From space science to education, the Union cabinet on Wednesday cleared six draft memoranda of understanding with the US, to be signed during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s US tour.
One of the proposals, between ministry of human resource development and US’ National Science Foundation (NSF) is aimed at a global initiative to boost research in cutting edge technology and build bilateral academic networks.
“The proposed India-US Cooperation will be beneficial for adoption of newer methods of pedagogy and innovation driven learning at a relatively lower cost,” said law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, after the cabinet meeting.
The cabinet also approved a proposal for India’s participation in the Thirty Metre Telescope (TMT) Project at Hawaii, in the US, at a total cost of Rs. 1,299.8 crore.
The telescope, to be constructed by an international consortium, will enable Indian scientists to explore many fundamental questions of modern science.
As New Delhi will enjoy 10% partnership of the project, Indian scientists will be able to observe 25 to 30 nights with the telescope every year.
Another ambitious joint venture, SWAYAM, was given a nod by the Union government which will boost higher education through online platforms.
The new partnership will comprise a mechanism to enable the top US universities to create and share post-graduate online courses on the Indian SWAYAM platform.
{{/usCountry}}The new partnership will comprise a mechanism to enable the top US universities to create and share post-graduate online courses on the Indian SWAYAM platform.
{{/usCountry}}The cabinet also approved a proposal for Indo-US cooperation in the field of gas hydrates, among other initiatives.