Sibal offers equal opportunity to US varsities

In its quest to provide quality education in the country, the Central government is going whole hog to rope in global educational institutions. With a view to woo foreign investors for the education sector, the government has gone a step further. It offered US educational institutions equal opportunities at home at par with their domestic counterparts. 

This promise of a level playing field to the foreign players in the country reflects the desperation of the government to pool foreign investment for the educational sector. It is ready for partnerships with global institutions in its venture. In this context, HRD Minister Kapil Sibal has made a trip to US to woo some of the well meaning universities in that country. 

Addressing a press conference in Washingon on Friday Sibal said:

"With the expansion of the higher education sector and the needs of Indian students, we need not just to allow education providers in India to grow, but we also need to provide for foreign investment in the education sector." 

The partnership that the government would like to have with prominent American universities is in 14 innovation universities it is looking forward to establish in the country. And Sibal has undertaken the trip to America precisely garner support for the ambitious project to push research and development. The minister boasted of overwhelming response and termed the trip "exceptionally satisfying". 

Ever since it has embarked on the path of reforms in education sector and the passage of the Right to Education Bill, the government has realised the implications of an expanded education sector. It needs many new institutions, colleges and universities besides vocational training centres. 

While stressing on the need for quality education in the country, Sibal admitted candidly:

”We need to bring in education providers who have experienced hundreds of years of quality education and have systems in place to provide quality education." 

He further said:

"The foreign institutions coming to India would have to work within the framework of law. But we have explained that to them. But they'll get a level playing field." 

 

The Indian minister called on US Secretary for Education Arne Duncan during his stay in Washington.  Besides, he met presidents of leading US universities to further his mission to expand the education sector.