British Minister for Universities and Science who was in town on Tuesday, expressed the nation’s policy to encourage even more British students to come to India to pursue their education.

The British minister was quite impressed with his visit to the University of Pune (UoP) and said that he is keen on having more tie-ups with city-based institutions and the UoP to make the exchange of students and researchers easier.

David Willets, United Kingdom (UK) minister for Universities and Sciences was on an official visit to India, in which he visited Delhi and Bangalore before coming down to Pune.

Willets visited the University of Pune to meet Vice Chancellor Dr Raghunath Shevgaonkar. “We are interested in Pune because the city is known for high quality academics.

But I have regrets as there are just a handful of British students here. I learnt that 40 per cent of foreign students coming to India, go to Pune University.

Our policy is to encourage British students to come to India for undergraduate studies, post graduate studies as well as research,” Willets said.

He added, “There are about 40,000 Indian students currently studying in the UK. We would like to encourage more Indians to come to the UK.

Simultaneously, we are encouraging students from the UK to go to India for studies, as there are only 500 British students in India currently.

Dual degree possible
Willets said, “Currently talks are on about academic tie-ups at various levels. Issues like recognition and validity of a degree are being discussed to make it a part of national policy.

Within this framework, a dual degree from a UK university as well as an Indian university, would be possible which could be a good option.

Science and technology as well as public health
“British students could look at academic and research sharing in Science and Technology-related subjects. Public health and medical science is also a relevant option for our students.

But as a ministry, we don’t want to restrict students by asking them to choose a particular subject. It is based on the individual interests of the universities and students,” Willets said.

Chevening Scholarship for Science and research leadership
Willets informed this reporter that the well-known British Chevening Scholarship, which is a government-funded scholarship programme will be launched for Science and Technology leadership.

“Our Prime Minister will announce it’s launch soon,” he said.

India should open up their job market
When asked about the faculty crunch in Indian institutions and layoffs in the UK, Willets said, “India should open up their job offerings to foreign citizens.

In the current scenario, India is not allowing foreigners to take up full time positions in Indian universities. There are exchange programmes, but no full time jobs.”

Joint venture with NCL
The National Chemical Laboratory (NCL) which is based in the city has joint hands with  the UK. Mr Willets said, “We have a joint research programme in this centre which is meant for new technology start-ups.”

There are a couple of other links with South England Universities with Pune-based Indian Institute of Science, Education and Research (IISER). Willets also visited IISER to dicuss these programmes.

Authentic British degrees
When asked about the authenticity of British institutes offering degrees to Indian students, Willets said, “In the UK we have strict regulations on universities offering degrees. Only a university can confer a degree.

There are 12,000 institutions and a sizeable number institutes which abuse the system. Students can check the authenticity of the institution through sources like British Council.”