BICOM

Israel’s Education Minister Shai Piron visited London this week to further expand educational collaboration between Israel and the UK.

Piron was heading a delegation from Israel’s Ministry of Education and attended the World Educational Forum’s Global Summit for Education Ministers, held in London this week. Minister Piron met with his UK counterpart, Education Secretary Michael Gove and Minister for Universities and Science David Willets, commenting that the purpose of his visit was “to exchange ideas with British counterparts, share Israel’s plans and take back important lessons.” During his trip, Piron visited a variety of schools in and around London and expressed his hope that an exchange programme could be established between teachers in Israel and the UK.

Piron’s visit comes just a month after Michael Gove conducted an official visit to Israel, during which the two ministers signed a memorandum of understanding to boost cooperation between the two countries over English language studies. It paves the way for a five-year nationwide English teaching plan in Israel, developed by the British Council.

The agreement is a further example of growing academic cooperation between Israel and the UK. Last year, Foreign Secretary William Hague and Israel’s Minister for Science, Technology and Space Yaakov Peri signed a wide-ranging memorandum of understanding to boost scientific cooperation. In particular, they pledged to increase joint research projects in advanced materials and nano-technology, agri-sciences, neuroscience, space research and regenerative medicine.

Meanwhile,  Prime Minister David Cameron plans to make his first official visit to Israel next month.