Speeches/Statements Ambassaador Suchitra Durai’s speech at ITEC/ICCR Scholars Day Reception on 28 February 2019

Ambassaador Suchitra Durai’s speech at ITEC/ICCR Scholars Day Reception on 28 February 2019

Ambassador’s Speech on the occasion of ITEC/ICCR Scholars Day Reception/Dinner on February 28, 2019

H.E. Gen. Tanasak Patimapragorn, Deputy Head of the National Council for Peace and Order & Chairman of the Special Advisory Committee to the Prime Minister

H.E. Ms. Duriya Amatavivat, Deputy Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education of Thailand

Distinguished guests, Ladies & Gentlemen

Let me begin by expressing my gratitude to H.E. Gen. Tanasak Patimapragorn and H.E. Ms. Duriya Amatavivat who represents Education Minister of Thailand for gracing this event. Without the excellent support extended by the Royal Thai Government, India-Thai academic and educational cooperation would not have reached the heights that they have. 

I would like to extend a warm welcome to ITEC and ICCR alumni and to our colleagues from the Thailand International Cooperation Agency, Royal Thai Armed Forces and Ministry of Defence, Royal Thai Police as well as Indian studies professors from various prestigious Thai universities. It is gracious of you to spare your valuable time to attend this annual reception where we try to bring together those who have availed scholarships granted by the Government of India to pursue various educational and training programs in India.

India’s vibrant and bilateral relationship with Thailand has traditionally had a strong educational component. Currently over six thousand students from Thailand are studying in various Indian schools and colleges.

Government of India has institutionalized the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) program in 1964. It is the flagship program of the Indian Government’s technical cooperation effort, not only because of its wide geographical coverage, but also for innovative forms of technical cooperation. 158 countries in Asia & the Pacific, Africa, Latin America & the Caribbean and East & Central Europe are our developmental partners. In more recent years, ITEC activities have also been associated with regional and Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic (BIMSTEC), Mekong-Ganga Cooperation (MGC). African Union (AU), Caribbean Community (CARICOM), World Trade Organization (WTO) and Indian Ocean Rim- Association for Regional Cooperation (IOR-ARC).

In 2018-19, we offered 46 scholarships to Thailand under the ITEC scheme. This includes additional ITEC slots for member countries of the Colombo Plan. Cumulatively over the past decade, over 600 officers from Thailand have attended various training programs in India under this scheme. In addition, through the defence training scheme under ITEC, more than 65 officials from Thai defence forces have undergone training in India since 1986. 

Separately, the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), an autonomous agency under the Ministry of External Affairs offers scholarships annually under 24 university scholarships in graduate, post graduate and doctoral program in a range of subjects including professional courses such as engineering, pharmacy, accountancy, business administration and management. Scholarships have also been provided for studies in Indian dance, music, painting, sculpture, etc.  

This year also marks the 150th Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. Thus, the Embassy is pleased to give all alumni a copy of Mahatma Gandhi’s auto-biography.

While I am the official Ambassador of India appointed by the Government of India, all ITEC and ICCR alumni are also Ambassadors of India and contribute greatly in further consolidation of our bilateral relations.

As in previous years, we look to this evening’s gathering to provide us an opportunity for an informal interaction with ITEC and ICCR alumni by promoting greater understanding between our peoples. We value your suggestions to improve our programs.     

I do hope this annual event would provide you yet another opportunity to refresh memories of your stay in India and to encourage your friends and family to look upon India as an attractive destination for both education and training.

Thank You.