INDIA AND ARMENIA
SIGN PROGRAMME OF CO-OP IN SCIENCE / EDUCATION
JOINT
COMMITTEE / WORKING GROUP TO BE SET UP FOR IMPLEMENTAION
India and Armenia
signed here last night, programmes of cooperation in the fields
of education and science and technology, after wide-ranging discussions
between the two sides headed by the Minister for Human Resource
Development and Science and Technology Dr. Murli Manohar Joshi
and the Armenian Minister of Education and Science Mr. Levon Mkrtchiav.
Both the leaders agreed that strengthening of cooperation will
be in the interest of the peoples of the two countries.
Recalling the age-old
ties with Armenia, Dr. Joshi said it is perhaps one of the ancient
countries of the world to have had relations with India. In this
connection he referred to the "Armenian Street" in Chennai, the
Armenian Church and college in Kerala and West Bengal. The Armenian
Minister commended India’s achievements and advancement in various
fields as well as appreciated the efforts being made by India
to achieve the goal of education for all. Among the areas, Armenia
expressed keen interest were Ayurvedic research and study, Information
technology, Education, Creative arts and Culture.
The programme in
science and technology for 2003-05, initialled by the Secretary,
Department of Science and Technology Prof. V. S. Ramamurthy and
the Armenian Ambassador in India Mr. A. Baibourtian, envisages
setting up of a joint committee for the successful implementation
of the areas identified for cooperation, exchange of scientists,
scientific ideas and technical information and use of research
and development facilities in each other’s country to facilitate
implementation of joint projects. To begin with, seismology and
astrophysics have been identified as two major areas of collaboration.
The programme of
cooperation in education signed by Dr. Joshi and Mr. Levon Mkrtchiav
envisages, increasing the level of interaction between the two
sides in varied fields of education including joint research,
training of teachers, exchange of scholars / teachers and students,
Information technology, computer and mathematical sciences and
Indology. A joint working group is to be set up for the implementation
of the programme which will remain in force for a period of five
years from the date of signing. The Armenian minister wanted more
Armenian students to be accommodated for study in India especially
information technology and allied subjects. Setting up of educational
and training institutions in Armenia also formed part of the agreement.
