G-20 Education Working Group meeting in Chennai discusses collaboration in academic research

The first G20 Education Working Group meeting under India's Presidency has given a call to catalyze quality academic research collaborations across member nations to strengthen research and promote innovation.

Delegates at the meeting, which was held in Chennai on February 1-2, decided that the G20 will work together to develop a roadmap for enhancing knowledge creation and research.

The meeting was attended by 80 delegates from 30 countries, representatives from international organizations, and special invitees who brainstormed on how to improve technology-enabled learning by working with prominent universities throughout the world.

Delegates at the G20 Education Working Group discussed strategies for:

*Adoption of technology in education. * Making learning inclusive, qualitative & collaborative. * Bridging gaps in digital infrastructure, human infrastructure & administrative systems.

Speaking to the media after the two-day meeting concluded, the India Chair of the Working Group and Secretary Higher Education Sanjay Murthy stated that best practices in tech-related education in member countries were discussed in a "major way."

The two-day conclave saw comprehensive presentations by UNICEF and other International organizations. According to Murthy, members expressed their willingness to work towards the goals and the priorities including capacity building measures.

The meeting also covered in-depth topics related to the possibilities for everyone to pursue lifelong learning that are inclusive, equitable, relevant, and of high quality.

The Education Working Group will hold three further sessions before reaching a broad consensus at its last meeting, which is planned to take place in June of this year.

Speaking about the conference, Ministry of School Education Secretary Sanjay Kumar, informed the media that two topics, including how to improve literacy at the school level and the application of digital technology to advance education, were heavily discussed by the delegates who attended the meet.

He added that extensive discussion was had on the methods of education used in South Korea and Europe.

The meeting's conclusions would be documented and discussed further in the following gathering, which will take place in Punjab's Amritsar from March 15 to 17.

After their discussions on Day 1 of the Education Working Group, the G20 delegates visited the spectacular UNESCO World Heritage Site - Shore Temple and Five Chariots at Mahabalipuram.

They also attended programmes organised by the Indian Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR) and Tamil Nadu's Department of Art and Culture.