Look East through the prism of education

Prof Alaka Sarma

(Prof Alaka Sarma can be reached at alakasarma@gmail.com)

In the IT-enabled interconnected world today, Track II diplomacy acquires a lot of significance. In diplomatic parlance, track II diplomacy is known as ‘Back channel diplomacy’ or the interactions across the borders of the ‘non- state actors’. It refers to the practice of non-governmental informal and unofficial contacts and activities between private citizens or groups of individuals, including institutions. In the Act East Policy, track II diplomacy has a very significant role to play, and lots of efforts are made in the field of culture and trade, however, the educational sector which has a very large potential in linking people and in paving way for the success of cultural and trade based exchanges is not being explored.

An innovative and unique endeavour recently materialized, in Sylhet, Bangladesh. There was an international conclave of Vice-Chancellors and Directors from India’s Northeast and Northeast Bangladesh. The international conclave of Vice Chancellors, 2019 (ICVC2019) resolved, among other things, to make such conclaves an annual event and to spread the wings to other neighbouring countries, under the umbrella of ASEAN as well as Bhutan and Nepal. Both India and Bangladesh were represented by Central universities, state universities, advanced study centres under the ministry of Science and technology, NITs, as well as self-financed universities. The conclave took place in the beautiful campus of Shahjalal University, Sylhet on 6th April, 2019. It was graced by the Chairperson of Bangladesh University Grant Commission, Prof Abdul Mannan and Honourable Minister for Education Bangladesh, Smt Dipu Moni. Assistance High Commissioner of Bangladesh in Guwahati, Assam, Dr Tanvir Mansur facilitated the whole process and his role and enthusiasm was appreciated by all. The entire concept was conceived and set in motion by the Chancellor of USTM, Sri Mahbubul Hoque.

The ambience at the conclave was befitting a serious attempt at track II diplomatic endeavour. It was indeed a unique gathering. Vice Chancellors and Directors of India’s Northeast and the north-eastern Bangladesh on the same platform, deliberated on how to strengthen the interaction among the students fraternity and the academia and how to develop a regional perspective within the context of India and Bangladesh which can enrich and empower citizens of both nations.

The Theme of the conclave was Communication, Consensus, Collaboration. The North Eastern perspective of both India and Bangladesh came up through discussion. It was felt that, for academic exchanges, more often than not, the institutes in Bangladesh look up to the west, meaning west Bengal, and beyond, and hence the NE of India remains unexplored. The most resonating idea was that borders may divide us but technology, environment and problems created by Global warming, culture, climate and above all our consciousness unites us. We must build bridges and not walls. And that efforts made at the level of academia has great potential to complement the Governmental efforts. In fact, without this, the Government’s bilateral policies cannot be fructified.

Based on the deliberation, a Declaration was drafted, “ICVC2019..SUST declaration.” The declaration revolved around how to transform into action, the basic theme of the conclave; Communication, Consensus, Collaboration in the arena of Education. The need to make all efforts within the parameters outlined by the respective Governments, and to need to keep statutory bodies informed of all developments was vociferously articulated. The way forward would also include spreading wings to other neighbouring countries, ASEAN countries and Bhutan as well as Nepal, apart from NE of India and Bangladesh. Vice Chancellor of Gauhati University proposed that GU will host ICVC 2020. Vice-chancellors from Universities across South East Asian Nations, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal apart from India’s Northeast are expected to participate in ICVC2020. An international corridor based on education will contribute immensely to lasting peace and enhanced prosperity and brotherhood among the millenials.

Another notable highlight of the conclave was signing of a Memorandum of Association between, University Grant Commission, Bangladesh, and University of Science and Technology, Meghalaya. It was a historic moment, the highest body of a neighbouring country coming forward to enter into a MoU with a self-financed University of one of the states of India. One of the best examples of the effectiveness of efforts made under Track II diplomacy. It is hoped, the chain of events after this historic conclave, ICVC 2019, as well as the MoU will clearly identify the path that will define the ambit Act East policy, from the Prism of education, in the context of track II diplomacy.

As the members of Indian delegates interacted with entire gamut of people whom we came across, in Bangladesh, two very sharp and distinct revelations stuck their minds. One, everyone felt proud of being a citizen of Bangladesh. Two, everyone showed gratefulness for the role played by India and the people of India in their struggle for freedom. This, in itself can be a strong foundation for a mutually beneficial bilateral arrangement, and education can emerge as an axis around which the events can unfold. No doubt, it calls for lots of imagination, innovative ideas and strong will power. ICVC-2019 is like the first rays of the morning...It is hoped, that the morning shows the day.