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Synergy 2013 Education Conference

February 18, 2013March 29, 2016Canada India Education Council (CIEC)

imgSynergy smallPost-Event Report

October 3 & 4, 2013

Hilton Garden Inn (Toronto Airport West) • 1870 Matheson Blvd • Mississauga, ON • L4W 0B3

On October 3 & 4, Canada India Education Council (CIEC) was the proud host of ‘Canada-India: Synergy in Education’ Conference 2013 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Toronto.  Participants exchanged ideas & experiences, explored opportunities, highlighted their programs and networked with stakeholders active in both markets, resulting in many valuable connections. 

‘Conferences, such as this one, are crucial to Canada-India relations, because they allow for growth and promoting knowledge between the two countries… I wish the 7th Annual Canada-India Synergy in Education Conference much success and hope all participants will thoroughly enjoy and enlighten themselves at this event.‘

– Hon. Deepak Obhrai, P.C., M.P., Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and for International Human Rights

To view Synergy 2013 Presentations, click here. To view Synergy 2013 Photos, click here.

Key points & highlights

  • Need for a strategy for promoting overlooked sectors of education within the Canadian education system to international students, which include career colleges / skilled trades & technical education
  • Patterns and sources of student growth & prospects and challenges of increased activity in the Indian education sector
  • Reenergized National strategy for promoting ‘Brand Canada’ overseas & opportunities for involvementIMG_2488

This year, CIEC introduced the ‘brainstorming’ session called ‘A Suggestion or Two’ that captured what key players such as academics, government & education agents want to see done to further optimize educational ties between Canada and India.   Some of the ideas suggested include:

  • Importance of keeping sight of international students’ needs both before and after they reach Canada
  • The critical value the Synergy Conference brings to all stakeholders and need to reach a wider audience as the Synergy / CIEC brand grows
  • NACC engaged in groundbreaking work and Career colleges must offer incentives to international students to overcome an unfavorable perception created by UK and Australian career colleges
  • Academic institutions’ need for ethical education agents and iCARE’s (CIEC’s Agent Membership Category) growing & much-lauded role in meeting this demand through our unique agent peer-review screening system  where agents are graded in key areas by Canadian college and University references

Session summary

CIEC Chair Hon. Pierre S. Pettigrew’s opening address stressed the need for educational ties as a valuable bridge between nations, even in matters of national security, their usefulness in the promotion of ideas and national growth, as well as the effects of globalization and a shrinking middle class in a changing world.  Prof. Balbir Sahni from Concordia University followed with his Inaugural Address: ‘Sustainability of India–Focused Academic Linkages: Prospects and Challenges’ – a look at the path ahead in terms of gauging the true value of and optimizing MoUs while increasing student pull.  Hon. Akhilesh Mishra, Consul General of India-Toronto discussed the critical role education plays in bridging the gap between Canada and India while Prof. Margaret Walton-Roberts from Wilfrid Laurier University presented Synergy attendees with a much-lauded session on the intersection of immigration & education in the Canada-India corridor, after which Synergy attendees enjoyed an Indian buffet lunch / networking session.

Rachel Lindsey, Senior Policy Analyst Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada reflected on AUCC’s ‘India strategy’ and Husain Neemuchwala, CEO of CIEC provided an update on CIEC upcoming activities which include our India ‘Mission 2014’ and the tremendous success of our iCARE (agent membership & screening process) initiative.  Paul Bailey, Deputy Director, Edu-Canada, Foreign Affairs & Trade Development (DFATD) provided an update from Edu-Canada on their efforts in the promotion of Canada as a study destination.  Dr. Shanthi Johnson, President, Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute followed with the session ‘The road ahead: Challenges & Opportunities in the Canada-India education corridor,’ and Synergy attendees shared a laugh during the popular, interactive ‘Speed Dating’ session that offered them a change to introduce themselves & what they would like to achieve (partnerships, joint programming…).

Synergy 2013 participants enjoyed traditional Indian dessert during a short networking break and returned to hear Dr. Nemkumar (Nemy) Banthia, Univ. of British Columbia provide an overview of the new Canada-India Research Centre of Excellence announced by Hon. PM Stephen Harper in Nov 2012 called IC-IMPACTS.  Devinder Shory, MP & Co-Chair, Canada-India Parliamentary Association concluded Day 1 of the Conference by raising a toast to its continued success.

On Day 2 Career Colleges Canada’s informative session discussed NACC’s role in raising the bar for career colleges and filling the skilled trade shortage.  As part of their new focus on international students, they discussed the work they are doing working with the Canadian government on areas of student visas, work permits, and possible immigration as well as the new ISP program and its groundbreaking inclusion of career colleges.  Kam Rathee, Vice Chair, CIEC interjected with an observation that while immigration is important to students, India’s lack of quality institutions will always be the driving force behind international students’ seeking education abroad. For this reason Canada’s primary focus must remain on providing world-class education.  Patrick Brown, MP & Co-Chair, Canada-India Parliamentary Association followed with a quick update on the Government’s ‘Internationalization’ plans & the ‘Education Consortium’.  Brad Butt, MP for Streetsville, Mississauga stopped by to provide greetings from Ottawa as he did last year and called the Conference to a close.  He thanked the work undertaken by Husain and the entire CIEC team and offered the support of his office, either locally or in Ottawa.=

CIEC thanks our esteemed presenters and all participants for making this year’s event yet another tremendous success with a special acknowledgement to Sophiya Consultants and Study Plus Consultants and Education Services, CIEC’s newest agent members, for contributing their voices to the discussion and coming from India to collect their iCARE certificates.

We look forward to seeing you at Synergy 2014!

October 3

9:30 - 10:00 a.m.REGISTRATION & NETWORKING (COFFEE/COOKIES)
10:00 - 10:20 a.m.Opening address by Hon. Pierre S. Pettigrew, PC, Chair, CIEC
10:20 - 10-:30 a.m.Synergy 2013 overview by Husain F. Neemuchwala, CEO & Executive Director, CIEC
10:30 - 11:15 a.m.Inaugural Address: Sustainability of India–Focused Academic Linkages: Prospects and Challenges’ by Prof. Balbir Sahni, Professor Emeritus-Economics, Concordia University
11:15 - 11:30 a.m.NETWORKING BREAK I
11:30 - 11:45 a.m.‘KEYNOTE ADDRESS’ by Hon. Akhilesh Mishra, Consul General of India-Toronto
11:45 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.SESSION II: ‘Exchange of ideas’ with a contextual reference to the intersection of immigration & education in the Canada-India corridor by Prof. Margaret Walton-Roberts, Wilfrid Laurier University
12:45 - 1:30 p.m.WORKING ‘INDIAN BUFFET’ LUNCH
1:30 - 2:00 p.m.SESSION III: Reflections on AUCC’s ‘India strategy’ and updates from Rachel Lindsey, Senior Policy Analyst Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC)
2:00 - 2:10 p.m.IV: Update on iCARE (Indian Canadian Academic Advisors Representing Excellence)-CIEC’s agent ‘membership’. Announcing CIEC’s webinar series, India ‘Mission 2014’ and announcements of CIEC’s members’ events and activities
2:10 - 2:45 p.m.SESSION V: Updates on from Edu-Canada on promotion of Canada as a study destination by Paul Bailey, Deputy Director, Edu-Canada, Foreign Affairs & Trade Development (DFATD)
2:45 - 3:30 p.m.SESSION VI: The road ahead: Challenges & Opportunities in the Canada-India education corridor by Dr. Shanthi Johnson, President, Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute
3:30 - 3:50 p.m.SPEED DATING: 1 minute self introductions of attendees & what they would like to achieve (recruiting, partnerships, joint programming...) Interactive session with the audience & an opportunity to learn from and about each other.
3:50 - 4:20 p.m.DESSERT & NETWORKING BREAK
4:20 - 5:00 p.m.SESSION VII: Making ‘IMPACTS’: An overview by Dr. Nemkumar (Nemy) Banthia, Univ. of British Columbia of the new Canada-India Research Centre of Excellence announced by Hon. PM Stephen Harper in Nov 2012
5:00 - 6:30 p.m.COCKTAIL RECEPTION (1 drink incl.) Toast by Devinder Shory, MP & Co-Chair, Canada-India Parliamentary Association

October 4

9:30 - 10:00 a.m.NETWORKING (COFFEE/COOKIES)
10:00 - 10:10 a.m.Welcome back remarks by Husain F. Neemuchwala, CEO & Executive Director, CIEC
10:10 - 11:30 a.m.SESSION VIII: Career Colleges Canada: Examining their role, the pending legislative changes & their place in ‘Internationalization’ initiatives by National Association of Career Colleges (NACC)
11:30 - 12:30 p.m.WORKING LUNCH. Update on the Government’s ‘Internationalization’ plans & the ‘Education Consortium’ by Brad Butt, MP & Patrick Brown, MP & Co-Chair, Canada-India Parliamentary Association
12:30 - 12:45 p.m.VOTE of THANKS by Hon Kam Rathee, Vice-Chair, CIEC

CIEC has negotiated a special rate for delegates staying at the Hilton Garden Inn hotel, which will also provide complimentary airport transfers. To take advantage of the discounted hotel rate, reserve your room by clicking here.

For delegates arriving from India, CIEC is pleased to provide a 1 night FREE stay at the Hilton Garden Inn.

If you wish to attend this year’s much-lauded event, please register online today.

The theme of the 2013 ‘Synergy’ Conference is an “exchange of ideas” to further the interests of those already involved or contemplating involvement in the dynamic Canada-India education corridor.

Submit Your Proposal

Benefits of Sponsorship

Synergy Sponsorship is $2500 for the following benefits:

  • 2 event registrations (Value ~$800)
  • 1 VIP seat at lunch table
  • Logo on menu, agenda and screen (when not in use)
  • Recognition from the podium
  • Distribution of 1 piece of collateral/article or souvenir with event kit

Please contact CIEC for more information.

 

Payment Options:

  • Pay by Wire (Favour of: TD Canada Trust; SWIFT Code: TDOMCATTTOR; Branch/Transit: 15942; Bank/Institution: 004; Account: 15945220107)
  • Pay by cheque/bank draft/money order (Payable to: Canada India Education Council; Mailed to: First Canadian Place, 100 King Street West, 5700, Toronto, ON Canada M5X 1C7)

Please refer to the following information and useful links regarding entering Canada & obtaining a VISA – Courtesy of Citizenship and Immigration Canada:

Participants will need a valid passport or an appropriate travel document to enter Canada.

Citizens of the United States

US citizens should visit the Department of Homeland Security website for a list of acceptable documents to re-enter the US.

Citizenship and Immigration Canada

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/index.asp

Information on visiting Canada:

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/index.asp

Do you need a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) to visit Canada (see for list of countries):

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/visas.asp

Visiting Canada – Important information for visa exempt travellers (including US Citizens):

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/visa-exempt.asp

Where to send your application for a (TRV):

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/offices/apply-where.asp

Video Tutorial on completing the Temporary Resident Visa Application Form (IMM 5257)

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/department/media/multimedia/video/imm5257/imm5257.asp

Visa Offices outside of Canada:

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/offices/missions.asp

Visa application processing times:

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/times/temp/visitors.asp

* In order to avoid disappointments, applicants should submit their application as soon as possible.

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Academic, Agents, Business, Canada, CIEC Editorial, CIEC News, Culture, India, Job Market, Newsletter, Past Events, Politics, Students, V. 13 I. 10 - Oct 2013 Synergy

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PUBLIC NOTICE

To Whom It May Concern

While we are thankful to the many members we serve and are grateful for their support, it has come to our attention that a few 'Copy Cat' organizations have been hastily created to replicate our success. Such 'similar sounding' organizations have been ostensibly established in India and purport to give the impression that there is a causal, legal or business relationship with our duly organized and recognized, Canadian non-profit association, the CANADA INDIA EDUCATION COUNCIL (CIEC).

The activity of these Indian organizations have no sanction from us and their nefarious activities may be to the detriment of those dealing with them. Please take notice, any communication or contact with you will be through our legally established website, or via correspondence through, with or from, our Chairman Hon. Pierre J. Pettigrew PC; Vice-Chairman Kam Rathee, Esq or our CEO Husain F. Neemuchwala.

 

FOREWARNED IS FOREARMED.

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