Odishatv Bureau
New Delhi: Observing that capacity augmentation in the field of higher education cannot be achieved without approval of key pending legislations, government today expressed hope that Opposition will support their passage in the winter session of Parliament.

Referring to the Accreditation Bill, the Unfair Practices Bills and the Foreign Education Providers Bill, HRD Minister Kapil Sibal said roping in private and foreign players to set up universities and colleges would remain unfulfilled unless these Bills are cleared.

"I believe and I hope that in the winter session, the Opposition will support us in passage of these bills," he told reporters on the sidelines of a function here.

The government alone cannot meet the demands in higher education sector as 45 million students are expected to go to universities by 2020 when gross enrolment ration would touch 30 per cent, he said.

Earlier, he had regretted that opposition parties were not allowing discussion on these bills despite being cleared by the Parliament standing committee which comprises members from across parties.

Inaugurating the first India-New Zealand education council meeting here, he said India will collaborate with them in the field of research and skill development along with various areas.

MoUs between Indian and New Zealand institutes were signed on the occasion.

Talking about the low-cost Aakash device, which Sibal showed to New Zealand?s Minister for Education, Skills and Employment Steven Joyce, he said the device will be provided to every student in the country in the coming five to seven years.

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