We want to learn from India: Oxford vice chancellor

New Delhi: As the Indian economy continues to surge ahead, Oxford University Vice Chancellor John A Hood said on Monday that the institution wants to learn lessons from India's growth for a better world.

"Oxford University wants to learn the finer nuances of India's growth, its vibrant economy, the growing innovations and knowledge society," Hood told IANS.

"We want to learn lessons of India and tell the whole world and our students from across the globe how you guys have made it to the top," said the 56-year-old professor.

Hood is currently in India as part of British Prime Minister Gordon Brown's high-level delegation.

"The spectacular economic growth and the new generation's inclination towards innovation and success are things to be analysed, recorded and taught in classrooms," he said, adding that currently 260 Indian students are pursuing various courses at Oxford.

"Business developments like the Tata Steel-Corus and Vodafone-Hutch are very impressive. Tata Motors' new car Nano is a wonderful innovation not just for India but also for the whole world," Hood said.

India's economy is growing at a whopping nine per cent per annum, second only to China.

Hood said the association of India and Britain is historic and Oxford has many things related to India.

"We have a lot of valuable manuscripts, collection of art and artefacts and certainly the scholars from India are of immense importance to us," said Hood, a cricket enthusiast.

The professor said Oxford scholars would carry out research on various aspects of Indian economy and prepare case studies.

Advocating joint research between Indian varsities and their counterparts in Britain, Hood said the angel investment network unveiled by Brown would address some of the key issues in this front.

"Innovations and ideas will see a better light and am sure both countries can do a lot better in the fields of education and research. We are going to meet India's education minister and hope many things will spring from there as well," he said.

He said Oxford University would shortly enter the Indian market with short-term executive programmes.

"The atmosphere is conducive and the economic scenario is interesting here now," Hood said.