Kathmandu, Dec 26 (IANS): More than 800 students from Nepal have benefited from short-term professional training courses in India, officials said here Thursday.

This was announced by the Indian embassy in Kathmandu in the presence of Nepal's Vice President Parmananda Jha.

India started the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) scholarship for Nepali students in 2000. The ITEC programme was launched in 1964 as a bilateral programme of assistance by the Indian government.

"The first batch of 12 Nepali ITEC participants went to India in the year 2000. Over the years, the number of seats allocated to Nepal under the ITEC programme has increased to 150 in 2013," said a statement by the Indian embassy.

Under the programme, Nepali students have been trained in Indian institutes in computer science, engineering, journalism, banking, legislation, remote sensing, education, women's empowerment, hydrology, law enforcement, business planning and accounts and finance.

India is willing to share its skills and experience according to geographical and developmental conditions and technological progress of developing countries, the embassy statement said.

India spends more than Rs.500 million annually on ITEC activities. Since 1964, India has provided $2 billion worth of technical assistance to developing countries, including its neighbours, under this programme.

Besides this scholarship, India is also extending 1,900 scholarships annually to Nepali students in medical, agriculture, science, law, arts, veterinary sciences, pharmacology and computer science courses at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

Since 2005-06, more than 15,500 Nepali students have been benefited from scholarships and training provided through the Indian embassy.