The Indian Embassy in Vietnam hosted an event for Vietnamese alumni of the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme, on December 18, marking the programme entering its 50th year (1964 - 2014).

Addressing the ceremony, Deputy Minister of Education and Trainning Bui Van Ga said Vietnam highly valued the two countries’ strategic partnership, which has provided momentum for speeding up cooperation in many sectors, particularly education.

Hundreds of Vietnamese students have benefitted from training courses in India and many of them are now contributing to the homeland’s development, he added.

The Deputy Minister voiced his hope for more support from India as well as better mutual understanding between the sides’ people.

ITEC programme is funded by the Government of India, offering training courses, both civilian and defence, in different educational centres in India, empowering them with professional skills and preparations for an increasingly globalised world.

Vietnam is among nations with the highest number of students receiving the programme’s scholarship. Since 2012, 400 Vietnamese students have furthered their study in numerous ITEC centres.-VNA