APPENDIX 5
Memorandum by the British Council
EDUCATION LINKS BETWEEN UK AND INDIA
HIGHER EDUCATION
LINKS
1. There is a relatively weak link between
education and industry in India. In addition, scientific research
tends to be conducted in research labs and institutions independent
of the main centres of learning. However, it is clear that a solid
educational relationship between UK and India underpins trade
and investment opportunities both through an increased predilection
of those educated or linked in with UK to do business there and
the increasing emphasis on industry involvement in collaborative
research and programme delivery. This will be a particular feature
of the new UK India Education and Research Initiative (UKIERI)
which is covered in a separate brief.
2. The British Council has been managing
the DFID funded Higher Education Links scheme which aim to increase
practical skills, and support professional development within
an academic department, and to improve the curriculum, technology
transfer, and promote pro-poor relevant research. Some links also
include community outreach, training and contribute to policy
level change and reform.
3. HE Links are based on partnership, and,
in addition to the DFID funding, the British Council and the UK
and overseas institution contribute significantly. The British
Council provides overseas management time and both link institutions
provide staff time and access to facilities.
4. Between UK and Indian institutions, successful
links have been in a wide range of development sectors: Administration
and management, the environment (including agriculture, earth
sciences, conservation and eco-tourism, mining management, water
management, coastal areas management, water resources management,
pollution management, forestry, rural regeneration) Life sciences
(including biochemistry, health pharmacy) social development and
governance (including social policy, poverty alleviation strategies,
gender and development, human rights) Education, (including literacy,
community development, information technology and on line learning).
DELPHE
5. The HE Links programme will end in March
2006, but will be replaced by a similar programme called Development
Partnerships in Higher Education (DELPHE). This will be launched
in April 2006. It is funded by the Department for International
Development (DFID) with support from the British Council and HE
institutions in the UK and overseas. DELPHE will support a variety
of partnerships between HE institutions, enabling them to collaborate
in activities linked to sustainable development and poverty reduction
in DFID's 25 priority focus countries across Africa and Asia,
including India. Partner institutions will work on initiatives
for skills development, knowledge sharing, problem solving research
and other activities that will contribute towards achieving the
Millennium Development Goals. In addition to addressing core MDG-related
areas such as health, education, gender issues and agriculture,
DELPHE will also encourage projects aiming to promote science
and technology in the focus countries.
6. The DELPHE programme (£2 million
per annum globally over seven years) will be managed by the British
Council, drawing on the resources of its overseas network. The
Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) will assist by
disseminating and gathering information through its networks of
universities and scholars and by promoting DELPHE to Commonwealth
Scholar alumni.
Other Higher Education Links
7. The British Council encourages collaborative
links between UK and Indian institutions with market briefings
for UK institutions and match-making services to both UK and Indian
institutions. We manage two websites to this end: http://www.india-uk-academic-network.net
and http://www.edulinksuk-india.org/. We are aware of around
60 research links between UK and Indian institutions and around
65 links involving the collaborative delivery of programmes in
India or across both countries. The new UK India Education and
Research Initiative (separate briefing) will contribute significantly
to these links.
EDUCATION UK
8. Indians who have studied or researched
in the UK are likely to develop professional, trade or business
links with the UK later in their lives. Evidence is anecdotal
and would bear a detailed study.
9. In 2004-05 HESA statistics indicate that
16,725 Indian students were studying in the UK. Of these, 1,600
studied in medical related areas, 900 in the biological and agricultural
sciences, 2,400 in computer sciences, 3,140 in engineering (of
which 75 in aerospace engineering, and 1,390 in electronic and
electrical engineering), and 5,275 in business related studies
(of which 675 were in finance or accounting). These numbers have
increased in 2005-06 to approximately 17,000 (in comparison to
20,000 students in Australia and 80,000 in USA).
10. The British Council runs two major touring
education exhibitions around India every year. These reach out
to around 25,000 young people. In addition, we ran a roadshow
in second cities this year which reached out to 95,000 young people,
and we work closely with an effective agents network.
SCHOLARSHIPS AND
ALUMNI
11. The British Council administers around
250 scholarships including around 100 Chevening scholarships every
year. Scholarships include key figures in many of the areas of
interest to the Committee ie IT; life sciences; and financial
services.
12. The British Council has developed an
alumni network of 25 chapters across India. Many ABS members maintain
businesses with UK connections.
FURTHER EDUCATION
13. Wigan and Leigh College has franchise
operations in 10 cities across India.
14. A number of UK qualifications are delivered
in India, including in the financial services sector: ACCA 1,397
candidates, CFA 462 candidates, CIMA 309 Candidates. Other sectors
are medicine and health; legal; and English. The British Council
administers around 83,000 UK examinations in India every year.
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