Hyderabad, Jan 24 (IANS): The Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU) has joined hands with the US Embassy in New Delhi to conduct a five-day training programme for English language teachers of madrassas.

The programme was inaugurated on Tuesday by M. Aslam Parvaiz, Vice Chancellor MANUU, at the Civil Services Coaching Academy at the University Campus here.

Luis Scott, a trainer with World Learning, a Washington based organisation, said the programme was a precursor to an online course that would start soon.

The Centre for Professional Development of Urdu Medium Teachers and Placement Cell, MANUU have extended cooperation in organising the training programme, said a statement from MANUU.

Parvaiz said that languages and cultures help people understand each other better. "English is the language of international communication which empowers the learners," he said.

Eighteen English language teachers from madrassas in south and central India are taking part in the training programme.