20.3. In the field of Social Sciences, the Government made a contribution of Rs. 1,66,670 to the Unesco Research Centre on Social and Economic Development in Southern Asia for its operation during 1964. Since its transfer to Delhi, early in 1961, the Centre has broadened the scope of

108

its work and its research is now centred mainly on the theme of `the changing patterns of social structures and economic development in Southern Asia'.

20.4. In the field of Cultural Activities, India played host to the first meeting of the Regional Co-ordination Committee for the Reading Materials Project in South Asia. Besides India, representatives of Afghanistan,, Ceylon, Iran, Nepal, Pakistan and Thailand attended the meeting. The Government also participated in the international campaign launched by Unesco to save the monuments of Nubia, a precious cultural heritage of mankind, and offered a contribution of Rs. 28 lakh in the form of services, supplies and equipment of Indian origin over a seven-year period, 1963-69. Unesco has been requested to send an inventory of materials and services, required for the preservation work of the Abu Simbel temples to enable the Government to determine what it can supply and to take in hand the arrangements for procurement and shipment. A sum of Rs. 3.6 lakh has been provided for the purpose for 1963-64.

21. Fellowships under the Technical Assistance Programme.-Unesco offered 12 fellowships in science teaching, 8 fellowships in higher education and research in universities in applied mathematics, physics, geophysics, chemistry and botany, 2 fellowships in irrigation hydrology and silviculture and 10 fellowships in engineering and technology during the years 1963 and 1964 under the programme.

22. Fellowships under the United Nations Special Fund.-Three fellowships for 1963 have been offered to India in electronics, electrical instruments and optical instruments for the Central Scientific Instruments Organisation.

23. Assistance under the U.N. Expanded Programme of Technical Assistance.-Two Planning Missions of Scientists came to India under this programme during the period. They were as given below.

23.2. The Planning Mission for the Science Teaching Project of the National Institute of Education consisted of 10 Russian and American scientists. It was in response to a request made by the Government of India to Unesco for assistance in the promotion of a science teaching programme in secondary schools. Besides working out ways and means to improve the teaching of science in secondary schools, the Mission will formulate the working plan of the Departments of Science in the National Institute of Education and in the Regional Training Colleges, set up under the National Council of Educational Research and Training.

23.3. The Planning Mission, which consists of 9 Russian scientists, for the project of Centres of Advanced Studies set up in some selected universites at the suggestion of the University Grants Commission, is expected in India in January-February, 1964. The scientists will be attached to the Centres of Advanced Studies in Calcutta, Madras, Delhi and Osmania Universities.

24. Assistance under the Programme of Participation in the Activities of Member-States.-Under the programme, Unesco have offered assistance for some projects as follows :

(a) Services of Dr. Howard Heyden for a period of 3 months to advise on the development of the activities of the National Institute of Education.

109

(b) An expert in Museography for 6 months.

(d) Services of an expert in communications studies for a period of 2 months.

(e) Services of Mobile Microfilm Unit for 4 months.

(f) A grant, not exceeding $2880, for the award of 5 scholarships for studies at the Institute of Economic Growth, New Delhi, to candidates from Asian Countries.

25. Sixty-sixth Session of the Executive Board of Unesco.-The 66th Session of the Executive Board of Unesco was held at Paris from 25th September to 29th October, 1963. India was represented at the session by Shri P. N. Kirpal, Education Secretary, who was assisted by Shri B. N. Malhan, Deputy Secretary in the Ministry of Education. Smt. Indira Gandhi, Indian member of the Executive Board, could not attend the session due to pressing engagements at home. Among other deliberations, the Executive Board

(a) approved the proposals of the Director- General to resolve the problem of deficit in the Emergency Programme of Financial Aid to Member- States and Associate Members in Asia;

(b) declared its conviction that the monuments of Nubia which are to be preserved through the concerted efforts of the Government of the U.A.R., the States participating in the campaign and Unesco itself, will endure as a splendid memorial not only to the greatness of a civilisation but also to the reality and efficacy of the cultural solidarity of the nations;

(d) decided to refer the question of the study on measures to ensure a balanced geographical representation on the Executive Board to its Ad Hoc Committee for a more detailed study and close consideration; and

(e) outlined the bases on which the Director- General was to plan the programme and budget for 1965-66.

26. Regional Centre for the Training of Educational Planners, Administrators and Supervisors in Asia (Sponsored by Unesco).-The Regional Centre for the Training of Educational Planners, Administrators and Supervisors in Asia was set up by the Government of India, in collaboration with Unesco;

(1) to conduct short-term courses for the training of educational planners, administrators and supervisors in Asia;

(2) to conduct research problems connected with the educational planning and administration and school supervision; and

(3) to provide assistance on request to member- States of Unesco in the Asian region, through short missions of the staff of the Centre, either to advise on educational planning and administration or to conduct training courses at the national level.

Under the agreement between Unesco and the Government of India, Unesco assumes responsibility for reimbursement of expenditure on account of the salaries and allowances of the Director, Deputy Director, Assistant Director

110

and Finance Officer, and payment of honoraria to part-time lecturers. In addition, Unesco has made the services of two experts and interpreters available and has provided necessary equipment and books. Unesco also offers 16 fellowships for each training course conducted at the Centre, at the rate of one fellowship for each member-State other than India. All other expenditure is met by the Government of India.

26.2. The Centre has conducted so far three training courses, each of three months' duration, The particulars of the courses are as below.

(1) First Course for Educational Planners and Administrators (September 15-December 14, 1962).

(2) First Course for Educational Super-visors (December 22, 1962 March 21, 1963).

(3) Second Course for Educational Planners and Administrators (September 21-December 20, 1963).

The last course was attended by 23 participants from 9 Asian countries: Afghanistan, Ceylon, India, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, Nepal, the Philippines and Thailand.

27. Contributions to Unesco's Regular Budget for the Year 1963- 64.India's share to the regular budget for the two-year period 1963-64 has been assessed at Rs. 32,81,676.26 of which a sum of Rs. 16,40,838.13 was paid in 1963.