India For UK Expertise In Creating World Class Campuses

New Delhi, May 26 (UNI) In the midst of upgrading higher education and setting up world class universities, India today suggested it could use British expertise and financial assistance in the process, the Human Resource Development Ministry indicated tonight.

The subject figured when Britain's Minister of State for Higher Education Bill Rammell called on India's Minister of State for HRD D Purandeswari, an HRD Ministry statement said.

Purandeswari told Rammell India was keen on mutual collaboration to upgrade such of its institutions as the Indian Institutes of Technology as well as setting up world class universities.

She said India sought help in the form of skill development, faculty support and training.

Higher Education Secretary R P Agrawal told visitors India would welcome financial aid in higher education as well as training and faculty development expertise.

Agrawal pointed out that India allows cent per cent foreign direct investment in education.

He said since new academic session starts from July faculty and teacher training facilities were needed ''as early as possible,'' the HRD statement said.

Britain is restructuring its skill development programme by associating industries and employers in toning up students' professional skills, the visitors said.

Agrawal voiced hope India would be able to gain from the British experience.

Rammell assured Britain's full support for joint collaboration in areas identified.

The visiting delegation was informed by the Indian MoS that details of the collaborative effort would be discussed in an Education Forum meeting at London on July 18-19.

UNI MJ Mir HS2124