Union Education and Skill Development Minister Shri Dharmendra Pradhan today met Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Tertiary Education, Science & Technology of Mauritius in Pune. He also held bilateral meetings with counterparts from UAE, UK and Oman, and senior officials from UNICEF and OECD on the side-lines of the 4th Education Working Group Meeting and Education Ministers meeting, to take forward the bilateral cooperation in education and skill development to greater heights.
During the meeting with Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Tertiary Education, Science & Technology of Mauritius, the dignitaries had productive discussions on expanding academic and skill development partnerships through comprehensive institutional mechanisms. Shri Pradhan assured the Mauritian Minister of India’s commitment to establishing an institution for curriculum research and development in Mauritius, as well as enhancing capacities in education and skill development.
Shri Pradhan engaged in significant conversations with HE Dr. Ahmed Belhoul Al Falasi, the Minister of Education, UAE. They deliberated on the prospects to constitute more robust institutional mechanisms for deepening engagements from ‘Schools to Skills’ to realize the full potential of bilateral cooperation. They also addressed concerns regarding degree equivalency and the alignment of skills frameworks between India and the UAE to facilitate seamless movement of students and workers.
Shri Pradhan met with HE Dr. Rahma Ibrahim Al-Mahrooqi, Oman’s Minister of Higher Education, Research, and Innovation. Shri Pradhan expressed desire to collaborate with Oman through knowledge partnerships in energy, food security, safety, biotech, and sustainability. They also discussed joint efforts in education and skill development to foster economic prosperity for both nations.
During his meeting with Dr. Robert Jenkins, Global Director of Education & Adolescent Development, UNICEF, Shri Pradhan conveyed his appreciation for UNICEF’s role as a knowledge partner in the G20 India framework and for promoting Foundational Literacy & Numeracy. The Minister shared information about the National Education Policy (NEP) and efforts to create an inclusive and equitable education system while talking about UNICEF’s collaboration with the Government of India in the education sector and its positive outcomes. They agreed to expand the UNICEF-India partnership to ensure universal early childhood care and education and align education with the principles of NEP 2020.
Shi Pradhan later engaged in discussions with Mr. Yoshiki Takeuchi, Deputy Secretary General at OECD. Shri Pardhan praised OECD’s role as a G20 India framework knowledge partner and their contribution to the EdWG’s outcome documents. He expressed desire to extend India-OECD collaboration beyond the G20 and replicate India’s transformative experiences in the Global South.
Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, met with Mr. Nick Gibb, Minister of State for Schools in the UK, and had productive discussions on collaborating in education, vocational training, and skill development.
