India and New Zealand today signed five Memoranda of Understanding, MoU in the different fields of education. The MoUs were signed in New Delhi in the presence of Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal and visiting New Zealand's Minister for Tertiary, Education, Skills and Employment Steven Joyce.

Talking to media after the first meeting of India-New Zealand Education Council, Mr Sibal sought the cooperation of the opposition in passing the education bills in the winter session of parliament.

He said the education institutions of New Zealand specially higher education maintain global standards.
The Minister said that by 2022 India needs 500 million skilled persons.

On the occasion, New Zealand's Minister Steven Joyce said that New Zealand and India share strong people to people links through increasing migration, tourism, education and sporting ties. He said the aim of the visit is to strengthen links between the two countries even further, with education as a key element.