British Information Centre opened in Asom

Guwahati, May 17 (UNI) With the number of Indian students leaving for Britain going up five times in a span of five years, both countries are seeking to foster better ties in the field of education.

Britain's Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Kim Howells today laid stress on the need to encourage greater cooperation in the education sector, especially from NE, which accounted for a good number of students going to the UK for higher education.

He was here to attend the inauguration of the British Information Centre, which was formally opened by Asom Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi. British Deputy High Commissioner, Eastern India, Simon Wilson was also present on the occasion.

Underlining that education was the focus area for the Indo-UK partnership and India accounted for the second highest number of overseas students in the UK, only behind China, Dr Howells said, '' The British Prime Minister announced in 2006 a five-year initiative, the UK-India Education and Research Initiative, and has already committed ten million pounds. '' He said the new information centre would help disseminate information about the study prospects in the UK and encourage students from the region to choose that country as a preferred destination.

The Minister also maintained that the Centre would provide valuable information to local entrepreneurs and said, '' In the coming months, the Centre will be equipped to allow businessmen to access large databanks on the UK companies. '' '' The Centre will refer all serious trade queries to Kolkata and ensure that all requests are answered, '' he added.

Mr Gogoi welcomed the initiative of the British Deputy High Commission in setting up the information centre here.

He said, '' We not only want our students to go to the UK but also want the students from the UK to come here. '' UNI