Wednesday, June 14 2006 17:38 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: As a follow-up to HRD Minister Arjun Singh's visit to Saudi Arabia to strengthen academic ties between the two countries, a state-run educational consultancy agency has been asked to facilitate the placement of Saudi students in Indian universities.

Educational Consultant India Limited (Ed.CIL) has submitted a proposal with terms and conditions as well as the remuneration expected by it for assisting Saudi students to the Higher Education Ministry in Riyadh, HRD Ministry sources said.

During a meeting with Singh, Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz had announced 500 scholarships for Saudi students to pursue higher studies in India and Riyadh is currently shortlisting prominent Indian universities where its students could study, they said.

The tentative short-listing of the universities by the Saudis was done on the basis on star ratings given by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC).

The Indian delegation also suggested to Saudi authorities that Ed.CIL should be given permission to organise road shows and exhibitions in various cities in Saudi Arabia in which prominent universities and higher education institutions might also participate, the sources said.

The sources said the General Supervisor of the King Abdul Aziz Library, Faisal bin Abdur Rahman bin Moammar, is likely to visit Delhi soon to inspect a site for setting up a world-class library in India, a proposal brought up by the Saudi King during Singh's visit.

King Abdullah renewed his personal commitment for opening a world-class library in India, the third such facility to be set up by the Saudis after the establishment of libraries in China and Malaysia. The king was keen that the proposed library be set up as a multi-purpose cultural and social centre and not as a library.

The king also referred to a proposal to set up a science university that would draw faculty from friendly countries and Singh offered India's 'excellent scientific talent' for this.

A delegation of the Saudi National Accreditation Commission could also visit India for discussions with the Association of Indian Universities and Medical Council of India to resolve the problem of recognition of medical degrees awarded by India.

It was noted that the MD degree held by Indian doctors working in Saudi Arabia was considered equivalent only to the MD degree offered by Egyptian universities. This was adversely affecting the prospects of Indian doctors working in Saudi Arabia, the sources said.

Besides renewing India's support to Saudi Arabia for setting up an ICT Centre of excellence in that country, Singh also announced the opening of an All India Engineering Entrance Examination (AIEEE) centre in Riyadh and the opening of more branches of the National Institute of Open Schooling there.

Singh, who also visited Dubai, announced the setting up of an Arab Cultural Centre at Jamia Milia University to foster the historical ties between India and Arab nations.

The centre will be fully funded by the University Grants Commission.