JEDDAH, 3 June 2006 — Mutual recognition of degrees by Saudi Arabia and India can facilitate the admission of students, a top academic said here on Thursday night.
“Such measures can sort out problems related to the admission of Saudi students in India and Indian students in the Kingdom,” University Grants Commission Chairman Sukhadeo Thorat told a seminar organized by the newly founded Indian Education Council (IEC) at the auditorium of the International Indian School-Jeddah.
“Questions such as whether the 12-year schooling in the Kingdom is equivalent to that in India and vice-versa can be tackled by such measures,” he said.
He agreed that Indian students, especially girls, residing in the Kingdom were faced with the problem of pursuing higher education and had to return home for seeking admission to higher or professional courses.
Another way to reduce the 70 percent dropout rate among girls after their 12-year schooling is the opening of Kendriya Vidyalaya branches here, subject to permission from local authorities, he said.
“We can hold common entrance tests (CET) for such courses if there is no objection from local authorities,” Thorat said. “In that event, students need not go to India to take CETs.”
He also called for a regular exchange of individuals and groups both at the faculty and student levels with a view to forging close understanding and cooperation between the two countries.
Developments since the visit of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah to India in January indicate that there is tremendous scope for a bilateral education exchange program that will contribute to a better mutual understanding of the people and students, he said, adding that Indian universities enjoy autonomy and are free to encourage faculty-level exchanges.
“However, at the student level, such exchanges are not possible without the involvement of the two governments,” Thorat said.
Both countries should benefit from each other’s education system. “For instance, India can benefit a lot from King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals that has a unique standing,” he added.
Jamia Millia Islamia Vice Chancellor Mushirul Hasan said the two countries could learn from each other’s experiences in the field of education. “The scope for cooperation is tremendous,” he said, adding that there is a fresh wave of activity for bilateral cooperation with the visit of federal Human Resource Development Minister Arjun Singh to Riyadh and Jeddah.
“With a large number of Indians here, there is need for India to look into the problems faced by the community,” said Hasan, an educationist, historian and writer. “This is a constituency we should nurse and the community should not be left out.” He advised expatriates to mount pressure on the government and seek a solution to their demands and grievances.
Effat College Vice Dean Asma Siddiki said the Kingdom could benefit a great deal from India’s expertise and experience in education. “I hope we can work hand in hand for the progress of education,” said the vice dean for student affairs. She pointed out that despite being a young nation, the Kingdom had a literary rate of 80 percent among adults and 96 percent among youth.
Indian Consul General Ausaf Sayeed said the two countries could cooperate in many fields, particularly science.
The IEC, which was launched during the recent visit of federal Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi, hosted the event through its governing council comprising Abdullah Mooppan, K.C. Gunasekharan, Saiduddin Haider and Sultan Mazharuddin.
