New Delhi: Human Resources Development Minister, Kapil Sibal, in his keynote address at the plenary session of world conference on Higher Education in Paris made clear that UPA government is keen to open up the education sector to foreign education providers and private players.

Mr. Sibal said higher education providers imparting cross- border education should ensure that their programmes are of comparable quality to that provided in their home country.

Knowing the tremendous potential of higher education, he warned, "We have to be very cautious regarding the entry of "diploma mills" and unscrupulous for profit providers"

Not allowing private players to become "teaching sweet- shops," Sibal pointed out to UNESCO to help its member state develop national standard of accreditation for benchmarking higher education.

He further said that the time has come to realize the importance of private sector in making investments in higher education. The huge gaps in higher education between regions and countries can not be reduced without the participation of private sector investments.

Discussing the matter in detail, Sibal put stress on three important elements which ignited the need for investments in quality higher education. The first being cross border manufacturing processes and global transactions in service sectors. The second has been technological revolution and third important development affecting our globe is awareness and need for action on global warming and climate change.

Higher Education must inculcate the values of sustainable development in the mind of our youth, the minister said.