Steve Smith, Chair, Universities UK International (UUKi), has expressed joy with the New Education Policy (NEP) draft proposed by India. The Indian education policy draft has excited the UK academic fraternity as it is a policy that will have positive changes.
UUKi is a body that oversees and represents the higher education institutions in the United Kingdom (UK).
Steve also said that they are looking forward to the cooperation of the two countries in the education sector in areas where their interest coincides. He continued by saying they are exploring the draft and waiting patiently to see how the changes enacted by this policy will influence the Indian education center.
Director North, British Council India, Tom Birtwistle said:
It’s very similar to the same thinking going on in the UK with the formation of UKIERI. We believe that two countries are traveling on the same path for expanding their research base, we think it (NEP) will offer incredible opportunities.
This outlook between the two countries is expected to continue and expand to more areas.
Indian education policy draft on talks between UK and India
In the year 2006, both countries came together and established the UK-India Education and Research Initiative (UKIERI), which served as a conduit for sharing information between higher education sectors of both countries. It was given a green light by the British council.
Smith was visiting India as part of a delegation comprising about 20 UK vice-chancellors who had gone to India to explore education opportunities and bilateral relations strengthening.
Origin of the Indian education policy draft
The draft first came to light during the heated 2014 Indian election period. The draft was proposed and put forward for the stakeholders in the education sector to be involved and their feedback on the projects.
The policy is also expected to fine-tune the Visa education programs between the two countries. It is also expected to solve some major differences between the two countries’ higher education policies. The most common differences between the two countries’ higher education system are their master’s programs.
In the UK, it only lasts for a year, while in India, it is a minimum of two years. Therefore, masters holders from the UK are not eligible for Ph.D. in India. This has always proved to be a huge problem between the two countries but there is a positive outlook if this draft is implemented.
