Indian and South Korean universities signed MOUs to boost student and educational exchanges in early January.

Professor Nah Yoon-jong, executive director of the International Ccoperation Division at Tongmyong University, signed MOUs with the leaders at two Indian universities ― Indian Institute of Technology and Amity University in Guwahati and Dehli, respectively. He also signed a letter of engagement with Banaras Hindu University.

The series of cooperation agreements between the centers of higher learning are in line with the “India-South Korea Joint Statement for Expansion of Strategic Partnership” that was issued during President Park Geun-hye’s state visit in India last month, including the expansion in cooperation in the education sector.

Nah signed the agreements during Park’s visit.

With the MOUs, South Korea and India aim not only to exchange faculty and students and hold joint educational programs but to also collaborate on educational projects, programs aimed at degree and employment, and university-industry cooperation projects, according to a press statement by the Indian Embassy here.

In addition to these four universities, a number of other educational institutions in India and South Korea have already started academic exchanges and established special programs, the embassy said in the press statement.

Around 2,500 South Koreans, including 1,500 schoolchildren, are studying English, information technology and management in India. Some 1,000 Indians are pursuing post-graduate and doctorate programs in South Korea, the embassy said.

By Philip Iglauer (ephilip2011@heraldcorp.com)