§ Dr. TongeTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the decision to put the Higher Educational Links Scheme in Sudan out to international tender. [52250]
§ Clare ShortNo such decision has been made.
The Higher Education Links Programme aims to enhance the capacity of higher education in developing countries to contribute to the promotion of sustainable development. This is done through promoting collaboration between UK universities and similar institutions in developing countries. Sudan is one of 47 countries in which the programme currently operates.
DFID has recently agreed to extend the current Links Programme for a further year (up to 31 March 2003). We will shortly be developing proposals for a new long-term programme to operate from April 2003. This will reflect the evaluation of the current programme, our strategy for meeting the demand for knowledge and skills, and our policy on untying. We will be consulting the British Council, which manages the current programme, about these plans.