In a discussion between Kapil Sibal, Union Minister for Human Resource Development (MHRD) and Professor Max. G. Huber, Vice President of the German Academic Exchange Service, recently, it was tabled that India and Germany are likely to setup a joint working group on education. This working group will act as an umbrella organization that encompasses all areas including research, academic training programmes, setting up of chairs in each other's countries', academic and faculty exchange programmes, etc.
Sibal pointed out that the area in which India and Germany could work together was in skill development. He talked about the HRD Ministry proposal to set up community polytechnics, which will specialise in imparting skills. He cited the example of the several German automobile units in India, for which skilled manpower could be generated through a focused programme in skill development between India and Germany, which will benefit both countries. The German delegation expressed their interest in imparting of joint degrees by Germany and India. The HRD Minister stated that the opening up of the education sector in India was proposed in the HRD Ministry's 100 day plan.
