Sibal likely to attend Indo-US education summit

The joint Indo-US education summit, announced by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh here today, would seek to explore opportunities as well as concerns in the field of higher education.

India could host the summit possibly next year and it is likely to be co-chaired by Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal and US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

The modalities for the meet and other issues are, however, yet to be worked out, the sources said.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh disclosed about the proposed education summit during a joint press conference with visiting US President Barack Obama here.

"We have decided to hold a higher education summit next year. Cooperation in the field of education sector holds great promise because no two other countries are better equipped to be partners in building the knowledge economy of the future," Singh said.

Kapil Sibal was a part of the delegation-level talks at the Hyderabad House today where the proposal for the higher education summit was finalised.

Several heads of US-based top league universities and representatives of other US varsities were also a part of the Obamab's delegation to India.

Sources said government educational institutes as well as the private sector will have a role in the summit.

Both the countries have also established the Singh-Obama Knowledge Initiative during Singh's visit to US last November to fund university partnerships and faculty development for the next five years.

They have pledged $5 million each to fund university partnerships.