India, Saudi Arabia to promote scientific relations
Monday, 06 November 2006, 20:30 IST
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New Delhi: India and Saudi Arabia on Monday inked a pact to strengthen the existing cordial relations between the two countries and increase the level of cooperation in scientific and educational fields. Human Resource Development Minister Arjun Singh and Saudi Arabia's Higher Education Minister Khaled Bin Mohammad Al-Angari signed the memorandum of understanding here. The agreement, which will remain in force for at least five years with provision for automatic renewal unless objected by either side, shall encourage "visits between officials in higher education, teaching faculty, researchers and cooperate in the fields of mutual interest". "Both the parties shall encourage direct scientific and educational communication among their respective academic and research institutions. It will also encourage expertise in the field of information technology, computer science and mathematics," a statement by the human resource development ministry said. Besides, both the parties will encourage exchange of scholarships and seats according to available means. They shall also encourage holding university cultural weeks and in both the countries that include lectures, symposia and book exhibition. The two countries will work together to provide access to and benefits from historical manuscripts, records and documents available in their possessions and exchange experts in this field. They will also extend support for the promotion of each other's languages, literature and history. A 17-member Saudi Arabian delegation led by Al-Angari is in the country on a five-day official visit. Apart from signing the agreement, the delegation will visit reputed educational institutions like Indian Institute of Technology (Delhi), Jamia Milia Islamia University and Indira Gandhi Open University (all in Delhi); Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and WIPRO Electronic City (both in Bangalore), Hyderabad University and Osmania University (both in Hyderabad).
Source: IANS
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