Bhubaneswar, Aug. 5: Representatives of the British Council today expressed interest to be the state government's partner in the field of education and employment.

British Council in India director Alan Gemmell said they would implement a number of new projects in the state in the next few years.

"We are keen to be the state government's partner in skill development programmes, especially in the fields of manufacture, infrastructure building and construction," Gemmell said.

The British Council already has a visible presence in the state and supported a good number of projects in the higher education institutes. Researchers, academicians and students from the state have been visiting the United Kingdom for academic and research exchange through various scholarships such as Commonwealth and Chevening scholarships as well as the Newton Bhabha PhD programme.

Bhubaneswar continues to be a poplar destination for the UK varsities and a range of education events, including seminars, debates and quizzes are held in the city on a regular basis.

Earlier this year, students of three UK universities - Cardiff University, University of the Highlands and Islands, Scotland, and BPP University, London - visited several institutions in the city to promote United Kingdom as a destination of choice. The council also conducts a series of student seminars in various schools and colleges from time to time. Over 10,000 people had appreciated William Shakespeare's Twelfth Night staged by Fieter Theatre, organised by the council in Bhubaneswar.

Gemmell also launched the "2017 UK-India Year of Culture" campaign in Bhubaneswar today. He emphasised the need to promote cultural exchanges and create educational opportunities for stronger ties between the state and the UK.

"This will be done through events and projects in 2017, with a wider aim to reach out to newer audiences, and will not be restricted to the metros. The UK-India 2017 will seek to challenge outdated perceptions of the UK with an inspiring programme that demonstrates the quality of contemporary British arts and culture," Gemmell said.