Canadian universities invest in India

Canadian university presidents announce over $4 million investment in India-specific initiatives

OTTAWA, Nov. 9 /CNW/ - As a sign of their commitment to engaging with India, Canadian universities announced today in New Delhi funding for a series of India-specific initiatives valued at over $4 million. These investments include the new Globalink Canada-India Graduate Fellowship Program, new scholarships for Indian students, and institutional partnerships funds.

The announcement came at a roundtable for Canadian and Indian university presidents in the presence of the Honourable Gary Goodyear, Canada's Minister of State (Science and Technology) and India's Minister of Human Resource Development, the Honourable Kapil Sibal. This event is part of the historic Canadian university mission to India designed to forge mutually beneficial links between Canada and India - 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.

"We all recognize the importance of a deeper engagement with India, for the individual Canadian universities that form this delegation, and also more broadly for the entire Canadian higher education sector," said Stephen J. Toope, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of British Columbia in making the announcement on behalf of the delegation. "The mission has been an effective catalyst, inspiring universities across Canada to create new awards for Indian students and form new partnerships with Indian universities and institutes."

"Thanks to the leadership of our government, the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada and its member institutions, Canada is becoming a destination of choice for international research talent," said Minister of State Goodyear. "We will continue to vigorously pursue the tremendous opportunities for scientists and businesses to conduct research and invest in innovation in Canada."

The centrepiece of the package announced today is the Globalink Canada-India Graduate Fellowship Program which will provide up to 51 awards valued at more than $3.5 million for Indian students who have participated in the MITACS Globalink program in 2010, an initiative that brings Indian undergraduate students to Canada for summer research internships.

Eight Canadian universities - McMaster University, Simon Fraser University, The University of British Columbia, University of Ottawa, University of Toronto, University of Victoria, University of Waterloo and The University of Western Ontario - are providing funding for these new graduate fellowships.

The additional Canadian university investments in India come in the form of India-specific initiatives by participating universities including new scholarship programs for Indian students from The University of British Columbia, OCAD University, Queen's University, University of Regina, Royal Roads University, Saint Mary's University, Vancouver Island University and Wilfrid Laurier University, as well as funding for institutional partnerships for the University of Saskatchewan and the University of Manitoba. Details of the initiatives announced can be found in the backgrounder.

"These new investments are a concrete demonstration of Canadian universities' commitment to partnering with Indian universities and supporting Indian students in the spirit of international education," says AUCC President Paul Davidson. "Higher education is essential to the advancement of our participation in the global knowledge economy - both for Canada and India. This type of academic cooperation and mobility facilitates that progress."

Follow the AUCC mission to India on Twitter (@UA_magazine, hashtag #auccindia)
We are also live blogging the mission at www.aucc.ca/india

Background for Canadian University Announcements

For further information:

Robert White
Senior Policy Analyst
AUCC
613-563-3961 ext. 284
[email protected]