The meeting took place at the largest educational expo and conference the Asian Summit on Education and Skills (ASES) and DIDAC India 2022 in Bengaluru.  DIDAC India is organised by India Didactics Association (IDA), the only industry organization for education and skill sector in India, which is supported by the Union Ministry of Education, the NITI Aayog, the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and the Education World Forum, hosted by the Department of Higher Education of Government of Karnataka and supported by AICTE and NCERT. 

The Department of Higher Education of Government of Karnataka is searching for strengthening strategic partnership with universities in the United Kingdom for boosting higher education. Dr. CN Ashwath Narayan, Minister for Higher Education; IT and BT, Science and Technology; Skill Development, Entrepreneurship and & Livelihood, Government of Karnataka met with Professor Sir Steve Smith, UK Government International Education Champion, to strengthen relationships between universities in the UK and in Karnataka, in the spaces of research cooperation, joint degrees, twinning, and exchanges.

Speaking at the inaugural event, Dr. CN Ashwath Narayan said, Karnataka and the United Kingdom have had a great collaboration thus far. We look forward to now strengthening this collaboration in the education sector. 

DIDAC and ASES are playing an important role to promote peer learning among different countries and educational institutions which is critical for adopting best practices in education, he said. 

The summit is one of the best platforms to deliberate and find solutions to some of the pressing challenges in higher education, he added. 

The summit has education ministers and ministerial delegations from 15 countries, such as the UK, Brazil, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia and more, as well as education ministers from 10+ Indian states. 

More than 200 companies will be showcasing 4000+ solutions over the next two days. 

Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai was also present at the inaugural function of the centre.