CHANDIGARH: The visiting Premier of British Columbia (Canada) Gordon Campbell Monday offered services to work together with the Punjab government in upgrading technical skills and knowledge through Experts' and Teachers' exchange programmes in the spheres of primary & secondary education, tele-medicine, bio-technology, nano-technology and information technology.

Campbell made this offer during the banquet speech at a dinner hosted by the Punjab Chief Minister Mr.Parkash Singh Badal in honour of visiting British Columbian delegation here last night. The delegation comprised eminent experts, scientists and teachers from various disciplines.  

Taking parts in the deliberations,Badal informed the delegations that Punjabis shared a special bonding with British Columbia-one of the most prosperous and advanced provinces in Canada.   Punjabis had a strong presence there and it was a matter of great satisfaction to observe that Punjabis had always contributed immensely towards the economic prosperity of the land of their adoption.

The Chief Minister said that like British Columbia under the leadership of Mr.Campbell, Punjab government had also laid emphasis on employment generation, infrastructure development, education and health services.

Badal solicited cooperation and support from Campbell for strengthening the Education network, Health care, Information Technology and exchange of scientific know-how. Mr.Badal suggested to start an exchange programme for teachers and students between two provinces, as Punjab government was committed to improve the standards of rural students in Science, Mathematics and the English language.  "In this regard, I look forward to secure the services of teachers from your province and country in upgrading the teaching skills of our teachers. We can jointly work on some programme of short term training to our teachers by the teachers from British Columbia ", said Mr.Badal.

As a follow up to the visiting Premier's offer, Mr.Don Avison, President Council of Universities British Columbia held an hour long meeting with Chief Minister's Media Advisor Mr. Harcharan Bains to discuss the details and scope of mutual cooperation between the governments of British Columbia and Punjab .

Bains also held a meeting with Ms Santra Schernl, an eminent educationist who accompanied the visiting Premier regarding the upgrading of education especially in pre and post secondary education for learners.

Prominent amongst others who were present on the occasion included Chief Secretary RI Singh, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister DS Guru, besides the delegation was represented by Chief of Staff Lara Dauphinee, Attorney General AG Wally Oppal, Minister of State Dave Mayer, Deputy Minister Economic Development Don Fast, Deputy Minister Advanced Education Laslie Wada, Senior Policy Advisor Advance Education Tegan Tang, Director Asia Pacific Unit Leonel Roldan-Flores and Coordinator Maneesh Nanda.