Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi attended the 13th BRICS Education Ministers’ Meeting in Bhubaneswar on August 7, 2026 . India chaired the meeting as part of its 2026 BRICS presidency.
The meeting included delegates from Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. Other participating nations were Indonesia, Iran, Ethiopia, and the United Arab Emirates. The gathering aimed to strengthen educational ties between member countries.
This event followed a senior officials' meeting on August 5, 2026. The meeting’s theme focused on resilience, innovation, cooperation, and sustainability in education. This approach aligns with India’s Prime Minister’s ‘humanity-first’ vision presented at a 2025 summit.
Key Areas for Educational Cooperation
The ministers discussed several priorities to improve learning and career prospects across BRICS nations.
Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE)
Emphasis was placed on enhancing foundational learning and early care for young children. This initiative seeks to establish better learning environments for the youngest learners.
Skill Development and TVET Alliance
The BRICS Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Cooperation Alliance was a key focus. The goal is to expand job-ready skills through vocational training programs.
Research, Innovation, and Start-ups
Discussions covered promoting joint scientific research and technology development. The meeting also encouraged student-led entrepreneurial start-ups.
Mutual Recognition of Qualifications (MRQ)
Ministers explored ways to facilitate the mutual recognition of academic and professional qualifications. This aims to simplify degree and diploma equivalencies among BRICS countries.
Academic Leadership
Training and developing strong leaders for higher education institutions was also on the agenda. The focus is on building world-class universities and colleges.
Bilateral Discussions with Iran
Minister Pralhad Joshi also met with Iran's Acting Minister of Science, Research and Technology, H.E. Prof. Masood Shams-Bakhsh. They discussed deepening cooperation between India and Iran.
The leaders plan to enhance student mobility for educational purposes. Joint research projects and the use of digital tools for learning are also priorities. These initiatives aim to empower youth and boost economic growth in both nations.
