Education Ministry launches India-US working group on education and skill development

NEW DELHI: The education ministry and the US department of state virtually launched the India-US Working Group on Education and Skill Development today. This group aims to encourage collaboration and cooperation between India and the US. The group will focus on education and skill development and topics such as skilling and vocational education, certification and recognition, matchmaking between US and Indian higher educational institutions, and engaging with the private sector.

The joint working group aims to address skills gaps and improve employability along with mutual recognition of academic qualification and skill certification of Indian educational institutions to ease the mobility access for students and professionals in the countries. For this, the delegations stressed that promoting student and faculty exchange will be beneficial along with designing joint research programs and collaborative projects between different universities in India and the US. Indian delegate added that for ease of partnership between the two countries; there is a need for speed and efficiency in issuing visas.

The Indian delegate also discussed the need to explore joint or dual and twinning courses in areas of mutual interest that can be developed for mutual benefit.

The delegations highlighted the importance of the private sector in the educational field to meet the job market's needs. They said the private sector is necessary to " drive innovation, create job opportunities, and support the education sector”. The joint working group will hold regular meetings for further advancement of education and skill development collaborations.