Bangkok: University of Mysore today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Thailand's Chulalongkorn University to facilitate joint research, curriculum development and exchange of students. The MoU was inked by Professor Pirom Kamolratanakul, President of Chulalongkorn University and Prof K S Rangappa, Vice-Chancellor of Mysore University. India's Ambassador to Thailand, Anil Wadhwa, who was also present, said strengthening cooperation in the education sector with important partner countries has been one of India's priorities.

This is part of our efforts to benefit from the various centres of excellence around the world and contribute to the global knowledge pool, Wadhwa said adding that the process had been greatly facilitated by the dramatic increase in the number of India's educational institutions. From 27 Universities in 1950, India today has more than 500 Universities and from 578 colleges in 1950, there are more than 30,000 colleges.

The envoy noted that the process of cooperation had been driven by the growing interest of the international community in the Indian education system.

Quality, India's diversified and vibrant culture and low cost of education are a few factors which made India's education sector popular, Wadhwa said. "Professional education and scientific research at our academic institutions are globally recognised as measuring up to the very best in the world," Wadhwa said, adding that India's diversified culture attracted foreign students to get a beyond the campus experience.

India and Thailand have a joint working group on education to help strengthen bilateral cooperation. More than 6,000 Thai students currently study at various educational institutions from school to colleges and universities. The Indian Embassy provides more than 125 scholarships annually under various schemes of the Government to help meritorious and other deserving candidates pursue their higher education interests.