New Delhi: On January 14, 2011, the Human Resource Development (HRD) Ministry has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Science & Technology. As per sources, Vibha Puri Das, Department of Higher Education Secretary and Dr. T Ramasamy from the Department of Science and Technology signed the MoU.
In addition, sources told that the MoU was signed in the presence of the Union Minister for HRD, Communications and Information Technology, Science & Technology and Earth Sciences Kapil Sibal. According to an official release, the education sector in India is expanding rapidly to meet the increasing demand resulting from rise in Gross Enrolment Ratios.
Furthermore, the release told the sources that Human Resource Development processes have gained high significance in India during the last few years. There is a need for expansion while ensuring excellence and equity. The challenge ahead is large, the release added. Significant features of the MoU are given below.
- Secretary of Higher Education is to be invited to the National Science and Engineering Research Board (NSERC), the Bill for which has been passed by parliament.
- A Council for Grand Alliance Initiative would be established under the chairmanship of Union HRD Minister with Minister of S&T as Co-chair with all Secretaries of the two Ministries as members and Secretary (Telecommunications) as a permanent invitee. The Council would meet at least once in 3 months.
- An Executive Council (EC) will be constituted for overseeing the Alliance Initiatives. The EC would be a Committee of Secretaries of MHRD, MST and MoT with Secretary (HE) as Chair. This Council will meet at lease once in a month to review the progress of various activities.
- An Office of Alliance for Research in Science will be established as a physical unit in the MST. It will be staffed and governed jointly by the MHRD and MST. This office would constitute various Advisory Committees and commission studies for identifying new areas of cooperation and collaboration. This office will serve as the back office for the two Ministries and serve as the coordinating arm.
