In presence of the visiting Israeli President Reuven Rivlin and Prakash Javadekar, the union minister for HRD, S.P. Mandali’s Welingkar Institute of Management Development and Research (WeSchool) signed two MoUs with Israel’s University of Haifa and IDC Herzliya, this Thursday at Taj Palace, New Delhi.
Speaking on the occasion President Reuven Rivlin highlighted the need of excellence and quality in research along with the need of modern facilities and international collaborations. Pointing out the growing number of Indian scholars in Israel he said almost 10 percent of the foreign students in Israel are Indians. Tel Aviv University, even offers Marathi classes. He said the signed agreements marked a new step in the growing partnership between the two countries. The two countries inked pledges of cooperation in fields of study: Technology, Agriculture, Archaeology, Biology, and many more. These include exchanges at all levels: from students to senior faculty members. It reflected the strong belief two nations have in their relationship and it’s being good for both.
The union minister for HRD Prakash Javadekar said the signing of MoUs was just the beginning. Expressing his solidarity with the spirit guiding the collaborations, he said he would ensure that things work out effectively. Also, he mentioned that every time he had been to the country (Israel) he was mighty impressed by their zeal for excellence in research, innovation and entrepreneurship.
During the signing of MoUs, Welingkar was represented by Adv. SK. Jain, Chairman, Managing Council, S P Mandali Trust and Prof. Dr. Uday Salunkhe, Group Director, WeSchool. The University of Haifa was represented by Prof. Ron Robin-President, Prof. Gustavo Mesch- Rector and Prof Soshi Zalka. IDC Herzliya was represented by Prof. Uriel Reichman-President.
Adv. S K. Jain Chairman, expressing his sentiments said he was happy to see the academia from both the countries collaborating and hence giving a more defined and effective shape to the cordiality between the two nations.” Dr. Uday Salunkhe sharing his thoughts on the same, said, “Living in an era of globalization, with opportunities we share some common concerns too. It will be prudential to join hands, gaining from each other’s strength and deal with these.”
The agreement with the University of Haifa paves way for academic collaboration, streamlining the exchange of scholars, joint research projects, joint teaching and supervision of students, participation in workshops and conferences. The focus remains on giving students the best and relevant global exposure.
The MoU with IDC Herzliya has at its heart the entrepreneurship, innovation and boosting the start- up ecosystem. The years to come will definitely witness and increased demands of the same. The agreements bring together talent from the two nations with best of the facilities accorded to them from both the nations.
The by- invite-only audience had Presidents of four well respected Israeli Universities. These included Tel- Aviv University, Hebrew University, Ben Gurion University of the Negev and IDC Herzliya. Also present on the occasion were, Rectors from a few other universities, a 15-member education delegation, Israeli Higher Education Council, equivalent of India’s University Grants Commission and Yafa Zilbershatz, Chairperson- Committee for Budgets and Planning, Ministry of Education, Israel.
On the Indian side, UGC’s Chairperson Dr. Ved Prakash and Vice Chancellors, Directors and Deans from some of the very well respected institutions were present during the ceremony.
It has to be recalled that last year Welingkar had signed MoUs for academic cooperation with the three above mentioned universities, streamlining exchange of faculty and researchers, joint research programs, and training.
India and Israel have shared warm diplomatic relations for almost two and half decades. Israel is not only India’s partner in countering terror but also has pledged support to its ‘Make in India’ campaign. The two nations have already signed a number of agreements in the space of water resource management, agriculture. Israel also supports India’s claim for permanent seat in UN Security Council.
Welingkar had last year signed MoUs with three other Israeli universities which included -Tel-Aviv University, Ben Gurion University of the Negev and IDC Herzliya.
