The Hindu : National : Bertie Ahern pitches for joint IT initiatives with India

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Wednesday, Jan 18, 2006

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Bertie Ahern pitches for joint IT initiatives with India

Special Correspondent

Ireland's focus will be on both education and technology

— AP

IRELAND BECKONS: Ireland Prime Minister Bertie Ahern (left) with Karnataka Chief Minister Dharam Singh at the inauguration of the Global e-School and Communities Initiative (GeSCI) operations in India in Bangalore on Tuesday.

BANGALORE: Launching the Global e-School and Communities Initiative (GeSCI) in India, Ireland Prime Minister Bertie Ahern on Tuesday said India would be the focus of initiatives in education and technology combined.

Making a strong pitch for joint programmes, Mr. Ahern said Ireland was looking forward to programmes of mutual benefit. The GeSCI was one such. An initiative of the United Nations ICT Task Force, the GeSCI would draw lessons from Indian applications.

Pointing out that the two countries had historical linkages, Mr. Ahern said a number of Irish people settled down in India, adding value to the education system here. Ireland acknowledged the strengths of India. It could be a key R&D destination.

Presiding, Chief Minister N. Dharam Singh said his Government would extend support to education initiatives in Karnataka, which was a pioneer in privatisation of higher education. Information Technology helped in better governance and education was one area, which it favourably impacted. Karnataka had the largest pool of IT professionals and its educational institutions were providing the talent pool for the knowledge economy.

Karnataka initiatives

The Government had been making efforts, including through the midday meal programme, to check the dropout rate in schools. It had identified 11.40 lakh school dropouts and schemes were launched to ensure the growth of literacy. About Rs. 280 crore was being spent on various programmes to check the dropout rate.

Stephen Nolan, Executive Director, GeSCI, said the initiative aimed at raising the global standards of education and bridge the gaps in the field. The GeSCI would work with the stakeholders — the State, the Government of India, the corporate sector and end-users. It would be launched in 1,000 schools in Rajasthan.

Ireland, he said, recognised the power of education and made considerable investments in the sector.

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed by Nasscom (National Association of Software and Service Companies) president Kiran Karnik and Mr. Stephen Nolan for increasing IT penetration in India.

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