Question : Promoting Exchange and Cooperation in Education

(a) whether Indian Institute of Technology (IIT-BHU), Varanasi and Niigata University, Japan have signed an agreement to promote exchange and cooperation in the field of education, joint research, etc. of students/faculty members;
(b) if so, the details thereof indicating the aims and objective along with the salient features of the said agreement;
(c) the manner in which such an agreement will be beneficial to the students and faculty of both the countries;
(d) the details of the research work likely to be included in the programmes that will be organised by both the Universities in near future; and
(e) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to make such type of agreements between other Central Universities and Universities of other countries?

MINISTER OF EDUCATION

(SH. DHARMENDRA PRADHAN)

(a) to (e):A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (A) TO (E) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.164 TO BE ANSWERED ON 14.03.2022 REGARDING “PROMOTING EXCHANGE AND COOPERATION IN EDUCATION” RAISED BY SHRI RAVINDRA KUSHWAHA, SHRI RAVI KISHAN HON’BLE MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT
(a): Yes, Sir.
(b): The aims and objectives of the agreement between Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), Varanasi and Niigata University, Japan are (i) Exchange of academic and administrative staff; (ii) Exchange of students; (iii) Implementation of joint research; (iv) Holding of lectures and symposiums; and (v) Exchange of academic information and materials. The salient features of the exchange programme are (i) The period of study of exchange students shall be less than twelve months at the host university (ii) Each university may exchange a maximum of three (3) research postgraduate students during each academic year (iii) Exchange students shall retain their degree-seeking status at the home university, and shall be non-degree-seeking students at the host university (iv) Establishing procedures for application and entrance procedure on selection of students based on academic achievement, language skills, etc.
(c): This agreement envisages benefit of students on account of Student exchange. Upto three research postgraduate students would benefit during each academic year on account of students exchange. It will bring international exposure to students and faculty on account of exchange, implementation of joint research programmes, holding lectures and symposium, exchange of academic information and materials, cross-cultural understanding of both the countries, strengthening further cooperation between the two countries in the field of education and research etc.
(d): The initial thrust areas between both the Institutions are on optics-photonics and Optics Instrumentation. The other research areas include condensed matter, Material Science and Technology, Biomedical Instrumentation, Seismic response, etc.
(e): The Acts governing the Central Universities provide for cooperation or collaboration or association with any other University or authority or institution of Higher learning including those located outside the country in such manner and for such purposes as the University may determine.

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