Lok Sabha Question No. 1338 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-23
Subject: Scholarship Awarded to African Students
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: RAMESH POKHRIYAL NISHANK

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1338 TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.11.2016

## SCHOLARSHIP AWARDED TO AFRICAN STUDENTS

† 1338. DR. RAMESH POKHRIYAL 'NISHANK':

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) the number of scholarships awarded to various African countries  in  the  field  of  higher  education  with  a  view  to promote cooperation with them alongwith the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government is extending full cooperation to these countries in the field of skill development and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  any  proposal  to  open  cultural centres in other countries of the world including Africa and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) the  steps  taken  by  Government  to  promote  participation  of Indian private companies in Africa; and
- (e) the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  provide  security  to African students keeping in view recent attacks on them and the short term and long term steps taken to dispel the feeling of distrust among African students?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS [GEN. (DR) V. K. SINGH (RETD)]

- (a) Africa  Scholarship  Scheme  was  commenced  in  2012.    Till 2015-16  academic  year  900  annual  scholarship  slots  covering  54 countries in African continent were offered to pursue undergraduate, post graduate and Ph.D. courses in Indian Universities.    These  slots  were  increased  from  900  to  1000  w.e.f. 2016-17 academic year.  A total of 4184 civilian training slots are on offer to  African countries  (including Africa related multilateral
- agencies)  under  the  Indian  Technical  and  Economic  Cooperation (ITEC) programme of the Ministry of External Affairs.
- (b) Yes, the Government is extending full cooperation to African countries in the field of skill development.
-  ICCR  scholarships  involve  courses  on  technical,  management and agriculture imparting field-specific education.
-  Under the Special Commonwealth African Assistance Programme (SCAAP), the ITEC programme are primarily focused on  capacity  building,  skill  development,  transfer  of  technology and  sharing  of  experiences  with  the  partner  countries.    ITEC programme offered to the Professionals of beneficiary counries are short and medium term training courses designed on a wide and  diverse  range  of  skills  and  disciplines  including  English language,  Information  Technology,  Finance  &  Accounts,  Audit, Banking,  Education  Planning  &  Administration,  Parliamentary Studies, Crime Records, Management, Environment, Telecommunication,  Environment  and  Renewable  Energy,  SME and Rural Development etc.
-  Under IAFS projects IT Centres and skill development/vocational training centres are also proposed to be established in various African countries.
- (c) ICCR  is  in  the  process  of  establishing  new  Indian  Cultural Centres  in  Washington  and  Paris.    ICCR  is  already  operating  five Indian  Cultural  Centres  in  African  countries,  where  the  knowledge about various aspects of Indian culture like dance, music, yoga and languages  is  imparted  to  the  local  populace.    These  Centres  are located in Egypt, South Africa (Johannesburg and Durban), Tanzania and Mauritius.
- (d) Our  Missions  abroad  are  constantly  engaged  with  the  Indian private sector to promote their participation in the countries therein. The annual CII-EXIM Bank Conclave on India-Africa Project Partnership brings together African governments, public and private sectors  and  their Indian counterparts.  During  recent  visits  by President, Vice President and Prime Minister to Africa (Mozambique, Tanzania,  Kenya,  South  Africa,  Ghana,  Cote  d'Ivoire,  Nigeria  and Mali) important Indian business delegations accompanied the dignitaries and held fruitful discussions with their African counterparts.

MEA's  Economic  Diplomacy  Division  (EDD)  organized  'I  for Afrika'  event  in  Mumbai  from  27-30  September  2016,  which  was aimed in bringing the businessmen of India and Africa together.  B2B meetings  were  held  over  the  period  of  3  days  which  led  to  the signing  of  28  MoUs  between  Indian  and  African  companies.    More than  300  African  delegates  and  about  1200  Indian  businessmen participated in this event to promote India Africa commercial/trade relations.    EDD  also  sponsors  participation  of  Indian  Businessmen and  entrepreneurs  in  economic  forums  and  exhibitions  in  Africa, which  are  aimed  at  promoting  investments  into  India  and  Indian investments in Africa. It brings out case studies/ write-ups/ publications on doing business in Africa.

DPA  Division  is  engaged  in  carrying  out  projects  in  sectors such as civil aviation, energy, transport, ports, highways, telecommunications, electronics, software, auto, tourism, food processing and suggests opportunities to Indian businesses accordingly. (e) ICCR  Headquarters  and  its  Regional  Offices  located  in  20 cities across India constantly remain in touch with the law enforcement  authorities  and  conduct  periodic  meetings  with  them to ensure safety and security of the students from African countries. ICCR sponsored students are oriented and sensitized regarding their safety and security.

ICCR  has  also  written  to  State  Chief  Secretaries,  Resident Commissioners,  Police  Commissioners  of  concerned  States  with regard  to  ensuring  safety  and  security  of  the  ICCR  sponsored students studying under their respective jurisdictions. Chief Ministers have also been sensitized by EAM and MOSs.

*****