Israel’s Ambassador to India, Alon Ushpiz, met with Mrs Smriti Irani, India’s Minister of Human Resource Development on 29 May to discuss strengthening educational relations between the two countries.

Recalling the close ties in different fields like science and technology, education, culture, economic and commerce, India’s minister stressed that education is an engine of growth and collaborative knowledge creation is very important for building a better world.

During the discussion the new Joint Research programme was taken up in which both countries have pledged to take up joint research programmes amounting up to US$ 5 million per year. It was highlighted that in the first round 66 joint research proposals have been received and are being evaluated by the experts from both sides.

Currently Israel offers 200 Post-Doctoral fellowships of which about 80% have been taken up by Indian students. Minister Irani was happy to learn that Israel is also launching another scholarship programme of 40 slots for bachelor and 30 scholarships for Masters programmes in Israel.