UK wants more student exchange programmes with India

The UK minister for universities and science, David Willets, visited the University of Pune (UoP), National Chemical Laboratory (NCL) and the Venture Centre on Tuesday to take academic and research links between the city and UK to a higher level.
Willets stressed on improving two-way flow of students for post-graduate research. He said it would be in the interest of India to have a range of universities from the world here.

During a press conference, the minister said he spoke to UoP vice chancellor R Shevgaonkar about encouraging student exchange programmes through which British students can avail of the education and research facilities in Pune for strengthening educational achievements of both the countries.

“Pune is known for education. There is great scope for higher studies and research for British students in Pune. But sadly, out of the wide range of students from all over the world, only 10 British students study in Pune. The city takes in 40% of the total foreign students in India and I want to take up the number of British students coming to Pune,” said Willets.

He said while 40,000 Indian students were studying in Britain only 500 students from Britain came to India for studies. The British government was keen on taking up this number. Citing the reason why a few British students preferred to study here he said many were unaware about opportunities and also about how Indian qualification will be valued in Britain, he added.

Willets also met the authorities from Bharati Vidyapeeth. “We are also keen on launching shared qualification programmes in India to encourage student exchange. Pune is a good place for research, especially in medicine,” the minister said.

He said NCL was an exceptional research centre and was working with the Buckingham University. Even the Cambridge University has academic links with Pune, he added.

The British government was also focusing on eliminating bogus colleges in Britain to stop the abuse of Indian students, he said. He appreciated the vision of Union education minister Kapil Sibal whom he met in New Delhi.