The India And UK collaboration on Mutual Recognition of Academic Qualifications (MRQ) will enhance the bilateral relationship between the countries and enable the seamless exchange of students within the two countries, Rittika Chanda Parrack, director, of education, British Council, India, told FE Education Online.
According to her, as a part of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), any academic qualifications of students will be recognized by both countries, and students from both lands will be eligible to enter any higher education institutions in India and UK. “In academia, students look for quality, opportunity, and networking. The agreement will enhance three of these factors,” Parrack said.
Furthermore, she added that subjects including engineering, medicine, nursing, para-medical education, pharmacy, law, and architecture are out of the purview of the MoU. “The MoU covers almost 80% of all the subjects students opt for,” Purrack said.
The British Council is the UK’s cultural relational organization. “We were part of the task force of the MoU process. We work with Indian higher education organizations such as University Grants Commission (UGC), All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), among others,” Purrack added. According to her, the British Council has given grants to Indian higher education organizations to facilitate academic programmes in areas such as the circular economy, sustainability, and disaster resilient infrastructure among others.
Further, on September 8, 2022, the Union Cabinet approved the agreement between India and the UK on mutual recognition of academic qualifications (MRQ). “This Memorandum of Understanding is for three years. It will be renewed every third year,” Purrack said. In addition, along with mutual recognition of educational qualifications, the MoU aims to facilitate periods of study undertaken, documents related to academic degrees and qualifications, and accreditation by educational institutions within the two countries.
The first meeting of the agreement was held on February 4, 2021, and subsequently, after detailed deliberations and negotiations, India and UK came under the MoU.
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