Canada
‘Indian students coming to Canada get the best of both worlds’
‘This experience is something that no classroom can teach you…’
By Sparsh Sharma
A group of 19 MBA students from Université Laval – located in Québec City in Canada, a city recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site – were on a study tour to India. This is the fourth time in five years that a team from the university came to India. Given their success in the previous years, the university decided to come back again this year.
The students travelled to different cities in India mainly to meet companies and promote their products and services and perfect their knowledge of India. The Canadian students represented 19 different companies in varied sectors like education, foods, manufacturing, IT, entertainment, beverages, etc.
Geneviève Marcotte, coordinator of the tour and a participant, answers some questions about the group’s visit:
How would the knowledge be useful to the group and the companies they represent?
GM: This experience is something that no classroom can teach you; after doing in-depth research before coming here and then meeting with your contacts on the field makes us realise the fruit of our labour, which is most certainly rewarding.
I believe that all students should take part in a trade mission like ours, as the experience shows you how small the world really is, and how accessible international markets are. International trade is important to both Canada and India. All the resources offered, in Canada and on the field here in India, were extremely useful for my future career of working in international business development as they were for all students involved in the study tour.
What was the methodology behind the study tour?
GM: Université Laval acts as a non-profit organisation that offers Canadian companies the opportunity to develop their international market. Our team is young, dynamic and benefits from accumulated knowledge of our 16 years of existence. Over 400 companies such as Bombardier, Maison Simons, Philips Lumec, etc. have already used our services. Our agents not only receive training from field experts but also work year-long to perfect their knowledge about the country abroad, its culture, economy, politics and language(s). Before getting into a trade mission like this, they do a market study to be sure about the best way to penetrate that particular market. It is a good opportunity for companies that desire to penetrate new markets and obtain professional, personalised service at an exceptionally competitive price. The University of Laval Commercial Missions is here to facilitate a period of transition to these new markets. From market potential evaluation to importation and exportation logistics, possible entry modes, technical representation as well as searching for distributors and clients, development agents, or the MBA students this time, worked three weeks in India to reach all goals of Canadian enterprise. Companies wanting to participate in our trade missions pay an amount which covers only cost for mission such as hotel, per diem and transport.
Would the products be marketed focusing on the Indian market?
GM: I think the business opportunity in India is immense but foreign companies must be very careful while entering this market. Though marketing is an important process in selling most products, the cultural challenges and political barriers are numerous. Obtaining permits can take long, finding the right distributor can be difficult and finding the right logistic strategy to make it all work is the key. Marketing will come once you have everything else in place, and if you have done all other things correctly, the publicity and advertisement will find results by itself with minimal effort.
Did your group’s impression about India change?
GM: It’s my second time in India and every time I discover a wonderful country with people wanting to learn more about us and teach a lot about their culture. It’s amazing. We thought India is a misinterpreted country: the advances that have been made, the technology available is impressive and the stereotype of ‘poor India’ is misleading. Businesses, especially small and medium enterprises (SMEs) all across the country, offer a wide range of high-quality products and services, and I think many people confuse lower production prices to lower quality. When you look at a giant like Tata, and all of the industries they are able to thrive in, it gives you a great example of the wide range of available knowledge, and its influence on the global scale.
Nader Daher: “India is a very sense-awakening place. Doing business here is a full human experience.”
Jonathan Bouvrette: “India brings a model of cooperation through open-mindedness”
Simon Lemay-Roux: “India is an incredible experience – business-wise as well as personally.”
Marie-Pier Michaud: “Canada and India are so different that every aspect of India becomes so impressive.”
SNDT signs MoU with UQAM
By Sparsh Sharma
Christiane Piche, the deputy minister of education, Quebéc province, Canada, was in Mumbai recently, leading a delegation to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Shreemati Nathibai Damodar Thackersey (SNDT) Women’s University and Université du Québec a Montréal (UQAM), Canada.
The former professor and pro-vice chancellor for research and academic affairs at Université Laval talked about the MoU and future tie-ups between Quebéc and Indian universities.
Tell us more about the SNDT MoU.
CP: While UQAM has a strong department for women studies with a 100 staff, SNDT too is a very strong institution and both have many things in common. So we decided to sign a MoU for large scale programmes on women’s studies as also student and scholar exchanges. The initial process had begun in the year 2008 and finally reached the MoU stage this year. The tie-up signifies a start in cooperation between the two entities, an exchange of professors is what is foreseen at present, after which, student exchanges, joint study programmes are likely to emerge in the course of time. Women’s studies and distance education are the two largest areas of study between the UQAM and SNDT. Given Québec and Canada’s large requirement for trained nurses, the nursing school of SNDT is likely to have more specific courses on nursing for training their students to be employable in the Canadian market.
Can Indian students expect some initiatives from Quebéc?
CP: We plan to encourage more Indian students to come, study and work in Quebéc. The tuition fee in our institutions is lesser compared to rest of North America. We offer 29 annual scholarships to Indian students that are worth CAD250,000. The selected students have to pay the same tuition fee as Quebéc students. More than 100 students apply each year for these scholarships through the Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute in Pondicherry. We are also in the process of announcing 9-12 new scholarships for Indian students.
“This is my first trip to India. I am proud of what leading academic institutions in India are doing. There are many common things, good infrastructure and the future looks promising for Quebéc-India university tie-ups.”
TIMELINE:
20th January 2006: Signing of the first cooperation agreement between Maharashtra and Québec, signed by Vilasrao Deshmukh (then chief minister) and Jean Charest, premier of Québec
31st January 2010: Creation of the first steering committee on cooperation between Québec and Maharashtra
30th January 2012: Creation of the second steering committee on cooperation and signing of the letter of intention on cooperation in health between Québec and Maharashtra, where companies from Québec will have access to the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) of the government of Maharashtra.
On the art front, Quebéc has created the first artists’ residence in Mumbai, where artists from Québec will be able to come over for a period of three-six months to work here. Selected Indian artists will go to Québec and work for short periods.
From 600 Indian students in Quebéc in 2010, there are approximately 800 students this year, with 53% doing their masters.
York University has over 300 corporate and internship partners
By Sparsh Sharma
Charmaine Courtis, executive director, student services and international relations, Schulich School of Business, York University, Toronto, Canada, was in India. HT Education caught up with her for an exclusive interview. Some excerpts:
Tell us about Schulich.
CC: It is the largest graduate school in Canada with 650 full-time and 450 part-time students. We offer 19 different specialisations. We are very flexible and students can opt for a bouquet of subjects. They can take classes for different subjects during the day or evening or the weekends. It is a program that suits your goal. The syllabus is same for the first year while in the second year, students can take up to two specialisations, for e.g. finance along with financial engineering or financial services or arts and media administration. The course can be completed in 16 months going straight through or in two years (latter includes a break for a three-month internship). The average age of our students is 28-29 years and their average work experience is five-six years. The acceptable range of GMAT scores is from 600 to 700+ but the average is 670. The female students’ population is 39% currently but we are working on increasing it.
We are very innovative and have a number of firsts like – specialised programs in entrepreneurial studies, MBA/JD (Juris Doctor) for lawyers, arts and media administration, nonprofit management, business sustainability, business ethics, real estate and infrastructure, health industry and public sector management. We launched a global mining management program in November 2011. We will officially open the school’s new Centre for Global Enterprise focused on the globalisation of small-to-medium-sized enterprises, soon. We have 75 partnerships with leading business management schools globally and more than 23,000 alumni living and working in over 90 countries.
What are the programs and specializations offered?
CC: Bachelor of business administration (BBA), international BBA(iBBA), master of business administration (MBA), international MBA, executive MBA, MBA/JD, master of fine arts, master of arts (MFA/MBA), MBA in India, master of public administration, master of finance (MF), and the PhD. Specialisations include the standard functional areas as well as many corporate sector areas accounting, economics, finance, marketing, operations management and information systems, organisation studies, strategic management. There is post-MBA diploma in advanced management, financial engineering diploma designed for those MBA grads who want to return for additional specializations and executive programs.
Are international tie-ups the new buzz word for universities in the West?
CC: Our school has a global orientation. Dean Dezso Horvath, a visionary, has led the school for 23 years and has always felt this was the direction to take the school. This global ethos is apparent in our programming and planning. We have several satellite centres internationally besides the main $100million facility in Toronto. We are running our India program with twinning partner SP Jain institute of management research in Mumbai and the third batch has started this January. It is good to see the program grow from an idea to reality. The students study in India for six months and in Toronto for the remaining duration. Seven years ago, we started hunting for places abroad and when it came to opening a campus in Asia, we chose India due to the growing middle-class population here, the limited availability and the high demand of top-level business schools, English being the language of instruction in most educational institutes and its use in official communication. GMR has offered to build us a campus near Hyderabad airport and will finish constructing it by 2013. We are hopeful that the government allows foreign universities to operate as standalone institutions by then. We will take our first class there for September 2013. The long term goal is to have as diverse a campus with students from several countries and tuition fees would be on the lines of that in the Toronto campus.
What are the part-time and full-time job opportunities for international students?
CC: There are several part-time jobs available on campus and in Canada. Students have to work on-campus for six months and can work off-campus after that for 20 hours per week. They can work as research or library assistant, parking attendant etc. on campus. There are internship opportunities for three-months during the program between first and second year, when they work full-time off campus. The average salary, post-MBA from Schulich, is CAD85,000 per annum in 2011. We have over 300 corporate and internship partners. Toronto, being the financial capital of Canada, salaries are higher there.
Moreover, we make students work on a mandatory strategy field study in their second year. They have to thoroughly study real companies, what areas they need to focus on to improve efficiency and net profits. Students give evidence for every conclusion they derive. Companies have been implementing those suggestions. This gives our students an edge and confidence to enter the corporate world. Canada is very open to educated people and gives work permits up to three-years, after which, students can apply for permanent residency, if they wish to continue living in the country.
Tell us more about the different rankings.
CC: We are among the top B-schools in the world. We have been ranked No. 2 in the Apen Institutes Grey Pinstripes for corporate social responsibility and business and sustainability, No. 9 globally in The Economist ranking and No. 11 globally in the Financial Times of London Executive MBA ranking. Schulich is second among Canadian schools in the 2011 global MBA ranking of Financial Times (FT). The FT MBA ranking pulls down all Canadian b-schools because of the importance they give to the salary of students at graduation.
What are the financial aids, scholarships and grants available to the students applying to study at Schulich?
CC: The tuition fee is CAD30,000 per annum. There are several entrance scholarships ranging from CAD5,000-CAD20,000. Only the top 20% of the class get them. Students have to meet the eligibility criteria and give interviews before getting the scholarships. There are many bursaries available too.
How is the student life and diversity at your campus?
CC: We are Canada’s global B-school with 55% international students coming from around the globe and with work experience in all sectors. A class comprises lawyers, doctors, business graduates, engineers and even those with an arts background. There are 52 clubs on the Schulich campus apart from several more at York University. York is the third largest university in Canada with 55,000 students. Our faculty is one of the best in the world and come from different countries. In student services and international relations, there are many professionals on teams working under me to help students with different needs – from admissions through to graduation. Likewise, we have a very large career development centre with programming that starts at the beginning of the program and carries through till placement.
Study Abroad
By Sparsh Sharma
B-schools abroad are realising the importance of their students learning additional languages besides English, as businesses become more globalised and new markets emerge
In most parts of the world, English is the standard language of business but it is not the only one in an increasingly global business environment, as more B-schools abroad are recognising. MBA programmes abroad have realised the importance of not just traditionally popular languages like French or Spanish but also newer ones like Arabic, Hindi, and Mandarin.
Key to success
Dr Jack McGourty, director of community and global entrepreneurship at Columbia Business School and faculty member teaching graduate courses in entrepreneurship, venture creation and technology management at Columbia University, USA, says, “No matter what your chosen career path is, today, being facile in more than one language will enhance a manager’s ability to navigate complex global business and cultural environments. Graduate business programmes should offer students alternative vehicles, integrated with curricular programmes, to increase proficiency in languages of choice.”
Columbia Business School’s Chazen Institute offers several programmes to enhance students’ language proficiency including MBA exchange, global immersion programme and the Chazen language programme, offering courses in Arabic, business English, Chinese, French, German, Hindi, Japanese, Portuguese and Spanish at the beginner, intermediate and advanced levels.
Charmaine Courtis, executive director, student services and international relations, Schulich School of Business, York University, Canada, says, “The international MBA (IMBA) programme at Schulich recently celebrated its 20th anniversary. This programme, right from the original format, has required students to develop a second language and an expertise in the region of the world where that language is the language of business. We recognised, two decades ago, that this was the only way to establish oneself in a global context. Having just recently attended an IMBA alumni-connect event, I was amazed to see how this has set our graduates apart. They are making a difference around the globe.”
At Cambridge Judge Business School in UK, one of the electives/ projects in the MBA requires students to learn Mandarin.
Dr. Jochen Runde, director of the MBA at the prestigious B-school, says, “This is a beginners’ course that is offered at the end of the academic year to our MBA students. For most of the attending students, successful completion of the course is a requisite for completing their studies. The course focuses on three language skills: listening, speaking and reading. Due to the complex nature of the Chinese writing system (characters rather than an alphabet), writing is not one of the main aims of this course. We are offering this course as a summer activity option because of the ever-growing importance of China in the world economy. The aim is to give our non-Mandarin speaking students an opportunity to develop some of the language skills they will need to make them more effective in this arena.”
At the leading Aarhus University (AU) of Denmark, the average student arrives already proficient in two or three languages. Lene Pederson, the MBA programme manager at AU’s School of Business and Social Sciences, says, “It’s amazing to find that some students are proficient in more than three languages too. A growing number of students from Asian countries already know English in addition to their native languages. Most of them then learn Danish language also, once they are here.”
Exchange programmes play a part
According to Laura Wood, director of international programmes and services, Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto, Canada, exchange programmes play an important part in learning different languages and cultures.
“With an already global student body from 32 countries speaking 37 languages, Rotman encourages all students to further internationalise their degree through international exchange programmes, study tours, a module on doing business internationally and consulting projects or internships. Participation in these programmes certainly provides students with the opportunity to practice foreign language skills, contributing to both their personal and professional development as well as the B-school’s linguistic and cultural diversity,” says Wood.
Understanding culture also important
According to Narayanan Ramaswamy, partner of management consulting, KPMG India, it’s not only an issue of learning languages. “It’s not a language issue alone. Understanding the culture and being culturally-sensitive is as important as communication skills. A good manager is required to develop additional language skills. It is a major differentiator in a competitive global market. Knowledge of more languages is always welcome.”
Canada beckons
By Sparsh Sharma
With post-degree job opportunities on the decline in much of the developed world, several visa restrictions in the UK, comparatively higher cost of education in the USA, and racist attacks in Australia, Canada is fast emerging as an upcoming destination for many Indian students wanting to study abroad. In several United Nations’ surveys, Canada has been found to be one of the best places to live in the world with low crime rates, high life expectancy, and better access to education.
Jugnu Dutta, an international education consultant from Navi Mumbai, agrees with the trend. “A degree/diploma from a Canadian institution is globally recognised. Canadian immigration process has been relaxed for international students, giving the students an opportunity to look for jobs and eventually apply for Permanent Residency (PR). International students in Canada are permitted to work part time for 20 hours/week (first six months in campus and off campus thereafter). During vacations, international students can work up to 40 hours. Average pay for part time job is C$8 – C$11 per hour. All these factors have made the country a much-preferred destination for Indian students,” says Dutta.
Also, since Canada is one of the most multicultural and diverse countries in the world and accepts people from different backgrounds, international students acclimatise better in Canada than in other countries, according to Imran Kanga, associate director, student services and international relations, Schulich School of Business, York University, Toronto. “Traditionally, the UK, USA and Australia were prime destinations for students. At the moment, the US economy is not doing very well and so international students are having trouble finding jobs, especially because in the US, companies have to sponsor visas for students. The UK has put breaks on immigration altogether and students have to leave the country once they are done with their studies. Canada on the other hand welcomes international students from all over the world, as is evident by the work permit incentive that is automatically given to students post their graduation, which allows them to stay in Canada for up to three years after completing their studies. The Canadian economy is very stable, and our financial system is sound. This means that students are not struggling to find work after they graduate, as the market is receptive. This helps because students are able to work and pay back their student loans faster,” he says.
The students get a chance to mix and learn from a diverse peer groups consisting of students from all over the world and from varying work and educational backgrounds. Canada is a very safe place, the people are extremely warm, friendly and students, who go to Canada, have very enriching experiences.
Sharath Janakiraman, current MBA student at Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto, says, “Despite the rigour, it is not ‘all work and no play’. Social events, exhilarating post-exam celebration parties and various sports activities have been able to add enough fun to my MBA experience. Although this was the first time I am living outside India for such a long time, the warmth of people in Toronto always makes me feel at home.”
The number of international students has increased over the years, in Canada. A trend confirmed by counselors and universities. “Along with the Canadian students, our complement of international students has also grown, from 22 countries represented six years ago, to more than 600 students and 75 countries on campus today,” tells Paul Marck, media relations coordinator, University of British Columbia, Okanagan. Even at universities like Thompson Rivers University, situated in Kamloops (an interior area of British Columbia province), there are international students from more than 80 countries.
Besides many part time jobs available for students, many colleges and universities offer paid or unpaid internships for a few months during the length of the program, especially in post-graduate programs like MBA.
Sheldon Dookeran, assistant director, full time MBA admissions, Rotman School of Management, says, “Students who complete a full time program of study longer than eight months and less than two years can receive a work permit lasting just as long as the program lasted. Better yet, students who complete a program of two years or more in length, such as an undergraduate degree or an MBA, can receive a three-year work permit, within which time they can then apply for PR, if they choose to stay longer. Canada is known for its quality education, cultural comfort and job opportunities. There are 31 student groups and clubs on our campus. Rotman’s strategic location in Toronto and recruiter reputation contributes to its 88% internship rate and 85% employment rate within three months of graduation.”
Many universities and community colleges accept applications on a rolling basis. This means that the admissions committee continues to make offers of admission to qualified applicants until a particular intake reaches its enrolment capacity. However, international students are advised to apply early as admission and scholarships grow more competitive around the second or third deadlines. The application deadline for many programs starting in September (fall) intake starts from the first week of February. At Thompson Rivers University, it starts from mid-May for the September intake. Schulich offers an India MBA program, too, which starts in January and the application deadline for which is November 1.
“All Canadian universities/community colleges have intakes in August/September. Some also provide January/February or May intakes. Few community colleges have three to four intakes in a year. The certificates are usually categorised into certificates, diploma, advanced diploma, bachelor’s degree, post graduate diploma, post graduate certificates, master’s degree and Ph.D. Some of the prominent courses at the graduate level are MBA, PGD in management, MS and LLB while at the undergraduate level; it is the Bachelor of Administrative Studies or Bachelor of Engineering,” adds Dutta.
Unlike India, Canada doesn’t have a central education system and hence is under the jurisdiction of each province. All major universities in Canada are publicly funded whereas the private universities are relatively new and usually offer undergraduate courses. There are approximately 92 universities and 175 community colleges in Canada.
Some popular universities among international students:
- University of Toronto
- York University
- McGill University
- University of Alberta
- University of British Columbia
- Queen’s University
Some popular community colleges among international students:
- Centennial
- Sheridan
- Seneca
- Humber
- Durham
- George Brown
Cost of education – The fees ranges from CAD6,000 to CAD30,000 per year. Usually the universities are more expensive than community colleges. Getting admission in a university is comparatively more difficult than community colleges. Also, most universities accept a minimum of 16 years of education while most community colleges accept 15 years of education.
Canadian visa – The earliest a student can apply for student visa is six months before the start date of the course. The processing time for student visa ranges from 15 days to 30 days for Student Partners Program (SPP) or regular visa respectively. It is recommended to apply for student visa as soon as the student gets the unconditional offer from the university/community college.
Indian students receive four-month long fellowship in Canada
By Sparsh Sharma
Ryerson University’s innovative Digital Media Zone is going to help them transform their business concepts
Sheldon Levy, president of Ryerson University in Toronto, Canada, recently introduced four vibrant Indian students selected for fellowships at the university’s dynamic Digital Media Zone (DMZ) – a hub for collaboration, innovation and entrepreneurship. The fellows will have a four-month term to transform their digital ideas into innovative businesses and business solutions.
“I have always believed that great things come from innovation and the sharing of ideas. These fellowships are a wonderful opportunity to bring some of the best, brightest and most entrepreneurial students from India together with Canadian entrepreneurs and innovators to learn, innovate and explore new digital business opportunities together,” said Levy.
Three of the fellows – Sharanya Aiyahna Haridas, Siddharth Kumar Thakur and Celestine Preetham – are from IIT-Madras and G Visweswaran is from the Indian School of Business, Hyderabad. Three more fellows have been shortlisted from IIT-Delhi and their names would be announced formally soon (see box 3). The university worked with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) to reach out to students at these three top institutes.
Haridas is founder-CEO of Young Folks Media and That’s So Gloss; Thakur is founder of ScanBox, Preetham is founder of TravelNet App and Visweswaran is co-founder and vice president of My IndiEye (see box 2). The fellowships are valued at approximately Rs5,95,000 each (CAD12,500).
“This international fellowship programme is about bringing together global talent to create the innovations of the future, to share and grow the success of the DMZ working model. At Ryerson, we are very excited to offer these opportunities and we cannot wait to see the results,” added Levy.
How were these students selected?
SL: We were looking for students who had a unique, innovative business idea, enabled by digital media that brings commercial or social value. The candidates who met these criteria were then assessed on how unique or innovative their idea was; how feasible it is to develop; is it marketable; and if it will fit in with the collaborative nature of the DMZ.
How are the fellows going to be mentored?
SL: The DMZ will set up space for them; connect them to our internal networks and systems and support them by giving them access to a range of industry experts, who will provide information and advice on business planning, presentations, funding, accounting, patents, intellectual property rights, marketing and more.
Tell us about the DMZ.
SL: Opened in April 2010, Ryerson University’s DMZ is a multi-disciplinary workspace for young start-up companies infused with the energy and resources of downtown Toronto. It’s a place for innovating, collaborating and marketing new products and services, and it’s where commercial enterprises can turn to, for progressive and creative digital solutions. Till date, the DMZ has helped more than 166 innovators to incubate and accelerate 36 start-ups and to launch 61 projects. Fellowships with students from China are going to be announced shortly.
Where did this unique idea of having a DMZ come from?
SL: We know that students and young people are major contributors to the innovation agenda, and their ideas and energy are incredible. At Ryerson, our goal is to keep that talent and energy in Canada, rather than training our young people to work in USA’s Silicon Valley. We created the zone with this idea in mind, to encourage and showcase our emerging talent and to connect students and young alumni with the private and public sector.
About the start-ups:
That’s So Gloss: India’s first web-zine and online community for teen girls and young women
TravelNet: Mobile app and internet-based service that uses GPS and telecom technology to connect ride-seekers, vehicles and traffic control
ScanBox: Web-based service company with a clear focus on simplicity, value creation and great user experience
My IndiEye: Mobile sightseeing platform for travelers
IIT-Delhi’s fellows:
Alok Nikhil Jha – MyMovie: Online movie selection, ticketing, and more
Avnish Gaur – AskMePrice: Product search website based on price, location and other variables
Abhishek Gupta and Saurabh Kumar – Zumbl: Avatar-based, anonymous chat website.
GTU Initiative for Global Exposure for GTU MBA Students from different institutions across Gujarat
We are highly thankful to Gujarat Technological University(GTU) for organising a Summer Camp Program at University of Alberta (UoA), Canada and for providing us a golden opportunity to know about learning systems in Canada, at a world-class University. The classes of Summer Camp Program started on 27th June 2011. We, a total of 35 students, are attending the Summer Camp Program at UoA, Canada. Professsor Bhavin Pandya says that we are writing a new chapter in the history of higher education in India, since this is the first such effort by any state University in India.
We are indebted to Dr. A. K. Aggarwal, Honorable Vice-Chancellor, GTU for envisioning and organizing the Summer Camp Program for us. This trip is proving to be a great learning experience for us. The professors here are very responsive and are trying to make the maximum efforts to make our stay comfortable and to open our minds to a truly a new world. In a globalized and diversified economy, higher education would not be complete without such an intensive international exposure. During the 40 days program, we are looking forward to explore the exciting temple of knowledge in an optimal way .
Most of us are the first generation University students from our families. GTU’s policy of sending those, who were academically the best from all over Gujarat has brought us to Alberta. Those opportunities will permit us to learn about other cultures and international businesses, which will open paths towards shaping a good career in a powerful way – and the we will tremendously benefit by studying at UoA. We are fortunate today to be in Alberta “There have been active discussions around the campus among students and faculty to further institutionalize and internationalize the campus.”
We are grateful to Dr. A. K. Aggarwal, Honorable Vice-Chancellor, GTU to address us from India through a telephonic conference at the first lecture of the Summer Camp on 27th June 2011 at UoA, Canada. He discussed about the objectives of the program and emphasized his vision to make GTU MBA Program of the highest academic standard. He said that today’s MBA programs have to prepare young person for global placements. Dr. Aggarwal asked the GTU students to work hard along with the University to build excellent careers for themselves. By doing that, he said that, they would be able to build Gujarat, India and the world of tomorrow.
First Report of the Arrival of Students and Faculty Members at Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada
By Prof. Dr. Anita Mehta and Prof. Nirbhay Chaubay
As part of its Global Initiative Program, Gujarat Technological University (GTU) has organized a 6 week International Global Experience Program (from 15th June to 29th July 2012) at Laurentian University (LU) in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada.
A total of 106 students of Pharmacy, Computer Science, and Engineering/IT from various institutions across the state of Gujarat, led by Professor Dr. Anita Mehta, Principal, L.M. College of Pharmacy, Ahmedabad and Prof. Nirbhay Chaubey, OSD, Gujarat Technological University arrived in the campus of Laurentian University in three different groups on the 13th, 14th, and 15th June 2012. A small group of 18 students reached Toronto’s Pearson Airport late in the night of 14th June 2012. Dr. Kalpdrum Passi, along with the three other professors and students, took them to the university residence. The remaining three groups of students were brought to the university residence by bus. Dr. Passi welcomed all the students and faculty members and saw to it that they were comfortably settled in the campus. The students have been given a 6 week program schedule.
On arrival, they were allocated rooms in M and B Wing of the university residence. They were offered facilities like access to the library, Game Zone, and gym. Their lunch and dinner were arranged in the Pub, in the Great Hall, R. D. Parker Building on the University Campus.
On June 16th 2012, the University arranged a tour of Sudbury for the students in three different groups by bus. They visited Sudbury’s most famous landmarks; i.e. the Sudbury Big Nickel, New Sudbury Centre (located at the corner of Barrydowne Road, Lasalle Boulevard) and lakes and beaches. The Sudbury Big Nickel is a giant replica of the Canadian five-cent piece.
Prof. Mehta and Prof. Chaubey visited the university campus and met Dr. Abdel Omri—Professor of Pharmacology—and Dr. Kalpdrum Passi—Chair of Mathematics and Computer Science—regarding the courses, the examination scheme, and collaboration in research work with the GTU. Prof. Mehta and Prof. Chaubey also discussed with Ms. Rachel, Business Officer, Faculty of Science and Engineering for successful implementation of the 6 week summer camp including excursion to Ottawa, Niagara Falls, etc.
B.C. to host business forum focused on investment with India
Source: Government of British Columbia via Indian Economic Business News
Business leaders from India and British Columbia will meet to discuss investment opportunities at the BC-India Global Business Forum on Tuesday, March 12, 2013, at the Vancouver Trade and Convention Centre. The opening and expansion of markets for British Columbia’s goods and services, particularly in Asia, and the attraction of investment to grow B.C.’s priority sectors is a key pillar of the BC Jobs Plan. India is identified in the BC Jobs Plan as a priority market. The B.C. government has been spearheading India market outreach efforts to seek new export and investment opportunities for B.C. businesses, and to create greater awareness of B.C.’s advantages as a trading partner. The BC-India Global Business Forum is a key part of B.C.’s longer-term economic and trade strategy with India. It will profile key sectors that are of mutual priority for both the B.C. and Indian markets. The forum will include sector-specific discussions and presentations, as well as networking sessions to facilitate business opportunities and business matching.
Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce led a 117 member delegation to India
Source: Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce via Indian Economic Business News
The Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce (ICCC) led a multi-city, multi-sector trade mission to India from January 2-17. 2013. The 117 member delegation representing various sectors such as trade, banking, construction, food security, education, energy security and infrastructure visited Mumbai, Bangalore, Kochi, Ahmedabad and Delhi. The delegates also participated in the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, and in Ahmedabad-Gandhinagar in Vibrant Gujarat. The Mayors of both Markham and Brampton also joined the mission and led large delegations from their cities.
Vibrant Gujarat Summit: Canadian PM lauds Gujarat’s entrepreneurial spirit
Source: Daily News and Analysis via Indian Economic Business News
Prime Minister of Canada, Stephen Harper, has lauded the entrepreneurial spirit of Gujarat and said that the state is playing an important role in strengthening Canada-India relations. In a letter to Chief Minister Narendra Modi, the Canadian PM said that Gujarat, one of India’s most dynamic and industrious states, is world-renowned for its entrepreneurial spirit. “The state is an important partner for Canada thanks to its strategic location, strong economic credentials, and multilingual skilled workforce,” Harper said in the letter. Canada is one of the partners of Vibrant Gujarat Summit 2013,. Describing Vibrant Gujarat Summit as an international platform which provides a wonderful opportunity to foster new commercial relationships and enhance people-to-people ties, Harper said that Canada recently opened a trade office in Ahmedabad to facilitate new business and trade opportunities for Canada and the Gujarati community.“I would like to thank the Chief Minister Narendra Modi and Gujarat government for their contributions to strengthening Canada-India relations,” the Canadian Prime Minister added.
Canada showcases trade and investment opportunities at India’s Vibrant Gujarat
Source: High Commission of Canada, New Delhi via Indian Economic Business News
As a partner country, Canada had significant presence at the 2013 Vibrant Gujarat Global Business Summit (VG2013), from January 11 to 13, in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. With precursor events starting on January 8, VG2013 brought together business leaders, investors, corporations, industry experts, policy and opinion makers and over 500 exhibitors with over 40,000 visitors attending from India and more than 100 countries. Highlights of Canada’s presence at VG2013 included: Canada Country seminar on January 11; Canada-Gujarat Trade and Investment Opportunities seminar on January 12; Canada Business Partnering Forum (match-making event); Canada Pavilion with provincial representations at the Trade Show and an Education Pavilion at the Trade Show Delegates also participated in the International Conference for Academic Institutions on January 9 and 10, the Innovation Convention on January 9 and the Technology Convention on January 10.
Seventh round of India-Canada FTA talks likely in February
Source: Deccan Herald via Indian Economic Business News
“Canada wants an ambitious Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with India. The seventh round of (FTA) negotiations is happening in February in New Delhi,” Canadian High Commissioner in India Stewart Beck said. He was speaking on the sidelines of a function jointly organised by industry chamber CII and Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce. “I think there is will at both the sides to conclude the proposed pact partly because we think it is an important thing to do and also the Prime Ministers (of India and Canada) have committed to do it by end of 2013,” Beck said. At present, the two-way trade is over USD 5 billion. Beck said: “We want one (pact) that is going to give the maximum movement of people from Indian perspective. We want the one which gives the best rates possible for Canadian goods coming into this market.” The FTA is aimed at slashing or eliminating duties on maximum number of products traded between the two countries, besides opening the services sector and facilitating investment proposals. As per a joint study group report, both countries will benefit from the CEPA. According to the report, India and Canada’s GDP are likely to get benefits in the range of USD 6 billion and USD 15 billion per year, respectively from the trade pact.
CIEC accepting CARE applications
CARE agents enjoy many benefits. CIEC invites you to visit our website for a detailed overview of the CARE process and benefits.
Benefits include:
- Use of the CARE logo, CARE certificate, and goodwill of the CIEC brand
- Use of Toronto ‘Rep’ Office
- Access to training provided by Department of Foreign Affiars (DFAIT) & attend CIEC webinars
- Online exposure on our website & social media outlets and regular mentions in our email campaigns and ‘Disha’ newsletter, distributed to over 19 000 key education stakeholders in both countries
- Reduced registration fee to our annual Synergy networking event and one-night FREE stay in Toronto
- Student airport pickup (coming soon)
- Grow your network while becoming part of an established network & gain recognition amongst Canadian Colleges & Universities
- Membership fees range from $1500 to $2500 for a 3 year period and the approval process takes between 4 to 6 months. If you have any questions or comments, please direct them to [email protected].
We look forward to working with you in growing your brand while promoting ethical student recruitment in the burgeoning Canada-India education corridor.
Hyderabad Metro, GIFT City in `Strategic 100’ infra projects
Source: Hindu Business Line via Indian Economic Business News
Hyderabad Metro Rail project has been selected as one of the top 100 strategic global infrastructure projects to be showcased at the forthcoming Global Infrastructure Leadership Forum being held in New York during February-March, 2013. Apart from the Rs 14,132 crore ($2.6 billion) Hyderabad Metro Rail project, two other Indian projects have also figured in this prestigious list: GIFT city (Gujarat International Financial Tech city) costing Rs 72,600 crore ($13.2 billion) and Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail project costing Rs 60,000 crore ($10.89 billion). “Strategic 100” is a list of the top 100 infrastructure projects selected through a rigorous selection process on the basis of their potential to make significant difference to their cities/region/country in terms of overall performance and competitiveness. The list has been prepared by an American agency after undertaking research of a large number of major infra projects in 66 countries.
Canadian provinces for more trade in Punjab
Source: Indian Express via Indian Economic Business News
The Consulate General (CG) of Canada in Chandigarh has received requests from the provinces of Manitoba, Alberta and Saskatchewan seeking increased trade ties between them and the state of Punjab in the fields of food processing and agro-industry. CG officials said that the provinces in the country have expertise in handling food grain storage and processing and are proposing technology sharing agreements with the government of Punjab. Officials handling the trade and investment work at the CG office here said that Canada is looking at setting up a food park jointly with the state of Punjab. They added that closer ties between Canada and Punjab will help the state to pursue a crop diversification program and look beyond paddy-wheat growing cycle. Consul General, Scot Slessor, said that the consulate in Chandigarh is looking at increased trade ties as part of the plan of the two countries to move up from the current 5-6 billion (Canadian dollar) trade between India and Canada.
New trade and investment office to boost Indo-Canadian ties
Source: Economic Times via Indian Economic Business News
British Columbia Finance Minister Michael de Jong, who was on a visit to Punjab recently said the opening of a new trade and investment office in Chandigarh will strengthen economic ties between India and Canada.”Trade and Investment office (at Chandigarh) will boost the business prospects (between India and Canada),” Jong said. A new trade and investment office was opened at the Canadian Consul-General in Chandigarh on December 7th. Jong said there is a huge potential for mutual trade in sectors of energy, coal, technology, education, wood products, digital media ability, etc. “Trade must go both ways and both the countries have to go a long way in this regard,” he said. On immigration, Jong said there are some “difficulties” in the matter of immigration even though India is the second largest source of immigration to Canada. “Our biggest challenge in coming years is people. We need people in our economy but we need to have a fair system that encourages movement of people in both the countries,” he said.
Canadian province eyes 10-fold jump in trade
Source: Economic Times via Indian Economic Business News
Michael De Jong, the Finance Minister of the Canadian province of British Columbia, says he is eyeing a 10-fold jump in trade with India over the next few years. De Jong is betting on companies from India exploring opportunities in sectors such as coal and natural gas while businesses from the Canadian province seeking opportunities in areas such as life sciences, aerospace and agri-food processing. “We did $300 million of trade last year, (but) I see a potential for $3 billion. India has more to offer Canada than shrimp, which I believe registers as one of the top exports. We can do way better. For us, we are blessed with abundant natural resources and we understand that in India there is an insatiable appetite for coal, natural gas and fertilizers. These are areas where both sides can work together,” he said.
Ontario Ministry of Economic Development and Innovation led delegation to India
Source: Indian Economic Business News
The Ontario Ministry of Economic Development and Innovation led a telecom mission to India in December 2012. The purpose of the mission was to advance business alliance between Ontario and Indian companies in the telecommunication sector. The 16 member delegation visited Mumbai and New Delhi. Some of the companies exhibited at the India Telecom trade show in New Delhi from December 13-15.
Mrs. Neelkamal Darbari, Joint Secretary, Department of Chemicals & Petrochemicals led a 3-member delegation to Toronto
Source: Indian Economic Business News
Mrs. Neelkamal Darbari, Joint Secretary, Department of Chemicals & Petrochemicals, accompanied by Mr. S. Ilangovan, Chief Manager (Technical), Central Institute of Plastics Engineering and Technology (CIPET), and Mr. Manoj Mehta, Deputy Director, Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), visited Toronto during December 9-15, 2012. The main purpose of the visit was to review the research work undertaken by the CoE- GREET (Centre of Excellence -Green Transportation Network) PhD scholars at University of Toronto. CIPET and University of Toronto, both, are in the process of implementing the joint research and innovation agenda under the CoE-GREET programme. CIPET has signed an MOU with U of T for transferring knowledge-based skills in the areas of Bioplastics and Biodegradable composites.
The delegation had meetings with Ms. Wendy Tilford, Deputy Minister, Ontario Ministry of Economic Development and Innovation, Deans of Faculty of Engineering and Chemistry, Prof Mohini Sain, Dean and Professor, Faculty of Forestry, and Director, Centre for Biocomposites & Biomaterials Processing, University of Toronto, President of Canadian Plastic Industry Association, President of Ontario BioAuto Council and had interaction with PhD scholars from CIPET. Visits to Windsor Ford Power Train Research Centre, Magna NRC (National Research Council) facility, Woodbridge Foam factory and Greencore Composites facility were also undertaken. The delegation availed this opportunity to discuss the potential partnerships in areas of new technologies and potential areas of cooperation and investment opportunities in chemical sector in India. The 2nd International Exhibition on Plastics and Petrochemicals – Poly India 2013 – was also promoted in various interactions and invitation was extended to stakeholders for participation in this exhibition.
IIT and Canadian Universities spur growth in innovation and entrepreneurship
Source: Connect – Canada in India
Ryerson University has signed an agreement with Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay, laying the groundwork for students and faculty from both institutions to collaborate on research and industry-based projects to foster innovation and entrepreneurship. This association will offer students and faculty from both institutions opportunities to collaborate on research projects in emerging fields of nanotechnology, biomedical engineering and renewable energy. In addition, IIT Bombay also signed agreements with University of Waterloo and University of Toronto during their two-day delegation visit to Toronto in October.
Canadian Students on Green Mission in India
Source: Connect – Canada in India
What were three young Canadian students doing in crowded bustees on the outskirts of Chandigarh? Team Connect posed this question to Stacy Thoreson, Adam Rieu and Kathryn Shiratti from the University of the Fraser Valley (UFV). The answer was not only inspiring but loaded with a promise of a greener and better future. The three Canadian students were in Chandigarh to work on an urban agriculture project, with financial support from the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) and the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC). Working in partnership with a local non-governmental organization, Developing Indigenous Resources (DIR), and Panjab University, the students helped residents of the congested Janata Colony and Adarsh Nagar grow vegetables on their rooftops. Check out Team Connect’s interview with the Canadian students.
Canada at 2012 Agro Tech in India
Source: Connect – Canada in India
Three Canadian provinces, Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan, formed the Canada pavilion at India’s 10th agro technology fair, Agro Tech 2012, organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in Chandigarh from December 1 to 4. Canadian companies in areas including swine genetics, forage products, flax oil, animal feed mixers, canola oil, agri-consulting companies, grain storage and handling systems, and food development centres showcased their expertise.
British Columbia opens two new offices in India
Source: Connect – Canada in India
During a visit to India from December 2 to 10, Michael de Jong Q.C., Minister of Finance for the Canadian province of British Columbia (BC), opened two new British Columbia Trade and Investment offices, co-located within the Consulate-General of Canada offices in Chandigarh and Mumbai. The office openings took place on:
Consulate General of Canada in Chandigarh – December 7
Consulate General of Canada in Mumbai – December 10
The new official British Columbia Trade and Investment offices will promote and develop export opportunities to India for BC businesses, attracting investment from India, develop mutually beneficial investment projects and foster partnerships between BC and Indian institutions and companies for joint research and development.
For more information, please email:
Chandigarh – [email protected]
Mumbai – [email protected] .
PM announces new Canada-India Research Centre of Excellence
Source: Connect – Canada in India
The Prime Minister of Canada, Stephen Harper, announced the selection of the India-Canada Centre for Innovative Multidisciplinary Partnership to Accelerate Transformation and Sustainability (IC-IMPACTS) as the winner of the Canada-India Research Centre of Excellence (CIRCE) competition. The centre will receive Government of Canada support of $13.8 million over five years. The centre will develop and implement solutions to important issues in partner communities in India and Canada, providing a real-world testing ground, with the goal of sharing effective solutions with other communities.
Carleton University seeking Manager for Canada-India Centre for Excellence
Carleton University, Canada’s Capital University, is seeking a qualified and a highly motivated candidate to fill a key role as:
Manager, Canada-India Centre for Excellence
Salary Range: $64,347 – $86,319
The Manager, CICE is responsible for assisting the strategic objectives of the President, Vice-President (Research & International), and Deans in the development and delivery of a program of academic exchanges, research, economic development and cultural/intellectual activities for the CICE. The incumbent will initiate and engage in business development activities to obtain funding to make the centre operations sustainable, including developing proposals, milestones, deliverables; overseeing the financial status and human resources to meet objectives; preparing status reports, identifying issues, opportunities and challenges; negotiating as required with external international funding agencies; preparing materials and recommendations to the CICE Board.
The incumbent must possess the following qualifications:
- Knowledge of project management principles;
- Experience in fostering effective communication within and among groups
- Outstanding interpersonal and organizational skills;
- Ability to prioritize tasks, meet deadlines and manage multiple projects simultaneously;
- Detail oriented, resourceful, innovative, flexible and accessible;
- Proven capacity to excel in an independent work environment while relating to various sectors of the university and community including the CICE Board;
- Exceptional listening, verbal and written communication skills;
- Strong editorial and documentation skills especially in relation to technical documents;
- Experience in using word processing, spreadsheets, database and internet applications and tools;
- Requires exceptional interpersonal, organizational, analytical and writing skills, as well as flexibility;
- Attention to detail and adherence to strict deadlines in a fast paced, dynamic environment is essential;
- Must possess knowledge of project management principles and is adept at effectively and efficiently determining priorities, and has experience with innovative research concepts and programs.
The above is normally acquired through the completion of a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university, ideally with business management skills including a specialization in international business and project management, and experience with international research funding programs specifically in India. Knowledge of languages spoken in India is an asset. This along with a minimum of three or more years related experience, preferably in working with India, Canada and indo-Canadian relations with a focus on business development, research, networking among universities, applying successfully for funds from national and international funding agencies.
Equivalencies will be considered. Applicants are encouraged to provide information which may demonstrate equivalent qualifications.
Carleton University is strongly committed to fostering diversity within its community as a source of excellence, cultural enrichment and social strength. We welcome those who would contribute to the further diversification of our University including but not limited to women, persons with disabilities, visible minorities, Aboriginal peoples, and persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity.
How to apply: Candidates should visit our website at http://www2.carleton.ca/hr/employment-opportunities/ and follow the instructions provided to apply for this position
Indian Students Lucrative for Canada
Ontario Set to be Top Student Destination
Canada to Launch New CARE for Indians
Charu Sudan Kasturi, Hindustan Times New Delhi, February 16, 2011
Thousands of Indian students applying to Canadian universities may no longer run the risk of a Tri-Valley University (TVU) repeat under a unique plan aimed at students concerned after recent instances of fraud abroad. The Canada India Education Council (CIEC), which coordinates educational ties between the two countries, plans to launch CARE, an agent certification process, this July ahead of the Fall 2011 academic session. Around 12,000 Indian students are currently studying in Canada.
Senior Canadian government officials have told HT that the Federal government is backing the initiative that it hopes will help Canada emerge an alternate destination for Indian students seeking to study abroad.
“Students in India are worried about studying abroad after the TVU scam and the recent instances of fraud and race attacks in Australia. We believe that if we pitch Canada appropriately, we can show Indian students that our country is a very attractive alternative,” a senior Canadian official said.
The CARE process will allow Indian students keen on studying in Canada to ensure that education agents are certified, CIEC Executive Director Husain F Neemuchwala said.
The CIEC-modeled on the lines of the United States India Education Foundation (USIEF)- is particularly critical for Indo-Canadian ties because Canada does not have a federal education department. Education is managed by each Province. The CIEC is an NGO, but is supported by the Canadian Government.
But Canada is keenly pushing its education as a major source of revenue- to be earned from foreign students. India at present falls behind China, the US, Mexico and a handful of other countries in the number of students it sends to Canada.
Immigration Minister Jason Kenney Apologizes to India for Visa Refusals
Agent certification launched in India: CIEC
Source: thepienews.com
The Canada India Education Council (CIEC) has launched a certification programme that recognises quality and ethical practice among education agents involved in Canada-India exchange.
Indian Canadian Advisors Representing Excellence (CARE) is the only bespoke certification system of its kind and aims to establish rules on agent practice; increase accountability; and make it easier for Indian agents to find Canadian universities and colleges appropriate for their students through its membership database.
CEO of CIEC, Husain F. Neemuchwala, said: ”The time couldn’t be better with the tremendous activity back and forth in the Canada-India corridor over the past two or three years. While we have done a lot of good work promoting the corridor, much work still needs to be done to make sure we reach full potential.”
The certification process, aimed to certify agencies working with Canadian institutions, places high emphasis on transparency, requires agents to be upfront about hidden fees and consistent in how they represent themselves to students.
Agents are reported to have reacted positively to the system since launch, with 60 already hoping for certification once pilot tests are finished. However, Neemuchwala emphasises that CIEC is not aiming for rapid growth.
“Quality over quantity is the premise on which CARE was created. If not colleges and universities can Google [search] and look up agents themselves. The whole idea is to create a smaller number of validated and certified agents that we can stand behind,” he said.
CARE also promises institutions a streamlined recruitment process, greater exposure to the best of the Indian agency market, and information on student trends. Neemuchwala said, “As CARE gets more momentum, things will improve not just for specific colleges and university members but the industry in general. There are people who don’t like to use agents but this might change their minds.
“And for people who generally use agents but aren’t happy with their services, this might open doors to other options for them.”
The certification process takes between four to six months to complete and certification lasts two years. In that time agents can use the CARE promotional materials, will be listed on the CIEC website, and will gain greater access to CIEC member universities and colleges among other benefits.
Founded in 2010, CIEC is an event-driven, membership organisation. CARE is open to CIEC agent members at no cost and for a fee to non-members. The extent of non-member access to the comprehensive agent listings is yet to be determined.
Education to Build Bridges Between Canada, India
COU announces new family medicine training opportunities
Toronto, February 2011
The federal government would be funding $11.3 million over four years to support a project in Ontario that offers new family medicine positions and training opportunities across Canada from 2011. The funding would cover the entire costs for establishing residency positions. The Council of Ontario Universities (COU) is striving to improve access to healthcare for Ontarians in remote and rural communities. Approximately 60 additional third-year family medicine residency positions will be created at Ontario’s six Faculties of Medicine to enhance emergency medicine and enhanced skills, which includes McMaster University, University of Ottawa, Queen’s University, University of Toronto, University of Western Ontario, as well as the Northern Ontario School of Medicine at Laurentian University and Lakehead University.
According to Dr. Catharine Whiteside, co-chair person of COU Faculties of Medicine and Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Toronto, “focusing on specializations such as anesthesia, obstetrics, care of the elderly, palliative care, rural skills, mental health and additions, will be a starting point to support comprehensive family practice in under-served communities.” Hence, with the continuing support from provincial government to improve health care facilities across Ontario, people living in rural communities will be having greater benefits.
Carleton University to host Canada India Education Summit May 16, 17 2011
Source: www.cou.on.ca, Toronto, Feb 2011
Both Canada and India share a strong commitment towards education, the environment, health and science. They commonly view technology as a means to bring economic progress to the nation. To celebrate the commonalities and a mutual desire to develop trade and educational partnerships, Carleton University, in collaboration with the India High Commission and community members has established the Canada-India Centre for Excellence in Science, Technology, Trade and Policy.
It has been announced by The Shastri Indo- Canadian Institute, in partnership with Carleton University, the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada, the High Commission of India, and the Association of Colleges and Universities of Canada (AUCC) that Canada-India Education Summit is to be held at Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada on May 16 and 17, 2011.
The summit was initiated by the High Commission of India with the consent of the two prime ministers and support from the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada.
25 vice-chancellors from reputed Indian universities will collaborate with their Canadian counterparts in this event which will include major keynote addresses, as well as executive roundtables on the topics of student and faculty exchanges, joint programs and degrees, twinning arrangements, credit transfers, accreditation issues, mutual recognition of degrees, co-tu-telle possibilities for doctoral students, application of technology in education – especially distance learning – and public and private ventures in education.
Dr. Roseann Runte, president of Carleton University, mentioned that the event is a part of the scheduled activities of the Canada-India Centre for Excellence in Science, Technology, Trade and Policy at Carleton and is sponsored by the High Commission of India in Canada.
IELTS tops the list
PRNewswire, Cairo, March 2011
The International English Language Testing System, commonly known as IELTS, made its way to the top in the list of World’s most popular high stakes English Language tests. A record breaking 1.5 million tests were taken around the world in 2010 with the increase in the number of tests taken year-after-year since 1995. North America experienced the largest growth over the year followed by Philippines and Hong Kong. China, Australia and India continue to retain their positions as the largest markets for IELTS.
IELTS provides a reliable measure of a candidate’s ability across the four skills of listening, reading, writing and speaking. Candidates mainly take IELTS in pursuit of entry into an academic institution or immigration processes, mainly to Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the UK. IELTS is jointly owned by British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia, and the University of Cambridge (Examinations ESOL).
Canada and India build closer educational ties
UniversityWorldNews, Issue 128, 2010
India is focusing on giving their students a global experience, and a new bill being passed by the Indian Parliament would bring vast progress and easier access for international universities.
Mr. Pawan Agarwal, author of Indian Higher Education: Envisioning the future and a West Bengal Government member of staff addressed a conference in Ottawa held by the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada to promote India-Canada ties in higher education. He stated that with the right foundation, appropriate student recruitment, joint research project ventures and Government support, closer ties can be achieved.
The main reason towards this collaboration is to lessen the unfamiliarity of Canadian Universities and their reputation in India. Raising awareness is critical in overseas development work. Mr Agarwal mentioned that there were about 28,000 Indian students studying in Australia in comparison to a meager 2800 in Canada. Development of offshore campuses, collaborating with Indian institutes and extensive marketing are the ways to go for establishing strong presence in India. In the lines of Virginia tech and Georgia University, US opening off shore campuses in
Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, Schulich School of business, York University, Canada has already taken a step forward to offer collaborative programs with SP Jain School of Management, Mumbai, India.
According to Mr Shashishekhar Gavai, Indian High Commissioner to Canada, research collaboration was another option of consideration. He mentioned that McGill and Carleton universities are interested in setting up Canada-India centres to address the Indian immigrants in Canada.
On India’s part, India has 26,200 educational institutions with over 15 million students which is expected to grow twice as much in the next few years due to the increased growth of middle and upper classes. Mr Agarwal would like to increase the number of mature students enrolling for post graduate programs, something that Canada has been successful at. He is expecting Canada to diversify growth in areas in addition to Management and Engineering.
Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper hosted a roundtable discussion with 15 presidents from Indian universities. With premiers of Canadian provinces Ontario and Quebec visiting India and expressing interest in pursuing closer ties with the Indian higher education system, 15 Canadian university presidents met in India in November to make progress. India has become a global giant that without considering Indian market there is no real global experience. These programs will also provide tremendous opportunities for Indian students looking to acquire world-class management training and prepare them for global careers in India and around the world.
This Indo-Canadian collaboration will provide students a diverse international perspective and an opportunity to synthesize Western efficiency and Eastern ethos.
A Letter from Deepak Obhrai & Hon. Vim Kochhar
After meeting with Prime Minister Stephen Harper on April 15th, Foreign Affairs Parliamentary Secretary Deepak Obhrai and the Honourable Senator Vim Kochhar issued a call for “inputs, thoughts and any suggestions you may have” to further the role of the South Asian community in Canada.
The Ruby Way
Memorandum of Understanding Between the Government of Canada and the Government of the Replublic of India Concerning Cooperation in Higher Education
Read the Memorandum of Understanding here, signed a the G20, recognizing education as ‘an area of new momentum.’