Wales in India: A global mission for culture and collaboration
08/03/2024The College is proud to have participated in a high-profile visit to India, as part of a Global Wales delegation of senior leaders from five further education institutions, to coincide with the launch of a year of âWales in Indiaâ.
The programme aims to strengthen the relationship between Wales and India, and help foster new trade and investment opportunities, champion cultural and sporting connections and cement academic and healthcare collaborations.
The year-long initiative was launched by the First Minister for Wales, Mark Drakeford in Londonâs Indian High Commission on 1 March, to coincide with St. Davidâs Day, followed by a launch in Mumbai, attended by the Minister for Health and Social Services Eluned Morgan.
The Welsh further education college delegation, part-funded by Taith, saw a week of partnership exploration and learning, with the delegation visiting the two Global Wales priority Indian states; Hyderabad and Karnataka.
Visits across the week included the Telangana State Government, the Karnataka State Higher Education Council and the Chief Secretary of the Karnataka Department for Skills Development, Entrepreneurship and Livelihoods. The delegation also visited a number of educational institutions, including the Karnataka Government Tool Room and Training Centre and the National Skill and Training Institute in Hyderabad.
âIt has been a real privilege to meet with so many officials, educators and students as part of the visit. It has been impressive to see the high level of technical and vocational excellence being delivered and the passion for learning that students have. The focus on vocational education, student wellbeing and the numbers of females undertaking technology and engineering subjects was inspiring.â
Joe Baldwin, Deputy Principal of Bridgend College
The visit to India concluded with a final âWales in Indiaâ launch celebration hosted in Bangaluru on Thursday evening, attended by the Global Wales delegation of colleges from Wales, along with the British Deputy High Commissioner for Karnataka and Kerala, Chandru Iyer and representatives from the Welsh Government and British Council.
