The issue of student visa was also taken up at a discussion between Thomas and Science Minister Murli Manohar Joshi on October 25. Germany wanted to substantially increase the number of students visiting that country for research studies in the next five years, an official of the German Academic Exchange Programme said.

Though Germany cannot substantially increase the number of scholarships for Indian students due to limited funds, foreign students are not charged tuition fees in universities. They just have to pay for living expenses, the official said.

Germany has enormous shortage of professionalsin informatics and many higher branches of engineering for which a policy amendment has been made to allow foreign students to work in German Research Organisations for a few years after finishing higher studies, Thomas said.

Foreign students pursuing higher studies in Germany had to return to their countries earlier after finishing studies. The changed policy, which came into force two months ago, would help Indian researchers acquire research skills in reputed German institutions, Thomas said, adding, ``Students should be allowed to work without any bureaucratic hurdles,'' he said.

Under another policy, foreign scholars are allowed to pursue higher studies in Germany in English in 26 selected faculties, Thomas said. Earlier, they had to study in German.

Admitting that Indian students find universities in the United States more attractive for higher studies than German academic institutions, he said, ``We would like to show that this is not the reality.'' Though Germany is stronger than the UnitedStates in many fields like marine, chemical and materials engineering, micromechanics and laser technology, India, unlike China, is yet to take advantage of German expertise in these fields, he said.

A high-level German delegation comprising representatives from government, research institutions and the industry is on a visit to India to participate in the `Indo-German Technology Week' celebrations this week. The celebrations mark 25 years of co-operation in science and technology between the two countries.

The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) is holding a technology summit at Hyderabad on October 28 and 29 to focus on core German technologies.