Higher Education: International Cooperation
10th March 2008
Dr. Francis: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what recent discussions he has had with the Foreign Secretary on improving higher education links with (a) Vietnam, (b) the People's Republic of China, (c) the Republic of South Africa and (d) Cuba; and if he will make a statement. [192016]
Bill Rammell: The Secretary of State regularly meets the Foreign Secretary and discusses a range of issues including higher education links between England/UK and other countries. The Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills has lead responsibility for the Prime Minister's Initiative for international education (PMI) which seeks to maintain the Unite Kingdom's position as a leader in international education. One of the major elements of the PMI is about enhancing and improving collaboration between UK educational institutions and those abroad and higher education plays a key role in this. China and Vietnam are priorities countries for PMI. I have today signed a Memorandum of Collaboration with my counterpart from Vietnam, the Vice Minister of Education and Training, The MoC signing reconfirms the UK Government's support for education co-operation with Vietnam.
The Department also supports a number of programmes to encourage collaboration between the UK and strategic partner countries These include the development of higher education links with China and South Africa.
