The team of 20 member journalists from 10 ASEAN countries – namely Malaysia, Cambodia, Brunei, Indonesia, Laos, Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam, Myanmar and Phillipines – who are on a three day visit to Assam arrived the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati campus om Monday afternoon.
Also read: Open consulates of all ASEAN countries in Guwahati, Sonowal to Sushma
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They were welcomed with traditional Assamese gamochas by the Director, IIT-Guwahati, Prof Gautam Biswas at his office conference hall.
Later in an interaction, Prof Biswas gave a lucid but brief account of the history of IIT Guwahati and the activities carried out by the premier institution.
Prof Swarup Nandan Bora, Dean, Students Affairs; Prof Rakhi Chaturvedi, Dean, External Relations briefed the delegation about various activities undertaken by the IIT-Guwahati in spreading quality education.
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The 20-member delegation comprising 13 women journalists taking part in the discussion enquired about possibility of the enrolment of ASEAN countries students in this premier institution and urged IIT authority to extend fruitful help to the ASEAN countries for spreading of technology and service related knowledge and skill.
Prof Biswas and the other professors urged the delegation to raise the issue in their respective countries and assured that IIT-Guwahati will gladly accept any tie-up proposal from their technical institutions.
“Till now five countries have examination centres (in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Singapore and Dubai) for India’s Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) – the screening test for enrolment to IIT and other technical institution and if the Government of India decides more such centres can be opened in other ASEAN countries,” Prof Biswas said.
The delegation was pleased at the warm hospitality of the IIT authority in general and the Government of Assam in particular and said that a positive message will be spread by them on their return to their countries about the similarities and mutual opportunities among Assam, the north-eastern India with the ASEAN countries.
They were unanimous in their views that Guwahati shall be the gateway to the ASEAN.
Direct connectivity to all ASEAN countries should be started soon and as per the wish of Assam Chief Minister all ASEAN countries shall open their Consulate in Guwahati for mutual gain in both economic (trade and commerce) and socio-educational sectors prosperity.
The delegation coming under aegis of Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India will wind-up their three-day visit on Tuesday and leave for New Delhi.