India and Germany plan to sign two MoUs to strengthen the research and training in the field of education and language during the bilateral visit of the Prime Minister to Berlin. Speaking to the media in Berlin, Human Resource Development Minister Pallam Raju , who is part of the PM’s delegation today said that 3.5 million euros are being planned to be set aside by both countries each for joint research and innovation programmes , stretching to 4 years.
Elaborating on this Mr Raju said that technology has been a strength of the Germans and India is trying to harness this for its vast domestic base to use this expertise in various polytechnics.
Way back IIT Madras had been set up in collaboration with the Germans. Overall there are around 255 joint programmes going on between India and Germany, he said. There are various linkages in long and medium term enterprises between the two countries. Mr Raju said that IIT Mandi is also being hand held by a consortium of German’s technical universities.
Speaking on the strengthening of German language collaboration, HRD Minister said that around 30,000 Kendriya Vidayalays students across the country are learning German. All Kendriya Vidayalays, he said, are being offered with a German language course, where he wants the children should not only learn the language but also get a glimpse of their culture for a wider understanding of the subject. He said 4500 Indian students are there in various German universities.
AIR correspondent covering PM`s visit to Berlin reports that responding to queries on the availability of the Akash 2 tablets to the students, the Minister said that the process to acquire them is on. There is a tie up with the Canadian Company, which has been assigned to give one lakh tablets. However, there is a delay in their delivery. The Minister said meanwhile, IIT Chennai is in the process of designing an advanced version called Akash 4 tablets, to access educational content for the use of the students. The educational content and its initiative is being supported by Government.