Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh and Chancellor of the University of Bath, has emphasised the significance of collaboration between India and the United Kingdom in higher education, stating that such partnerships would be mutually beneficial.
During his meeting with Maharashtra Governor C P Radhakrishnan at Raj Bhavan on Sunday, Prince Edward highlighted the potential for enhanced academic cooperation, particularly in vocational education and training. He underscored the importance of learning beyond the classroom, noting that practical skills and experiential education play a crucial role in shaping individuals for the workforce.
The discussion also touched upon broader aspects of India-UK relations, including trade, sports, and cultural exchanges. Prince Edward commended India’s rapid growth in sports such as cricket and badminton and mentioned his attendance at the toss for the India-England T20 match in Mumbai later in the evening.
Governor Radhakrishnan welcomed Prince Edward to the state, remarking that India and the UK, as two of the world’s leading democracies, share deep-rooted ties. He noted that Indian students find it relatively easy to adapt to the UK’s education system and that fostering institutional collaborations between universities in both countries could be highly beneficial.
The Governor also highlighted areas for potential cooperation beyond education, including green energy, pharmaceuticals, and hospital management, acknowledging the UK’s advanced expertise in the latter. He further stated that Maharashtra’s universities would be encouraged to establish Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with British institutions to facilitate academic and research partnerships.
The discussions reaffirmed the commitment to strengthening ties between India and the UK across various sectors, with both sides expressing optimism about future collaborations in education and beyond.
British Deputy High Commissioner Harjinder Kang, Prince Edward’s private secretary Alex Potts, and John Nickel, head of the political and bilateral affairs department, were also present at the meeting.
