2016: UK-INDIA Year of Education, Research and Innovation launched

India and United Kingdom on 9 December 2015 launched a joint initiative 2016: UK-INDIA Year of Education and Research in New Delhi.

It was launched by visiting Secretary of State, Business Innovation and Skill of the UK Sajid Javid along with Human Resource Development (HRD) minister Smriti Irani.

Main Highlights of 2016: UK-INDIA Year of Education and Research
• In 2016, it will allow UK academicians to come to India under Global Initiative of Academic Networks (GIAN) programme.
• It will enhance partnership in research work in ten research priority areas under IMPRINT (IMPacting Research Innovation and Technology).
• It will help the two nations to deepen their bilateral relationship across education, research and innovation.
• To increase employability in India, the programme will help in development of community colleges and polytechnics of India, blended learning courses. These things will be done with the help of United Kingdom with focus on manufacturing and service sectors, which will help in meeting the requirements of Make in India.

Apart from 2016: UK-INDIA Year of Education and Research, Sajid Javid also announced the launch of 20th year of Chevening Gurukul Fellowship programme for Leadership and Excellence.

UK-India Education and Research Initiative-III
Javid also said that he looks forward to launch third phase of UK-India Education and Research Initiative (UKIERI-III) which could build upon good work already done under earlier phases of UKIERI.

The third phase of UKIERI-III, with higher budgetary allocation of 3 million Pounds per year from each side, will commence on 1 April 2016.

UKIERI-III will provide a basic framework for the bilateral cooperation between India and UK over the next 5 years.

It will focus on leadership and faculty development, integration of skills in the education system, e-partnership & research incubation, and enhancing mobility.

Background
The plan to observe the year 2016 as UK-INDIA Year of Education and Research was jointly announced by Prime Ministers of India Narendra Modi and United Kingdom PM David Cameron. It was announced in November 2015 during Modi’s visit to United Kingdom.

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