The Kerala State Higher Education Council (KSHEC) held preliminary discussions with Dirk Fröhling, general coordinator of the Indo-German Centre for Higher Education (IGCHE) and director of the Institute for Mechanical Engineering at Westfälische Hochschule, Germany, during the latter’s visit to the council office on Saturday.

The discussions focussed on exploring opportunities for strengthening academic and institutional linkages between higher education institutions in Keralam and those in Germany. The possibility of developing joint academic programmes was among the key areas discussed. The scope for promoting short-term programmes offered by Keralam’s higher education institutions among German universities under the IGCHE was also discussed.

The meeting also explored the possibility of developing an institutional framework involving the KSHEC and the IGCHE to facilitate sustained collaboration between universities and colleges in Keralam and those in Germany. Abida Farooqui, member secretary, KSHEC, led the discussions. Other officials of the council were present on the occasion.