Education Minister Pushes for Overseas Internships and Research Collaboration with Singapore

Dharmendra Pradhan focuses on student opportunities through joint research, internships, and academic exchanges

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan met with Singapore's Prime Minister, H.E. Lawrence Wong, to discuss expanding India-Singapore bilateral cooperation in education, research, and vocational training. The meetings emphasized creating new opportunities for students through overseas internships, joint research projects, and academic collaborations, reinforcing ties under the pillars of ‘Talent, Resource & Market.’

Pradhan highlighted India's view of Singapore as a trusted knowledge partner, especially in areas like technology, startups, and innovation. He pointed out the comprehensive framework set by Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Wong to enhance cooperation across critical and emerging sectors, aiming to build a robust educational partnership.

Key Initiatives on Education and Student Opportunities Earlier, Pradhan met Singapore’s Education Minister, Chan Chun Sing, to explore initiatives such as overseas internships for Indian students in Singaporean companies, providing practical industry exposure. They also discussed joint research collaborations in fields like deep tech, medicine, and advanced materials, along with twinning programs between schools and universities to promote cultural and academic exchanges.

Further collaboration between Singapore’s National Institute of Education and India's NCERT was also a focal point, focusing on curriculum development, pedagogy, and teacher capacity-building. Pradhan extended an invitation to Minister Chan to visit India, expressing a commitment to enhancing educational cooperation and student mobility.

Engagement with Academic and Research Community During his visit, Pradhan met with Singapore’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Vivian Balakrishnan, to deepen the India-Singapore Knowledge Partnership. He also engaged with Prof. Tan Eng Chye, President of the National University of Singapore (NUS), discussing ways to strengthen research and academic ties between NUS and top Indian higher education institutions.

The discussions underscored potential collaboration in fields like healthcare, advanced materials, digitalization, and sustainability. Pradhan reiterated that enhancing access to quality higher education and promoting internationalization, as outlined in India’s National Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020), remains a priority.

Connecting with the Indian Diaspora and Future Engagements On October 20, Pradhan met members of the Indian diaspora in Singapore, discussing the role of NEP 2020 in upskilling Indian youth and the scale of educational reforms in India. His visit to Singapore marks the first leg of a tour that will continue in Australia until October 26, aimed at fostering educational collaborations and strengthening partnerships in research, student mobility, and innovation.