In a significant step towards enhancing educational collaboration, the Education and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship Minister of India, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, recently met with his counterpart, H.E. Dr. Ahmad Al Falasi, the UAE Minister of Education, in Abu Dhabi. The meeting resulted in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at bolstering existing educational cooperation between the two nations. This MoU is expected to promote student and faculty mobility and various other educational initiatives.
Highlighting the potential for collaboration, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan emphasized the UAE’s status as a global economic hotspot and India’s position as a global talent hotspot. He stressed the importance of building a knowledge bridge to strengthen the civilizational connect between the two countries.
During the meeting, both ministers reviewed previous engagements in the fields of education and skill development, particularly focusing on the progress made following discussions during the 4th Education Working Group of the G20 India. They expressed their satisfaction with the mutual recognition of academic and skill qualifications, as well as the recognition of Indian institutes in the UAE. Additionally, they underscored the need for continued work in these areas and reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing institutional mechanisms to facilitate student and workforce mobility.
Shri Dharmendra Pradhan also expressed gratitude to H.E. Dr. Ahmed Belhoul for the support extended to schools in the UAE that follow the Indian curriculum and discussed ways to facilitate student exchange programs between India and the UAE.
The signing of the MoU marks a significant milestone in the cooperation between the two countries in the field of education. It focuses on various aspects, including student and faculty mobility, joint research programs, course design, and participation in academic conferences and exhibitions. The MoU also aims to facilitate the exchange of information regarding regulations, legal structures, and best practices in general and higher education, as well as frameworks and policies for mutual recognition of qualifications.
Furthermore, the agreement includes provisions for cooperation in the field of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) teaching staff development and envisions the creation of a Joint Working Group chaired by representatives from both India and the UAE. This group will meet annually to review the implementation of the memorandum.
Shri Dharmendra Pradhan also had the opportunity to visit “42 Abu Dhabi,” a coding school with a strong emphasis on innovation, creativity, and peer-to-peer learning through a project-based and gamified curriculum. The school’s commitment to removing barriers to education and providing flexibility to learners aligns with the goals of India’s National Education Policy 2020.
In addition, Shri Pradhan interacted with students and faculty at the Abu Dhabi Indian School (ADIS), praising the institution for nurturing Indian students and instilling in them the cultural values and ethos of both India and the UAE.
This MoU and Shri Dharmendra Pradhan’s visit to various educational institutions in the UAE signify a significant step towards strengthening educational ties between India and the UAE, fostering collaboration, and promoting the exchange of knowledge and skills in the field of education. This move is expected to benefit students and institutions in both countries and contribute to the development of a knowledge bridge that strengthens their civilizational connection.
Credits: Press Information Bureau, New Delhi
