India eyes 30 countries for education pact

Days after rolling out a 'Study in India' programme to attract foreign students, India is keen on inking a pact with as many as 30 countries in Asia, Africa, West Asia and Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) for mutual recognition of academic programmes and degrees.

To set the move in motion, the HRD ministry has forwarded a proposal in this regard to the ministry of external affairs, requesting the latter to reach out to 30 countries for signing a pact on mutual recognition of academic qualifications.

Thirty countries with which India is willing to sign a pact for mutual recognition of academic qualifications include Nigeria, Sudan, Tanzania, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Thailand, Malaysia, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Vietnam, China, Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Yemen, Kuwait, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Oman.

"The HRD ministry has requested the external affairs ministry to pursue its proposal for mutual recognition of degrees with all 30 countries in Asia, Africa, West Asia and Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS),” official sources told DH.

The ministry's proposal for mutual recognition of academic qualifications, for these countries, is almost similar to the one recently signed between India and France, sources added.

Officials hope that India's proposal for signing a pact with these countries will benefit Indian higher education institutions, as it will increase the intake of students from these countries. It will help Indian higher education institutions increase its visibility at international level.

"The signing of the proposed pact will also benefit students, teachers, researchers of India and the partner countries. The pact would be instrumental in encouraging mobility of students from India to the partner countries. It would seek to promote excellence in higher education through innovative collaborations and research activities,” the official added.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj launched the 'Study in India' programme on April 18, offering foreign students as many as 50,000 seats for admission in various disciplines at country's 160 higher education institutions which includes Indian Institute of Science.

Under the programme, the HRD ministry also offered attractive fee waivers and freeships to foreign students taking admission in Indian higher education institutions this year.

With the rollout of 'Study in India' programme, India seeks to double its market share of global education exports from the current less than 1% to 2%.