"Nations and civilizations are built only on highest educational standards. We are living in an age of rapid developments day in and day out. New inventions and explosion of technology are the things we need to imbibe in us. If we need to lead than the best investment is in education," said Zafar Sareshwala, Chancellor of Maulana Azad National Urdu University, India, at the NRI community of Aseer Region organized Educational Meet at Abha Palace Hotel here. Sareshwala, the chief guest in his keynote speech said: "In this technological advanced world, global cooperation for higher education between nations is very important." He pointed out the recent visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Saudi Arabia and said it plays a significant role in strengthening bilateral educational cooperation between India and Saudi Arabia. He said: "Many universities in India are well-known for their academic credentials. Mutual cooperation and exchange programs between these universities and Saudi universities can bring fruitful results." He also said: "Saudi universities are great place of learning with the most ultra-modern infrastructure. In this respect, Maulana Azad National Urdu University is ready to start any kind of educational cooperation and exchange program with Saudi universities." Prior to the Educational Meet, Indian Community of Abha met Sareshwala and urged him to help them to establish an Indian Embassy School in Abha. On their request during his speech, Sareshwala said: "Establishing an Indian Embassy School in Abha is the primary need of Indians." He also said that he will talk to the concerned authorities in this regard and he will not leave any stone unturned to bring the embassy school in Abha. Presiding over the "Educational Meet", Dr. Abdullah Al-Melhi, dean, faculty of languages & translation, King Khalid University (KKU) Abha, said: The development of nations depends heavily on education. He praised the idea of organizing the "Education Meet". He said: "Educational cooperation between the Faculty of Languages and Translation at KKU and the Indian universities can be enhanced especially in the area of teaching English as a foreign language." Applauding the Indian teachers at Faculty of Languages & Translation, KKU, Dr. Al-Melhi said: "Their contribution to our faculty is evident. This is the reason I am attending this Educational Meet. I really feel that their children need proper and high-quality education. Therefore, I think that there should be a high-quality Indian embassy school in Abha for Indian children." Mohsin Raza Khan, program director, said: "The aim of the Educational Meet" was to seek the possibilities for the educational exchange program and cooperation between Indian and Saudi Arabian universities. Khan said: "The Meet was organized in the context of the recent visit of Modi to Saudi Arabia and the joint statement signed between Prime Minister of India and Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman." Referring to the joint statement, he said that the Joint Statement mentions: "The two leaders agreed to strengthen cooperation between educational institutions, universities and higher research institutions of the two countries". And "Both leaders emphasized the importance of continued promotion of scientific and technological collaboration..........." Khan made a detailed presentation on the educational cooperation between India and Saudi Arabia. In his presentation he discussed the strong bilateral relation between the two countries in reference to education. He introduced the historical importance and perspective of education and its impact on Muslim community. He explored the possibilities of exchange program between Saudi universities and Indian universities. Dr. Fahad Al-Ahmari, dean of e-learning deanship, King Khalid University, Abha, was the guest of honour. In his speech, he said that the world has been experiencing technological development day by day. That's why we should focus more on virtual/ online education. He praised the initiatives of Indian community by organizing the educational meet. The Meet was anchored by Dr. Mohammad Asif. Dr. Irshad Ahmed welcomed the guests. Javed Ahmed gave vote of thanks. The program was attended by a large number of Indian community members. After the Educational Meet, Zafar Sareshwala, met Prince Faisal Bin Khalid, Emir of Asir region. Prince welcomed Sareshwala and his accompanying delegation in his office at the Emarah. Sareshwala discussed with the prince about cooperation between educational institutions, universities and scientific research institutes of the two countries. Sareshwala also presented a memento to Prince Faisal.
