Govt gives nod to signing MOU with British educational institutions

Chandigarh, Apr 13 (UNI) Students from Punjab can soon benefit from an interactive education direct from schools, colleges and universities in United Kingdom, especially those based in Wolverhampton.

The State Government today gave its nod to signing a Memorandum of Understanding with educational institutions with the British Council expressing its willingness to act as a facilitator.

The move follows a meeting between Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and the visiting British Parliamentarian Pat McFadden here this afternoon.

Mr McFadden met Mr Badal in connection with the Woverhampton-India (Punjab) project devoted to promoting cooperation between various agencies, institutions and organizations in Punjab and Wolverhampton.

This cooperation could come in spheres such as education, culture, trade and Commerce. One of the focus areas on which collaboration between the two sides was thought possible was the effect of climate changes on global environment.

Mr McFadden explained that a global portal could be put up for launching collaboration in interactive education. Mr Badal urged Mr McFadden to evolve a programme of exchange to impart quality education in the rural schools of the state that had poor infrastructure and standard of education.

He also impressed upon Mr McFadden to send a delegation of school teachers to discuss the action plan to improve the quality of school education in rural areas both in terms of infrastructure and academic curriculum.

The Chief Minister also underscored the need for promoting the concept of rural sports particularly Kabaddi and cultural activities between the two states to further strengthen the socio-cultural ties. He sought cooperation and support from Mr McFadden to promote the areas of mutual interest through sharing of technology and knowledge.

Mr McFadden assured Mr Badal that he would request the Department for International Development (DFID), that had a grant of 300 million pounds, to launch a scheme for imparting quality education in rural areas of Punjab.

He said that the states of Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, Bihar and West Bengal had already benefited through the developmental initiatives of DFID.

The meeting was also attended, among others, by Higher Education Minister Upenderjit Kaur, Tourism and Culture Minister Hira Singh Gabria, Chief Minister's Media Advisor Harcharan Bains, State Chief Secretary R I Singh and Chief Minister's Principal Secretary D S Guru UNI