India and New Zealand on Friday signed five Memoranda of Understanding, MoU in 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.

Mr Sibal said that by 2022 India needs 500 million skilled persons and collaboration with New Zealand will benefit the people of both countries and also open up new economic opportunities.

On the occasion, New Zealand's Minister Steven Joyce announced the setting up of New Zealand India Research Institute, heralding a special partnership between a national consortium of nearly 40 academic institutions in New Zealand. The institute based at the Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand, facilitating research and other activities on India and New Zealand-India relations, will be operational from next month.