Lok Sabha Question No. 4260 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-27
Subject: Framework Mechanism for Mutual Recognition of Qualifications
Ministry: Education
Asked by: Sambhajirao Mane Dhairyasheel, Shrirang Appa Barne, Bidyut Baran Mahato, Prataprao  Jadhav, Sudheer Gupta, Sanjay Sadashivrao Mandlik

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION

## LOKSABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4260

ANSWERED ON 27.03.2023

## Framework Mechanism for Mutual Recognition of Qualifications

## 4260. SHRI DHAIRYASHEEL SAMBHAJIRAO MANE:

SHRI SHRIRANG APPA BARNE:

SHRI BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO:

SHRI PRATAPRAO JADHAV:

SHRI SUDHEER GUPTA:

SHRI SANJAY SADASHIVRAO MANDLIK:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

(a) whether India and Australia have signed a Framework Mechanism for Mutual Recognition of Qualifications, if so, the details thereof and the salient features thereof;

(b)  whether  India  and  Australia  have  established  a  joint  task  force  for  mutual  recognition  of qualifications, if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether India and Australia has signed many institutional level MoUs to promote research and academic collaborations between the two countries in several key educational sectors and the manner in which it is likely to be helpful to the students from both countries if so, the details thereof; and

(d)  the  steps  taken/being  taken  by  the  Government  to  sign  more  such  agreements  with  other foreign countries to facilitate the students who are interested in studying in each other countries?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION (DR. SUBHAS SARKAR)

(a):  Yes,  Sir.  A  Mechanism  for  the  Mutual  Recognition  of  Qualifications  between  the Government  of  the  Republic  of  India  and  the  Government  of  Australia  was  signed  on 02.03.2023. The objective of the Mechanism  is to establish qualifications recognition arrangements to facilitate mobility of students and professionals between Australia and India.The Mechanism provides a framework for establishing level by level equivalence of educational and skill qualifications.

(b): In accordance with a Letter of Arrangement signed between the Government of the Republic of  India  and  the  Government  of  Australia  for  Education  Qualifications  Recognition  on 17.03.2022, a Taskforce on Education Qualifications Recognition was established on

01.07.2022. The Taskforce was composed of senior officials from Education and Skill Ministries and  Regulators  from  both  sides.  The  Taskforce  held  six  virtual  meetings  from  01.07.2022  to 29.11.2022  and  arrived  on  a  mutually  agreed  draft  Mechanism  for  Mutual  Recognition  of Qualifications.

(c):  Many  institutional  level  Memoranda  of  Understanding  (MoUs)  are  active  between  Indian and Australian Higher Education Institutions for research and academic collaborations in various areas like development of smart cities, Quantum technologies energy, water research and many others. However, consolidated data on institutional Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) is not centrally maintained by this Ministry.

These  Memoranda  of  Understanding  (MoUs)  will  provide  exposure  to  students,  enhance  the quality of education and research, and open new opportunities for the youth.

(d):  To  promote  India  as  global  study  destination  and  Internationalisation  of  education,  the National  Education  Policy  (NEP),  2020  stipulates  various  measures  which  inter  alia  includes facilitating  research/teaching  collaborations  and  faculty/student  exchange  with  high-quality foreign Higher Education Institutions (HEIs); signing of relevant mutually beneficial Memoranda  of  Understanding  (MoUs)  with  foreign  countries;  encouraging    high  performing Indian  universities  to  set  up  campuses  in  other  countries;  setting  up  of  International  Student Office  at  each  HEI  for  welcoming  and  supporting  students  arriving  from  abroad;  promoting courses and  programmes in subjects, such as Indology, Indian Languages, AYUSH systems of medicines, yoga, arts etc.

The Ministry of Education has signed agreements on Mutual Recognition of Qualifications with France, Morocco and United Kingdom.

Apart from these, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has released guidelines that allow collaborations under Twinning, Joint Degree, and Dual Degree Programmes between Indian and Foreign  universities.  World-class  foreign  universities  and  institutions  will  be  allowed  in  the GIFT  City to offer courses in Financial Management, FinTech, Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics to facilitate availability of high-end human resources for financial services and technology.

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