ITEC programmes take India-Sri Lanka relationship to next level
Dr Suren Raghavan, State Minister of Higher Education has highlighted the scope for further cooperation between India and Sri Lanka in the field of higher education, skills development and capacity building, especially in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) and IT sectors.
He was addressing an event to mark 59 years of capacity building partnership between India and Sri Lanka through the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC). The event was organised by the High Commission of India in Colombo.
Dr Raghavan and Deputy High Commissioner Dr Satyanjal Pandey, graced the occasion as chief guest and guest of honour. The event was attended by over 100 participants, which included ITEC alumni from Sri Lanka, officials and professionals from diverse sectors who have participated in various training courses in India under ITEC programmes.
Dr Raghavan appreciated India offering ITEC slots and annual scholarships to Lankan nationals, and thanked India for the financial support extended in recent months.
He encouraged the beneficiaries of ITEC programmes to contribute not only to the development of Sri Lanka but also to take the India-Sri Lanka relationship to the next level.
The Deputy High Commissioner noted the enormous interest shown by Lankan officials for the ITEC programme over the years and highlighted India’s endeavour to help Sri Lanka in the education sector, including in higher education, through partnership between higher education institutes in India and Sri Lanka, besides the current 402 ITEC slots annually.
The Deputy High Commissioner reiterated that India is guided by the philosophy of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ which means ‘the world is one family’ and India would continue to be in the forefront of capacity building programmes for Sri Lanka.
ITEC is a flagship programme of the Government of India launched in September 1964 for extending technical assistance and building capacities of developing countries.
Sri Lanka is currently allotted 402 training slots annually for the ITEC programme. ‘ITEC Day’ is celebrated every year by Indian diplomatic Missions all over the world to mark this unique pillar of SouthSouth partnership.