MONGOLIA BESTOWS TOP HONOUR ON DR. JOSHI
PLANS
AFOOT FOR INDIAN UNIVERSITIES ABROAD
Mongolia,
a traditionally old friend of India with ethnic, cultural and
linguistic similarities, bestowed today in Ulan-bator, its top
honour the ‘Friendship Medal’ on Dr. Murli Manohar Joshi, the
Minister for Human Resource Development, Science and Technology
and Ocean Development. The award was conferred on Dr. Joshi by
the Mongolian President Mr. N. Bagabandi at a special ceremony
coinciding with the birth anniversary celebrations of Chengis
Khan. The award is in recognition of Dr. Joshi’s contribution
towards promoting and strengthening the age-old ties, friendship
and cooperation among the two countries.
Conferring
the award, Mr. Bagabandi said, it is a fitting tribute not only
to Dr. Joshi but also India which has been a stead-fast friend
and partner. He expressed the confidence that in the time to come
Indo-Mongolian cooperation and friendship will grow from strength
to strength to attain new heights, in today’s era of globalisation.
The Mongolian President has specially invited Dr. Joshi to the
State Banquet he is hosting on the occasion of Chengis Khan birth
anniversary celebrations.
Accepting
the award with humility, Dr. Joshi assured the Mongolian President
that India will continue to do all possible especially in the
area of human resource development in Mongolia. He said India
is planning to go global in higher education and proposes to set
up Indian universities abroad during the Tenth Five-year Plan.
A policy framework for such educational ventures is presently
being worked out, to promote Indian education abroad. Setting
up of Indian universities in Mongolia is also on the agenda, Dr.
Joshi said.
India
and Mongolia with deep commitment to environment, can usher in
a new century of the ‘soft power’ of cultural and ecological concerns,
Dr. Joshi pointed out. It was in March last during the visit of
the Mongolian Minister of Education, Science and Culture Mr. A.
Tsanjid, the two countries agreed to maintain the age-old traditions
in the face of globalisation. Under the treaty of friendly relations
signed in 1994 Dr. Joshi said that both the countries will work
closely within the framework of the United Nations and other international
organisations, to promote peace and global security. He assured
the Mongolian President that the A.B. Vajpayee Centre of Excellence
in Information and Communication Technology will soon start shining
as a symbol of Indo-Mongolian friendship in Ulan-bator.
