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Special event puts spotlight on transformative impact of capacity-building partnership
In the heart of Colombo, on September 27, 2023, an event was set to highlight a significant milestone in the arena of educational cooperation between India and Sri Lanka. The High Commission of India in Colombo took a pivotal role in organizing the ITEC Day Celebration, a commemoration of 59 years of a flourishing capacity-building partnership forged through the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC).
The significance of this collaboration, with its roots embedded deeply in mutual trust and respect, cannot be overstated. Over the past six decades, this partnership has thrived and evolved, adjusting to the changing dynamics of the world and the individual needs of both countries. And the ITEC Day stands as an annual reminder of this shared journey.
As the attendees, numbering over a hundred, took their seats, the air was thick with conversations about the past, present, and future of India-Sri Lanka relations. Among them were ITEC alumni from Sri Lanka, officials, and professionals—all beneficiaries of various training courses they undertook in India. Their stories of transformation, personal and professional growth, and the impact of their training in India resonated deeply among the participants.
With an august gathering, two distinguished personalities graced the event. Sri Lanka's State Minister of Higher Education Suren Raghavan was the Chief Guest, while India's Deputy High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka Satyanjal Pandey was the Guest of Honour.
Raghavan, taking the podium, began by reflecting on the deep-rooted relations between India and Sri Lanka—a bond forged in history, culture, and shared aspirations. His admiration for India's space prowess was evident as he lauded the Chandrayaan-3 mission, India's ambitious lunar endeavor. Notably, he reserved special praise for the Indian women scientists at the helm of this mission—an applaud to the empowerment and progress of women in science.
India's generous assistance, manifested in its offering of ITEC slots, scholarships, and recent financial support, wasn’t lost on the Minister. He recognized and appreciated the lifelines extended during crucial times, helping Sri Lanka navigate through challenging economic waters.
He went on to shed light on the areas of potential expansion. Higher education stood out prominently, especially within the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) and IT sectors. He envisaged a future where Indian and Sri Lankan institutions collaborate more intimately, pooling resources and expertise to drive innovation and research. Beyond that, he hoped for a day when beneficiaries of the ITEC program would spearhead initiatives taking the India-Sri Lanka relationship to uncharted heights.
Following him, Deputy High Commissioner Pandey took center stage. He painted a vivid picture of the longstanding interest Sri Lanka has shown towards the ITEC program. Over the years, the Deputy High Commissioner revealed, countless Sri Lankan officials have undergone training in India, coming back enriched and better equipped to serve their nation.
Pandey emphasized India's resilient commitment to elevating Sri Lanka's educational sector. Highlighting existing partnerships between higher education institutes of both countries, he signaled India's intention to intensify these collaborations. He shared the Sanskrit phrase, 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam. Or ‘The world is one family’, which he reiterated, remains the guiding force behind India's outreach and support efforts, assuring that India would always be there for its Sri Lankan brethren.
One of the most poignant segments of the event saw senior officials recounting their ITEC experiences in India. From programs addressing Gender Responsive Governance to integrating Industry Four Dot Zero (4.0) in educational setups, the breadth of ITEC's offerings became evident. The stories shared were diverse, yet a common thread bound them— a vision for a better tomorrow.
Diving deeper into ITEC's history, this flagship program was launched by the Government of India in September 1964. It symbolized India's commitment to sharing knowledge, technical expertise, and skills with fellow developing nations. Over the years, it has been transformative. Over 200,000 individuals from 160 countries have been part of this journey, with Sri Lanka alone being allocated 402 annual training slots.
The ripple effect of the ITEC program goes beyond individual successes. Many alumni, upon returning to Sri Lanka, initiate community development projects. Some have set up schools in underserved regions, while others have led conservation efforts, drawing inspiration from their experiences in India. There’s also a notable push towards technological innovations, with returnees introducing digital solutions for local challenges, from healthcare to e-commerce.
Towards the end of the event, attendees were reminded that the ITEC Day isn't just a date on the calendar. Celebrated worldwide by Indian diplomatic missions, it represents hope, unity, and a commitment to collective growth. As participants exited, the essence of this unique South-South partnership lingered, promising more milestones in the enriching journey of India and Sri Lanka.
The significance of this collaboration, with its roots embedded deeply in mutual trust and respect, cannot be overstated. Over the past six decades, this partnership has thrived and evolved, adjusting to the changing dynamics of the world and the individual needs of both countries. And the ITEC Day stands as an annual reminder of this shared journey.
As the attendees, numbering over a hundred, took their seats, the air was thick with conversations about the past, present, and future of India-Sri Lanka relations. Among them were ITEC alumni from Sri Lanka, officials, and professionals—all beneficiaries of various training courses they undertook in India. Their stories of transformation, personal and professional growth, and the impact of their training in India resonated deeply among the participants.
With an august gathering, two distinguished personalities graced the event. Sri Lanka's State Minister of Higher Education Suren Raghavan was the Chief Guest, while India's Deputy High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka Satyanjal Pandey was the Guest of Honour.
Raghavan, taking the podium, began by reflecting on the deep-rooted relations between India and Sri Lanka—a bond forged in history, culture, and shared aspirations. His admiration for India's space prowess was evident as he lauded the Chandrayaan-3 mission, India's ambitious lunar endeavor. Notably, he reserved special praise for the Indian women scientists at the helm of this mission—an applaud to the empowerment and progress of women in science.
India's generous assistance, manifested in its offering of ITEC slots, scholarships, and recent financial support, wasn’t lost on the Minister. He recognized and appreciated the lifelines extended during crucial times, helping Sri Lanka navigate through challenging economic waters.
He went on to shed light on the areas of potential expansion. Higher education stood out prominently, especially within the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) and IT sectors. He envisaged a future where Indian and Sri Lankan institutions collaborate more intimately, pooling resources and expertise to drive innovation and research. Beyond that, he hoped for a day when beneficiaries of the ITEC program would spearhead initiatives taking the India-Sri Lanka relationship to uncharted heights.
Following him, Deputy High Commissioner Pandey took center stage. He painted a vivid picture of the longstanding interest Sri Lanka has shown towards the ITEC program. Over the years, the Deputy High Commissioner revealed, countless Sri Lankan officials have undergone training in India, coming back enriched and better equipped to serve their nation.
Pandey emphasized India's resilient commitment to elevating Sri Lanka's educational sector. Highlighting existing partnerships between higher education institutes of both countries, he signaled India's intention to intensify these collaborations. He shared the Sanskrit phrase, 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam. Or ‘The world is one family’, which he reiterated, remains the guiding force behind India's outreach and support efforts, assuring that India would always be there for its Sri Lankan brethren.
One of the most poignant segments of the event saw senior officials recounting their ITEC experiences in India. From programs addressing Gender Responsive Governance to integrating Industry Four Dot Zero (4.0) in educational setups, the breadth of ITEC's offerings became evident. The stories shared were diverse, yet a common thread bound them— a vision for a better tomorrow.
Diving deeper into ITEC's history, this flagship program was launched by the Government of India in September 1964. It symbolized India's commitment to sharing knowledge, technical expertise, and skills with fellow developing nations. Over the years, it has been transformative. Over 200,000 individuals from 160 countries have been part of this journey, with Sri Lanka alone being allocated 402 annual training slots.
The ripple effect of the ITEC program goes beyond individual successes. Many alumni, upon returning to Sri Lanka, initiate community development projects. Some have set up schools in underserved regions, while others have led conservation efforts, drawing inspiration from their experiences in India. There’s also a notable push towards technological innovations, with returnees introducing digital solutions for local challenges, from healthcare to e-commerce.
Towards the end of the event, attendees were reminded that the ITEC Day isn't just a date on the calendar. Celebrated worldwide by Indian diplomatic missions, it represents hope, unity, and a commitment to collective growth. As participants exited, the essence of this unique South-South partnership lingered, promising more milestones in the enriching journey of India and Sri Lanka.
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