India a preferred destination of higher learning
India has been one of the largest trading partners of Botswana in the diamond mining sector with bilateral trade shooting up to close to US$ 1 billion over the many years.
India’s High Commissioner to Botswana Dr. Rajesh Ranjan pointed out that the bond of friendship between the two countries which dates back to Botswana’s independence in 1966 has continued to flourish.
He said that Indian companies have set up diamond cutting and polishing units in Botswana thereby skilling Batswana and assisting the local economy in the process by providing employment.
Speaking Saturday and Sunday to commemorate the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation ( IETC) Day Dr. Ranjan mentioned that thousands of Batswana have benefited from the scholarships offered by the Government of India under the ITEC, India Council for Cultural Relations and others. These Batswana have returned with a deeper understanding of India and Indian culture and work as a bridge between the countries. The Indian envoy said these young men and women are the real ambassadors of the country because they have projected the culture of Botswana and India.
Dr. Ranjan indicated that like Botswana, India has also been battered by Covid 19 pandemic but instead of folding its arms has awoken to the reality of developing multiple supply chains and technology. He said that India does not only promote one of the most competitive education frameworks, but that its universities also provide homely environment for international students.
The high commissioner used the occasion of the IEC Day to invite Batswana to take advantage of the “affordable cost of Indian education system and to consider India as a preferred destination for higher studies”.
The Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation ( ITEC) Programme was instituted by a decision of the Indian Cabinet on 15 September 1964 as a bilateral programme of assistance of the Government of India.
The decision regarding setting up the ITEC programme was predicated on the underlying belief that “it was necessary to establish relations of mutual concern and inter- dependence based not only on commonly held ideals and aspirations, but also on solid economic foundations. Technical and economic cooperation was considered to be one of the essential functions of an integrated and imaginative foreign policy.
Also present at the celebration at India House along the North Ring Road in Gaborone’s Extension 11 suburbs was Minister for Presidential Affairs, Governance and Public Administration Kabo Morwaeng who hailed ITEC as India’s flagship programme through which India passes knowledge and shares skills, experience and technologies with the developing countries.
ITEC Alumni was also present to share their experiences of India.