Education pledge by India, Britain

New Delhi, Jan 15: Aimed at strengthening the multi—billion pound education sector, Human Resources Minister Kapil Sibal started on a high—level visit to Britain on Wednesday, Jan 13.

In his scheduled meeting with the cabinet ministers, Sibal will discuss the wide range of cooperation between the two countries based education forum established by India and Britain.

British officials said that Sibal's visit will also mark the signing of memorandum of understanding between British and Indian universities to assist in more successful partnerships in higher education and research.

The human resource minister is will also deliver the keynote address at the Learning and Technology World Forum which will include dozens of education ministers among its list of audience.

Prior to the signing of the joint statement with British Business Secretary Peter Mandelson, Sibal will meet university vice-chancellors, to share his vision on the expansion of India's education sector.

“With almost 40 percent of India"s population under the age of 15, meeting India"s demand for education is among the foremost challenges for this new decade. I look forward to hearing Minister Sibal"s vision and hope that the UK can play a role in helping India to achieve its ambitions," said Mandelson.

Britain is home to 26,000 Indians students.

OneIndia News