HRD Minister Smriti Irani calls for better higher education

At the second SAARC Education Ministers’ meeting, held in Delhi last Friday, the ministers decided to make universalization of education as their top priority. According to a report by Times of India, “Member nations also decided to work together on reforms relating to curricula, learning materials, pedagogic processes, learning assessment frameworks, teacher quality and performance, improvement in institutional leadership and management.”

The Declaration on Education also stated that the countries would develop essential strategies for attaining the post-2015 education development goals and share information regarding the progress. Researches and sharing of results related to education policies were also decided at the meet.

India HRD minister Smriti Zubin Irani addressed the gathering: "Resolve of our nations to work, study and think together has materialized in the form of South Asian University which is funded jointly by all the member countries and started functioning nearly four years ago in New Delhi. It should be our joint endeavour to see it emerge as an institute of excellence which could contribute to creation of knowledge in the region through quality higher education at an affordable cost,” reported Times of India.

The Indian Express>

The ministers decided to outlay their budget regarding higher education promising better investment in higher education and higher that standards of teaching. India’s future initiatives such as inclusive education, quality improvement, more ICT in education, development and promoting e-resources, connectivity, e-learning and Massive Open Online Courses, mutual capacity building and organizing more of students and researchers exchanges, were also discussed at the meet.

ORIGINAL SOURCE: Times of India

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Women-also-face-a-significant-wage-differential-vis-vis-their-male-counterparts/articleshow/45001520.cms