US to set up council to strengthen higher education in India

The United States would set up a higher education council shortly with the involvement of experts from Indian and American universities and the private sector to assist India in capacity building and training in the field, a senior US official has said.    

"We are going to establish a higher education council where we are going to have a group of Indian and American University people, experts and people from private sector," Goli Ameri, Assistant Secretary of State in the US Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs said.    

Ameri, who interacted with heads of various companies here during her visit, told PTI in an interview last night that the American higher education sector was keen to assist India and the proposed council would give a push to possible initiatives in the area.    

"We are hopeful to be able to present (the proposal) to CEOs forum that's going to meet in New York in mid-October, and hopefully, be able to have the support of the private sector who are, as you well know, very interested in higher education sector in India", she said.    

Ameri Praised India's "solid" education system, but said more needs to be done, particularly in the higher education space, with the support of the private sector.   

"India is for sure known for its good education system, and I think the types of graduates that have created companies like Infosys....And clearly ability to provide service to the rest of the world...That comes from a solid education system", she said.