British Columbia to help Punjab in upgrading school education

Chandigarh, Dec 3 (UNI) British Columbia has offered its services to upgrade technical skills and knowledge through exchange programmes in the spheres of primary and secondary education, tele-medicine, bio-technology, nano-technology and information technology in Punjab.

British Columbia Premier Gordon Campbell made this offer during the banquet speech at a dinner hosted by Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal in honour of visiting British Columbian delegation here last night.

The delegation comprised eminent experts, scientists and teachers from various disciplines.

Taking part in the deliberations, Mr Badal informed the delegation that Punjabis shared a special bonding with British Columbia_one of the most prosperous and advanced provinces in Canada. Punjabis had a strong presence there and it was a matter of great satisfaction to observe that they had always contributed immensely towards the economic prosperity of the land of their adoption, he said.

The Chief Minister said that like British Columbia under the leadership of Mr Campbell, the Punjab government had also laid emphasis on employment generation, infrastructure development, education and health services.

Mr Badal solicited cooperation and support from Mr Campbell for strengthening the education network, health care, information technology and exchange of scientific know-how.

He suggested to start an exchange programme for teachers and students between two provinces, as the Punjab government was committed to improve the standards of rural students in science, mathematics and the English language.

"In this regard, I look forward to secure the services of teachers from your province and country in upgrading the teaching skills of our teachers", Mr Badal said.

"We can jointly work on some programme of short term training to our teachers by the teachers from British Columbia ", he added.

As a follow up to the visiting Premier's offer, Mr Don Avison, President Council of Universities British Columbia, held an hour long meeting with Chief Minister's Media Advisor Harcharan Bains to discuss the details and scope of mutual cooperation between the governments of British Columbia and Punjab.

Mr Bains also held a meeting with Ms Santra Schernl, an eminent educationist accompanying the visiting Premier, regarding the upgradation of education, especially pre and post secondary education for learners.

The delegation comprised Chief of Staff Lara Dauphinee, Attorney General AG Wally Oppal, Minister of State Dave Mayer, Deputy Minister (Economic Development) Don Fast, Deputy Minister (Advanced Education) Laslie Wada, Senior Policy Advisor (Advance Education) Tegan Tang, Director (Asia Pacific Unit) Leonel Roldan-Flores and Coordinator Maneesh Nanda.

UNI