UK-EDUCATION 2

Replying to questions, Sibal said it would be unfair to
compare Indian Universities with British counterparts like
Harvard, Cambridge or Oxford now, but expressed confidence
that in 50 years time "we will be on top".

"India is considered a power to reckon with in knowledge
sector. Give us 30-40 years we shall be there," he said.
At the UK-India Education and Research Initiative
meeting, Sibal said, he had suggested the setting up of a task
force to lay out a roadmap for the future.
The Task Force would be set up in the next four to six
weeks and would submit its report before 2011, he said.
Asked to spell out the extent of investment he expected
in the education sector in India, Sibal said "the investment
will depend on environment and legislations. The space for
investment is close to USD 400 billion. How that space is
occupied depends on market condition".
Replying to a query on difficulties faced by some of the
Indian students in UK in getting part-time employment, Sibal
said the High Commissioner Nalin Surie broached the subject
with Ed Balls, Secretary for Schools, pointing out that the UK
would lose its attraction for Indian students unless there is
a relook at their visa system.
"I do hope they will do something about it," Sibal said.
Regarding complaints about student visa rackets run by
some travel agents in India, he said the government is in
process of initiating an 'Education Malpractices Bill' which
is referred to a group of Ministers to meet on January 19.
"Once that is cleared all these will be part of the
malpractices and we will deal with them," he said.(MORE) PTI
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