PA/30/11 1 August 2011
From the Office of the Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Jobs and Workplace Relations, Senator Chris Evans
Inaugural meeting of the Australia-India Education Council held in Delhi
Key priorities in education and training were identified today at the inaugural meeting of the Australia-India Education Council (AIEC) in New Delhi.
The meeting was co-chaired by Australia’s Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills and Jobs, Senator Chris Evans, and India’s Minister for Human Resource Development, the Hon Kapil Sibal.
“Today’s first meeting of the AIEC provided a critical forum for leaders representing government, education and training organisations, and industry to identify strategic goals of mutual benefit to both nations in further strengthening the bilateral education, training and research relationship,” Senator Evans said.
“Australia’s bilateral relationship with India is deep and enduring and I am very pleased to be addressing the inaugural AIEC meeting.”
Earlier today the two Ministers met for their Annual India-Australia Ministerial Dialogue on Education Cooperation. The Ministers agreed to sign a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) on Student Mobility and Welfare. Through this MoC, both countries will agree to jointly carry out measures to enhance the safety and welfare of students in both countries and strengthen the monitoring of education agent activities.
The Ministers also welcomed initiatives to increase cooperation and collaboration agreed during the India Australia-Vice Chancellors’ and Senior University Executives’ Workshop held in Delhi on 31 July, hosted by the University Grants Commission. The Workshop agreed to promote greater institutional collaboration, credit transfer, student and staff mobility, and joint research. The Ministers commended Universities Australia for agreeing to host a reciprocal workshop in Australia in 2012.
The Ministers launched a new bilateral Australia India Education Links website as an information portal to support further education and training collaboration between Australian and Indian institutions. The website provides information on the roles and responsibilities of Australian and Indian education bodies, and hosts key reports. Information regarding the AIEC will be made available on this new website.
The AIEC will meet annually in conjunction with the Annual India-Australia Ministerial Dialogue on Education Cooperation.
“The AIEC is the vehicle that will enable both countries to foster highly beneficial education, training and economic ties.”
“Australia has a long relationship with India when it comes to bilateral cooperation in education and training.”
“Both countries have high ranking tertiary education institutions, strong vocational and education training initiatives funded by our respective governments and robust economies that require highly skilled workforces.”
Senator Evans’ Media Contacts: Karen Brown +61413 080 956; Rhys Davies +61411 138 572