Dr. Raju who is leading an Indian delegation said that eight more awards have been finalized under the Singh-Obama Knowledge Initiative and it will be jointly announced during the forthcoming Indo-US strategic dialogue in New Delhi next month. Eight such awards were announced last year. He said there is a proposal to place young Indian faculty in best of US institutions to enhance their capabilities. Under this plan 126 post doctorals have been selected.
The Minister sought US co-operation in promoting skill building in India through community colleges. Touching upon the possibilities of a wide ranging co-operation in education sector between the two countries, the Minister said that co-operation should be supportive in the field of ICT, digital world, promoting quality research and innovation and boosting vocational education system. 20 billion dollars of additional resources will be pumped in the state system to ensure access and excellence in tertiary education through National Higher Education Mission (RUSA in vernacular). Seeking institution level collaborations in promoting vocational education system in India, Dr. Pallam Raju said that the Ministry has approved and notified the National Vocational Education Qualifications Framework (NVEQF).
The round table organised by the International Institute of Education at Washington discussed issues such as collaboration in the field of Community Colleges and promoting massive online courses and Technology Enabled Education. It also discussed students mobility, particularly encouraging US students to visit India.
The round table was attended among others by the US under Secretary of State Ms. Tara Sonenshine, senior academicians, industry partners and community college principals. Indian Ambassador to the US Ms. Nirupama Rao also addressed the conference.
Later Dr Raju also met US Secretary of Education Mr. Arne Duncan and discussed issued relating to improvement of school education, teacher educators, assessment of schools and community participation in school education.
