Canadian university presidents head to India

Largest-ever Canadian university mission aims to tap into strong demand for higher education

OTTAWA, Nov. 4 /CNW/ - The largest delegation of Canadian university presidents ever to travel abroad begins a seven-day mission in India on November 8.

The group will forge mutually beneficial links between Canada and one of the world's most dynamic economies. The visit is organized by the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC) and includes 15 presidents from universities across Canada.

Over the course of seven days, they will participate in a series of targeted meetings with Indian educators, government officials and business leaders. The first major event will be a roundtable of Canadian and Indian University presidents to be joined by the Honourable Gary Goodyear, Canada's Minister of State (Science and Technology) and India's Minister of Human Resource Development, the Honourable Kapil Sibal. Another key occasion will be the delegation's participation in the higher education summit organized by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry. They plan to return to Canada with deeper connections that will lead to creative cooperation agreements, and leave behind an enhanced profile of Canada as a key player in the global knowledge economy.

Canada has been moving aggressively in recent years to step up cooperation with India, and the two countries have signed agreements in a number of areas, including in higher education. There are enormous potential benefits in this sector, and the mission is a coordinated attempt to tap into that potential.

India, with over one billion people, is home to a growing middle class. This means that literally tens of millions of families are now in a position to offer their children a higher education. But even though the country recently decided to boost its higher education budget by about 40 per cent, the sector cannot grow fast enough to keep up with the demand. The research component at India's universities is also experiencing phenomenal growth, and India is on track to surpass the research capacity of each G8 country within the next decade.

The Canadian educators travelling to India in November will:

• foster the development of innovative research and cooperation agreements with institutions in India;
• raise the profile of Canada's higher education 'brand' in India;
• better understand the implications of India's new Foreign Education Providers Bill, legislation that sets ground rules for universities wanting to open campuses and grant degrees in India; and
• attract more Indian students to Canada.

"Strong universities help build strong societies. They also strengthen regional economies while enhancing a country's capacity to contribute to the world economy," says Stephen J. Toope, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of British Columbia and a member of the mission. "Canadian universities can build beneficial partnerships in India to create exceptional learning opportunities for students and research collaborations that improve our societies nationally and globally."

"In this age of globalization, it will be the formation of super-partnerships, rather than single superpowers, that will lead the way," adds Dr. Indira Samarasekera, President of the University of Alberta who is also joining the delegation for a portion of the mission. "With a focus on education, energy, and entrepreneurship, Canada and India can lay the foundations of a formidable super-partnership."

"We also want to raise Canada's profile," says AUCC President Paul Davidson. "And given the vast complex nature of the Indian market, this collective effort of Canadian universities is a necessary step to maximize impact there. We are not on the radar of most of the Indians thinking of studying abroad. They need to know Canada offers quality education in a rich learning and research environment."

"This mission is a way for us to get to know India and its needs more deeply - and to make sure that when Indians think of research and higher education, they think of us. Educators and business people in India need to know that Canadian universities are open to building successful partnerships that will enrich experiences for students, strengthen links between our countries and advance international research collaboration."

"Next year, 2011, has been designated Year of India in Canada," notes Mr. Rana Sarkar, President and CEO of the Canada-India Business Council. "As they get to know India better, we hope Canadians will recognize the breadth, depth and permanence of the economic changes happening there, as well as its potential. In that context, more cooperation can only benefit both countries."

Follow the mission on Twittter @UA_magazine (hashtag #auccindia)

We'll also be live blogging the mission at www.aucc.ca/india

For further information:

Robert White
AUCC
613-563-3961 ext. 284
or
613-884-8420 (cell)
[email protected]