High Level Indian Delegation Visit SRUC Oatridge to Discuss Agricultural Education and More

The group, who were on a study tour in Scotland, included the Minister of Higher Education of the State of Karnataka and senior advisors to the Education Ministers of the states of Gujarat and Andhra Paredesh. They met senior staff from Scotland’s Rural College.  

All three Indian states are in the process of educational reform and on their visit to SRUC the delegation were interested in the provision of learning, teaching and research in Agriculture. Their visit also offered the opportunity to discuss areas of further collaboration between India and the college.

The Scottish model offered by SRUC combines education, from basic craft skills through to Diploma, Honours Degree and PhD with applied research and consultancy services for rural communities across the country.

Meeting the visitors were representatives across the College divisions including Professor Bob Rees, Head of SRUC’s Carbon Management Centre, Professor Andrew Peters, Assistant Principal International, David James, Assistant Principal – Head of Education Division and Hannah Earle Payne, Programme Team Leader – Agriculture SRUC Oatridge. The group was accompanied by Rittika Parruck, British Council India, and Lucy Young, British Council Scotland.

After the visit Professor Andrew Peters, who leads SRUC’s international programme commented:

“We were delighted to host the Minister at Oatridge and showcase some of SRUC’s key activities in education and research including our international reach. As one of the recently emerging economies agricultural productivity is proving key to India’s economic growth. This meeting was exciting for us because it offers real possibilities to develop further collaborations in Indian agriculture. We see real opportunities across the spectrum in education research and consultancy”

The International representatives were part of a delegation invited north by Education Scotland following the Education World Forum in London at the end of January. They learned about Scotland’s education policy and practice across schools, colleges and universities. In addition to agriculture the delegation discussed Aerospace, Curriculum Reform and Teacher Training.

Before visiting SRUC Oatridge the group met Cabinet Secretary for Education and Life Long Learning Angela Constance MSP and Alasdair Allan SP, the Minister for Learning, Science and Scotland’s Languages. They received briefings from Education Scotland, Universities Scotland and attended a reception with a wide range of institutions with an interest in India.