While many feel knowledge is invaluable, it does create wealth; for 118 memoranda of understanding (MoUs) for partnership in higher education were signed on first day of International Conference of Academic Institutions (ICAI) at Pandit Deendayal Petroleum University (PDPU), Gandhinagar.

Wednesday saw Gujarat CM Narendra Modi inaugurate the ICAI meet, in presence of representatives from 145 international institutions of 56 countries. Fifty-two institutions from 14 states of India and 67 others from Gujarat participated in the event.

Modi hailed ICAI as the most important event of Vibrant Gujarat 2013. “India is the youngest country in the world with 65% of its population under 35 years of age. By 2020, the average Indian will be 28 or 29. This is a tremendous opportunity (for India) to supply skilled manpower to the world,” said Modi at the event. “We should plan all our future schemes and projects, focusing on the youth. We can equip ourselves with skills for creating workforce of the world. This conference is an honest effort in that direction.”

A host of international delegates spoke on the occasion about various subjects of higher education. They shared their experiences, views and case studies in seven seminars. Day One also saw discussion on building world-class institutions, internationalisation of higher education, excellence in research through internationalisation, and development of skill, building of innovation ecosystem and creating centre of excellence through institution-industry interface.