Question : Implementation of JRP Scheme

(a) whether the University Grants Commission (UGC) has implemented a Joint
Research Programme (JRP) between higher education institutions in India and foreign
education institutions;
(b) if so, the details thereof along with the number of foreign institutions involved in
research and academic collaboration;
(c) the manner in which Indian students have benefited through said JRP;
(d) whether the Government has initiated any steps to increase the representation of
female students in JRP;
(e) if so, the details thereof along with the funds allocated by the Government during
each of the last three years and the current year; and
(f) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to provide affordable and quality
education to the eligible population in the country in Government and private sector
institutions?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

(Dr. SATYA PAL SINGH)

(a) to (c): As informed by University Grants Commission (UGC), a number of Joint
Research Programmes (JRP) have been implemented through Memoranda of
Understanding (MoUs)/Agreements between the Government of India and the
Government of other countries like USA, UK, Israel, Norway, New Zealand and
Germany.
The Programmes are being implemented to provide opportunity to young Indian
researchers and teachers of all disciplines to have international collaborative research
training in advance techniques and technologies in emerging fields. Research scholars
are also associated with the projects and participating in the exchange visits.
(d) to (f): The extant National Policy on Education (NPE) provides for a National System
of Education wherein, up to a given level, all students, irrespective of caste, creed,
location or sex, have access to education.
As informed by UGC, the funds allocated for various joint research programmes
in the last 3 years are as follows:
<pre>
Programme Allocation of Funds (in
cr.)
Indo- US 21st Century Knowledge Initiative 4.50
Indo- Israel 30.00
UGC- UKIERI 4.00
Indo- Norway 6.60
Indo- German Partnership 2.04
<\pre>
Further, the Ministry of Human Resource Development has introduced the
Scheme for Promotion of Academic and Research Collaboration (SPARC), which
facilitates academic and research collaborations between Indian Institutions and top
leading Universities of the world. With an allocation of Rs.418 Crores, spread over a
period of two years (2018-19 and 2019-20), the scheme aims to support around 600
joint research proposals and will have a major impact in providing the best international
expertise to address major national problems, expose Indian academicians to the best
collaborators abroad, provide Indian students an opportunity to work in the world class
laboratories, develop strong bilateral relationships in research, and improve the
international ranking of Indian Institutions.
Moreover, in exercise of the powers conferred by the provisions of the Institute of
Technology Act, 1961, each IIT enters into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with
educational institutions across the world for academic and research collaboration,
including student and faculty exchange programmes, joint research projects, joint Ph.D.
programmes and twinning arrangements. The Indian Institutes of Management can also
enter into collaboration with educational or management institutions in other countries, to
extend the interests of management education and research, under the provisions of
The Indian Institutes of Management Act, 2017.
The Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research have also entered into
MoUs with foreign institutions for collaborative research, and faculty and student
exchange programmes.
*****