Key Points
- Indian Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan met with his Australian counterpart, Jason Clare, during his four-day visit to Australia which ends on Wednesday.
- In May, the two countries announced an interim free trade agreement and established a task force to recognise qualifications.
- Indian education minister raised the issue of pending visas of Indian students with the Australian government.
On Sunday, the Indian minister attended the AIEC meeting in Sydney and discussed several bilateral issues with Mr Clare including cooperation in education, skill development, research, innovation and entrepreneurship.
He asked Australian universities and skilling institutions to set up their campuses in India and explore areas of collaboration with Indian institutions.
Consul General Dr Sushil Kumar (Standing), Indian Educaiton Minister Dharmendra Prasad (Left) sitting with Indian High Commissioner Manpreet Vohra (Right). Credit: SBS Hindi
The Australian Minister has assured cooperation in expediting the pending visasIndian Education Ministry
The two sides agreed to expand the cooperation in learning, skilling and research with a view to making education a key pillar under the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, it added.
The two ministers announced the establishment of a working group on transnational education to build a shared understanding of the regulatory settings in both countries and promote opportunities for two-way mobility of institutions.
Indian Consul General Dr Sushil Kumar (L) greeting visiting Indian Education Minister Dharmendra Prasad (R). Credit: SBS Hindi
Pointing out that the AIEC was a highly effective forum to further advance ties and boost engagements in education, skill development and research priorities, Mr Pradhan extended an invitation to the Australian team to hold the 7th meeting of the AIEC in India next year.
Indian diaspora attending an event organised at the Melbourne's consulate to greet the Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Credit: SBS Hindi
Mr Pradhan also held bilateral discussions with the Australian Minister for Skills and Training Brendan O'Connor and invited him to visit India for exploring opportunities to strengthen cooperation in skill development.
The visiting minister also met the Indian diaspora in Sydney and Melbourne.
After the AIEC meeting, the Australian education Minister Jason Clare announced investment worth half a million dollars to assist in the collaboration between the researchers online and the Australia-India Research Student Fellowships Program, worth about $600,000, that will provide fellowships for 70 students and young researchers from India as well as from Australia.
