| ||||
|
INDIAN NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR CO-OPERATION WITH UNESCO |
 |
|
|
|
Unesco in the World |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unesco Fellowships/ Awards |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
List of grant released under Scheme of Strengthening of Voluntary Organisations |
|
|
 | |
| Home | |
|
|
| University & Higher Education | |
|
|
| Technical Education | |
|
|
| Languages | |
|
|
| Book Promotion | |
|
|
| Copyright | |
|
|
| Scholarships/Education Loan to Students | |
 |
|
| Distance Learning | |
|
|
|
| Education of SCs/STs and Minrities | |
|
|
|
| Publications | |
|
|
|
|
INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION |
||
|
Overview
Since Independence, India’s cooperation with foreign countries in education sector used to be part of the Cultural Agreements. India has cultural agreements with 118 countries. About 75 Cultural Exchange Programmes (CEP) were signed and most of them are periodically being renewed. Education component formed part of most of the CEPs. Department of Culture, the nodal Ministry for CEPs was also part of Ministry of HRD till recently.
The Ministry earlier had an External Academic Relations Unit in the UNESCO Division to handle bilateral relations. With the expansion of education sector and internationalization of education, an International Cooperation Cell has been set up in the Ministry of HRD. The IC Cell coordinates the work relating to bilateral and international collaboration in the Education sector and the formulation, implementation and monitoring of Educational Exchange Programmes (EEPs/MOUs) with various countries with a view to giving more focused attention to such collaboration.
A separate budget provision is made for international academic exchange activities of the Ministry. Initially, the Plan Scheme “Strengthening of External Academic Relations” was intended to facilitate exchange of Ministerial level delegations with foreign countries for furthering bilateral relations in education. However, the scope of the scheme has expanded considerably in recent years with several new initiatives in bilateral cooperation. (major events).
Educational Exchange Programmes
Since 2002, the Ministry has entered into exclusive Educational Exchange Programmes (in some cases called MOUs) with 32 countries (list of EEPs/ MOUs). These include Mongolia, Armenia, Tanzania, Guyana, Israel, Australia, Myanmar, Hungary, Syria, Uzbekistan, New Zealand, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Mexico, Brazil, Afghanistan, Croatia, Ecuador, Rwanda, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, China, Portugal, France, Ethiopia, Vietnam, Oman, Norway and Chile signed earlier. EEPs/MOUs with Kuwait, Botswana and Malaysia were signed during 2009-10. In addition MOUs for mutual recognition and equivalence of degrees, diplomas and other educational qualifications with many countries are also under consideration.
The EEPs/MOUs provide for forming a Joint Working Group (JWG) to monitor the implementation of the programmes. The JWGs are co-chaired by representatives of the concerned Ministries in both countries and include representatives of organizations/ institutions in relevant areas. The JWGs meet annually in either country to review the progress of implementation of the exchange programmes. During 2009-10, the following JWG meetings were held:
a) 1st India-Oman JWG in Oman on March 29-30, 2009 b) 1st India-Norway JWG in Norway on August 12-14, 2009 c) 1st India-Czech Republic JWG in New Delhi on December 7-10, 2009 d) Sub-working groups of JWG between India and Australia on October 7, 2009.
The substance, scope and implementation of activities or cooperation within the terms of the EEP/MOU are determined by specific arrangements concluded between institutions in the two countries. The Universities and other higher education institutions in the country have autonomy to have collaborative arrangements with their counterparts in various countries. The Ministry facilitates such arrangements made on the basis of the provisions of EEP/MOU. The EEPs/ MOUs envisage cooperation through several initiatives like:-
In addition to the
meetings of JWGs, exchange of high level delegations are also
facilitated. Specific sectoral agreements, where necessary, are
being signed by Indian apex bodies/Universities with their
foreign counterparts. Other forms of international cooperation
Apart from the EEPs/MOUs,
the Ministry also takes an active role in Joint Commission
Meetings (JCM) and other economic/technical forums for
cooperation with other countries. In addition, the Ministry has
been making efforts for strengthening cooperation with foreign
countries through other mechanisms too. As part of this, a
trilateral MoU between India, Brazil and South Africa (IBSA) is
in place since 2007 for cooperation in the field of higher
education. Another MoU was signed on 21st January 2008 between
Ministry of Human Resource Development and British High
Commission for operation of the India-UK Higher Education
Leadership Development Programme. Further, a Joint Statement
between India and UK for strengthening cooperation and exchange
in education was issued on 26th September 2008. A Joint
Declaration was signed on 12th November, 2008 on cooperation in
the field of Education between India & European Union. This was
followed by signing of another Joint Declaration on
multilingualism between India & European Union on 7th March,
2009. A Joint Declaration between India and Czech Republic for
cooperation in education sector was signed on 28th April 2009. |
||
|
|
