Making a strong case for US institutions of higher education to partner with those in India, the Minister for Human Resource Development said it is time that the US institutes of higher learning realise that the 'way to move forward in education is to come to India, to collaborate and set up institutions and reach out to people.'
He, however, added that India too has to 'reach out' and create an environment for US universities to set up base in the country.
"You have a higher education structure which is the envy of the world, it has been at the front of all knowledge creation.
"US has the best academics all over the world. It is time for you to reach out, collaborate with us because in that process you will participate in not just helping us solve our problems but helping us solve the problems of the world," he said at an event on India-US education opportunities organised by the Centre for Strategic and International Studies in Washington.
The day-long education summit on October 13, to be co-chaired by Sibal and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, will see participation by over 300 higher education leaders, government and private sector representatives.
Sibal pointed out that investing in the Indian education sector makes good economic sense for the US as the return on investment in India is much higher as compared to any other country.
"Your model that kids should fly across the Atlantic to go to Harvard, Stanford or Yale is not a good economic model because your investment per dollar gives you a very small return.
"The same investment in India in collaboration with an Indian institution will give you much higher return," Sibal said.
While only 100,000 Indian students are currently studying in the US, Sibal said India has over 200
Image: Kapil Sibal
Pakistan faces a very real threat: Hillary
Bihar: Hundreds march to demand land for AMU centre
India played without passion in England: Kapil
Property developers dole out festive freebies
GJM demands Rs 1,000 cr from Centre for quake-hit Darjeeling