Oslo Hosts the 7th India-Norway Joint Working Group on Education

The 7th India-Norway Joint Working Group on Education convened in Oslo on 18th November 2025, strengthening bilateral commitment to advancing educational cooperation between the two nations. The meeting brought together senior representatives from India and Norway to review progress, chart new directions, and reinforce mutual priorities in higher education and academic exchange.

Delegation Leadership and Participation

The Indian side was led by Ms. Archana Thakur, Joint Secretary of the University Grants Commission, representing India's Ministry of Education, while Tone Flood Strom, Head of Department for Higher Education, Research and International Affairs led the Norwegian side. Their presence highlighted the importance both countries attribute to structured policy dialogue and institutional engagement through the Joint Working Group mechanism.​

The Indian delegation also comprised officials from the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, CBSE, and NCERT, underlining the comprehensive scope of India’s educational engagement with Norway.

Major Areas of Discussion

Discussions centered on policies related to international cooperation in higher education, with particular attention to ongoing programs such as UTFORSK, INTPART, and INCP2. Both sides reviewed the progress of these programs, which foster academic mobility, joint research, and institutional partnerships.​

Both nations reaffirmed their commitment to expanding bilateral cooperation through existing initiatives and exploring new collaboration areas. The meeting included detailed discussions about supporting joint research projects, academic exchanges, and policy development, supported by the existing frameworks of the Inter-Governmental agreement signed in 2006.

Achievements and Progress

The meeting documented significant progress in academic partnerships, with multiple universities and research institutes connected under the India-Norway Cooperation Programme in Higher Education and Research. Recent projects have supported joint curriculum development, mutual training programs, and workshops fostering innovation and skill development, underpinning the long-term vision of the India-Norway educational relationship.​

Institutional Linkages and Capacity Building

Both sides expressed commitment to further strengthening institutional linkages, developing leadership training for academic and administrative personnel, and supporting dual/joint degree initiatives consistent with both countries' regulatory frameworks. The successful implementation of mutual exchange programs and collaborative academic ventures remains a central pillar of future cooperation.​