15.3.2 As part of SAARC Calendar of Activities, 1995, the following Workshops were organised:

i) National Institute of Educational Planning and Administration (NIEPA) organised a SAARC Workshop on Decentralised Planning and management from 21-26 August, 1995 in New Delhi with representatives from SAARC countries;

ii) Directorate of Adult Education organised a SAARC Workshop on "The Role of Media Communication for Literacy, post literacy and Continuing Education" on 5-7 September, 1995 at New Delhi with representatives from SAARC countries:

iii) Prof. A. Palanivel, Reader, Central Institute of Vocational Education, Bhopal and Prof. J.P. Gupta, Secretary, All India Council for Technical Education represented India in the SAARC Workshop on Future Direction of Technical Education and Vocational Training held on 8-9 August, 1995 in Kathmandu, Nepal.

iv) Shri Inderjeet Khanna, Secretary, University Grants Commission represented India in the Expert Group meeting of G-15 countries on "Establishment of Centres of Education Excellence" held from 25-27 October, 1995 at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia;

v) The Following educational delegations visited India to understand the educational system of India:-

Educational delegation from South Africa had discussions on "Structure of Educational System" on 9 October, 1995;

- Educational delegation from Bangladesh had discussions on "Low Costs Schools" on 13 October, 1995;

- Japanese Researchers had discussions on "New Education Policy and Financial Structure, etc." on 18 October, 1995;

- Minister of Culture and Higher Education, Iran, who called on the Minister of Human Resource Development on 18 April 1995, discussed collaboration in the field of education:

- Vice-Chancellor, Hull University, United Kingdom called on Education Secretary on 16 may,, 1995 to explore the possibility of collaboration in the field of education between Hull University and its counterpart institutions in India:

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- A 5-member Delegation headed by the Chairman, State Education Commission of the People's Republic of China which visited India from 25 November to 02 December, 1995 held discussions with University Grants Commission (UGC), Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Association of Indian University (AIU), Bangalore University, Bangalore and the Indian Institute of Technology in Bombay besides visiting some schools in rural areas.

- A 7 member delegation led by H.E. Professor Amnon Rubinstein, Minister of Education & Culture, Government of Israel visited India from 17-24 January, 1996 and held discussions with Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), All India Council of Technical Education (AICTE), University Grants Commission, National Council for Educational Research & Training, New Delhi besides visiting Bloom Public School, New Delhi. The Delegation also visited Agra, Jaipur and Bombay.

- Three membered South African National Commission on Higher Education (NCHE) team visited India from 22nd February to 2nd March 1996. They held discussion with University Grants Commission (UGC), Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), Indian Institute of Technology. The delegation also visited Madras.

- A 6 member New Zealand delegation led by H.E. Mr. Roger McClay, Minister of Youth Affairs and Associate Minister of Education, Social Welfare and Pacific Island Affairs visited India during 8-17 March, 1996 and held discussions with the officials in this Department as well as Association of Indian Universities (AIU), National Council for Educational Research & Training (NCERT), National Institute of Educational Planning & Administration (NIEPA), Educational Consultant (Ed.CIL), Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), University Grants Commission (UGC), All India Council of Technical Education (AICTE). The delegation also visited Agra, Bharatpur, Bangalore and Madras.

Auroville Foundation

15.4.0 The Government of India took over the management of Auroville in 1980 under the Auroville (Emergency Provisions) Act 1980. For the purpose of encouraging, continuing further development and better management and consolidating the activities of Auroville. The Auroville Foundation Act, 1988 has been passed by Parliament and the Act has come into force w.e.f 28th September, 1988. According to the provisions of the Act, grants are paid by the Department to the Foundation for meeting the expenditure on

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the establishment, maintenance and development of Auroville with the following important components:

i) need for continuing education commencing from earliest stages of childhood:

ii) need for syntheses of knowledge and culture; and

iii) need to provide a stable base for all-round development of Auroville and surrounding villages.