HRD, Science and Technology ministries sign MoU

 New Delhi: The Human Resource Development Ministry signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Science and Technology on Friday for institutionalizing synergy between both ministries.
"The education sector in India is expanding rapidly to meet the increasing demand resulting from rise in Gross Enrolment Ratios. Human Resource Development processes have gained high significance in India during the last few years. There is a need for expansion while ensuring excellence and equity. The challenge ahead is large," an official press release said on Friday.
This memorandum was signed by Department of Higher Education Secretary Vibha Puri Das and Department of Science and Technology Dr. T. Ramasamy in the presence of Union Minister for HRD, Communications and Information Technology, Science & Technology and Earth Sciences Kapil Sibal.
The salient features of the MoU are as follows:
- Secretary of Higher Education to be invited to the National Science and Engineering Research Board (NSERC), the Bill for which has been passed by parliament.
- A Council for Grand Alliance Initiative would be established under the chairmanship of Union HRD Minister with Minister of S&T as Co-chair with all Secretaries of the two Ministries as members and Secretary (Telecommunications) as a permanent invitee. The Council would meet at least once in 3 months.
- An Executive Council (EC) will be constituted for overseeing the Alliance Initiatives. The EC would be a Committee of Secretaries of MHRD, MST and MoT with Secretary (HE) as Chair. This Council will meet at lease once in a month to review the progress of various activities.
- An "Office of Alliance for Research in Science" will be established as a physical unit in the MST. It will be staffed and governed jointly by the MHRD and MST. This office would constitute various Advisory Committees and commission studies for identifying new areas of cooperation and collaboration. This office will serve as the back office for the two Ministries and serve as the coordinating arm.
This information is taken from- http://www.indiaedunews.net/Toda/HRD%2C_Science_and_Technology_ministries_sign_MoU_13363/