UPA to promote PPP for funding in research:PM

Kolkata, Jul 11 (UNI) Committed to reconstruction of University system, the UPA government will promote Public-Private-Partnerships (PPP) for adequate funding in scientific and technological research, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today said.

''We are committed to rebuilding science-based universities. This will include creating synergy between new initiatives in science and technology and our university system. We will promote Public-Private- Partnerships to increase funding for frontier areas of scientific and technological research,'' he said while unveiling the foundation for Indian Institute of Science Education and Research here.

Expressing concern that the country's best minds were not taking to science, Dr Singh said, ''The government is committed both to excellence and widening access to education, especially higher education and research.'' He said reconstruction of the country's university system must be a top priority and the issue would have to be addressed comprehensively and not in a peacemeal fashion.

''We cannot have pretension about being a leading knowledge power if we do not substantially upgrade our scientific and technological expertise both in quality and quantity...We cannot be satisfied with what we are doing in the field of education in science and technology,'' he remarked.

Observing that the condition of Indian universities had been deteriorating over the past two decades the prime minister said the government had an obligation to invest in education at all levels.

''We also need to recognise the contribution of the private sector in the expansion of our education system and must evolve a co-operating partnership for harnesssing all possible resources,'' he said.

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