Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi with pro vice-chancellor and faculty members of Curtin University at Khanapara in Guwahati on Monday. Picture by UB Photos
Guwahati, Feb. 16: The Assam government has entered into a collaborative partnership agreement with Curtin University, Australia, in an attempt to improve higher education in the state, particularly in the areas of technical education and research.
Chairing a meeting held at his official residence at Khanapara this morning, chief minister Tarun Gogoi has assured all possible support and co-operation from the state government to Curtin University to carry forward the collaborative and comprehensive studies in state's technical education and research sector.
Curtin was established in 1966 as the Western Australian Institute of Technology. It gained university status and was renamed Curtin University of Technology in 1987. In 2011 it became Curtin University. John Curtin, from whom the University takes its name, is widely considered to be one of the greatest leaders. He was the Prime Minister of Australia from 1941 to 1945.
Gogoi also advised the education department to leave no stone unturned to extend the parameters of the agreement in the areas of gap analysis, curriculum and other services to facilitate paradigm shift in the higher education sector. He also asked for incorporating agriculture and other natural resources within the ambit of the study to ensure the state's effort towards sustainable development.
Curtin University will work in collaboration with the state department of education and Assam Science and Technology University in developing and implementing the Washington Accord accredited programme to improve the level of technology, education and research in the state.
State education minister Sarat Barkotoky, additional chief secretary of the information technology and education department, Rajiv Kumar Bora, the vice-chancellor of Assam Science and Technology University, Pradyut Kumar Goswami and the pro-vice-chancellor of Curtin University, Andris Tales Stelbovis, were among those present at the meeting.
Sources said a 12-member team from Curtin University is in the city. The team members will visit Assam Engineering College and Jorhat Engineering College within a few days. Then the team will suggest measures to improve the engineering colleges of the state.