December 19, 2002	Thursday	Shawwal 14, 1423

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ISLAMABAD, Dec 18: Japanese government is interested in initiating teachers and students training exchange programmes with Pakistan to strengthen cooperation in education sector, especially technical education.

This was stated by the Japanese ambassador, Minoru Shibuya, while talking to the federal education minister, Zubaida Jalal, at the education ministry on Wednesday.

The ambassador said the Japanese government was willing to offer a number of scholarships in different fields to Pakistani students and would soon start an assistance programme.

Issues relating to a $300 million grant offered by the Japanese government to supplement technical education in the country were also discussed during the meeting. Out of this amount, $40 million had already been extended for non-project assistance.

The Japanese government also offered support to Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) for its technical education programmes.

The minister said the education ministry had linked the poverty alleviation programme with technical education, in which the assistance from Japan had been a great source of help.

Mr Minoru said that his government was very much impressed by the reforms introduced by the ministry for uplift and betterment of basic educational systems in the country.