On May 17, 2019 the Canada India Education Council held their highly-anticipated Business of Education Summit in Vancouver, Canada. Their 3rd networking event in the province of British Columbia served as a great way to highlight opportunities for thought leaders in the International Education sector and interact with those active in India and Canada. Distinguished guests and speakers included government representatives as well as university presidents and senior administration.
CIEC thanks all Business of Education Summit 2019 sponsors, speakers, panelists and attendees for helping to make this year’s event a success. We hope the evening provided you with the chance to network with like-minded individuals while furthering the discussion of programs and policies in education that have been hailed as priorities.
Canadian educators have partnered with the National Skill Development Corporation of India to undertake part of the mammoth task of upskilling India’s youth population. With the NSDC responsible for training 150 million young people by 2022, this month it has signed 13 memoranda of understanding.
The MoUs, 12 of which with Canadian colleges as well as an umbrella MoU with Colleges and Institutes Canada, will facilitate collaborations for skill development in a variety of different sectors, including water, aviation and hydrocarbon.
The agreements were endorsed by both Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the latter’s visit to Canada last week, the first in 42 years.
In 2009, under the National Policy on Skill Development in India, a target to train 500 million people before 2022 was set and the NSDC has been charged with training 150 million.
Cynthia Murphy, director of the Canadian Immigrant Integration Programme at Colleges and Institutes Canada, told The PIE News that with the looming deadline, development under these MoUs is moving very quickly.
“We all know of MoUs that are signed that don’t have a lot of activity – that’s not happening with this group,” she said.
“The NSDC is incredibly motivated and keen to get work happening under these MoUs. Each institution set its own goals within its own sector, but the time frame is of the essence.”
According to CIC figures, last year Canadian colleges and institutes hosted more than 8,000 Indian students– more than the number at universities, language schools, primary and secondary schools combined.
Education in general was one of the key areas that both Prime Ministers agreed to prioritise for bilateral engagement.
Canada also listed India as one of the priority countries to work with in its international education strategy last year.
Modi’s visit followed trips to Germany and France where he signed a two-year residence permit for Indian graduates with French president Francois Holland.
Murphy said that while on this trip Modi connected with the diaspora, but also with business and industry.
“It’s very much about building partnerships in several key sectors, and education being one of them,” she said. “It’s on the government’s agenda, it’s one of the priorities listed, and it is incredibly important to both countries.”
Despite the initial momentum of the collaborations, Husain Neemuchwala, CEO of the Canada-India Education Council said Modi has a lot to prove in the face of India’s upskilling needs.
“The government has only been in power for the past ten months or so,” he commented. “I think there’s tremendous scope and lots to demonstrate the intent as well as the ability to get things accomplished.”
He added: “I think there’s a lot to undertake at this point to demonstrate that they are able and capable and they mean what they say.”
India and Canada have signed two different memorandum of understanding (MoUs) for skill development in the apparel sector, the apex apparel exporters body, Apparel Export Promotion Council, (AEPC) said in a statement today.
The agreements were signed during the recent visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Canada.
Dr A Sakthivel, Chairman Apparel, Made-Ups & Home Furnishing Sector Skill Council (AMH SSC) signed an MoU with Bruce Wilson, President, Fanshawe College, Canada for transfer of expertise in the field of Training of Trainers and other fields.
The MoU envisages greater cooperation between the Canadian partner and AMH SSC, whereby, Fanshawe College will share their expertise in the training of trainers and other fields in the skilling process.
This will result in availability of larger number of Quality Master Trainers which in turn, will ensure quality training in skilling in the apparel sector.
Dr Sakthivel also signed another MoU with Husain F Neemuchwala of the Canada India Education Council (CIEC) to access expertise in the field of skilling in the apparel sector.
Academic relations between Canada and India are at an all time high and yet education linkages remain well below potential. This is despite the trailblazing work being done against the backdrop of cordial relations between our two countries; the size and growing importance of the Indian ‘Diaspora’ in Canada and significant efforts devoted in recent years to strengthening academic linkages in this exciting sector. After observing India’s keen interest in reaching out ‘Internationally’ and the capacity gap ‘widening’, Canada India Education Council (CIEC) was founded in 2010 by bringing together 15 academic & non-academic organizations in Canada.
Since our creation, CIEC has gradually evolved into a valuable bridge between Canada & India and is poised to soon become the “go to” organization for Canada-India academic relations. CIEC is one of only a few organizations offering critical ‘on the ground’ presence in both countries and helps Institutions position themselves advantageously in an increasingly competitive environment. CIEC combines corporate governance with the benefits of a public-private partnership balanced with an entrepreneurial methodology to remain independent and yet be financially sustainable.
CIEC has invested countless hours and resources in paving the way for academics, organizations, governments and other stakeholders to collectively work with each other and have helped lay the foundation for smooth academic relationships and exchanges. We are proud of our accomplishments in this short span but also realize that we have only just begun to scratch the surface. Besides planning delegations, organizing missions (recruiting & otherwise) and hosting our flagship annual ‘Synergy’ Conference for over 6 years, there remains much more to do and many opportunities to be seized.
As CIEC opens its Membership ranks to Institutions across Canada and India we invite select Colleges | Universities and interested Corporations to join us as we enhance ties and create opportunities for academic institutions and learners from both countries. Members will have an opportunity to network with each other and showcase themselves and their institutions in this vibrant and burgeoning Canada-India education corridor.
Your CIEC Membership will also serve as yet another way to profile your Institutions programs, commitments and initiatives in this vibrant ‘corridor’ and with thought provoking discussions led by experts from both countries via our weekly newsletter (reaching over 19,000 academics and thought leaders from both countries), members can highlight recent developments, new programs, dialogue on emerging opportunities, stimulate thought and discuss new initiatives and ideas. CIEC’s highly penetrative and potent network reaches academic champions from both countries, high level government representatives and policy makers besides key Canadian & Indian Colleges and Universities.
Being mindful of shrinking budgets, CIEC’s ‘Membership fee’ is a nominal $200/month which we hope will allow for broader participation and create a greater value proposition for Members.
CIEC members will enjoy*:
• ‘Rep’ office(s) in India and Canada
• Tile or logo (clickable link) & a banner on CIEC’s website (if available) in Media campaigns in both countries
• Access to CARE (Canadian Academic Advisors Representing Excellence) – CIEC’s exclusive ‘Agent’ Membership category
• Discounted Registration fee at CIEC signature events (Annual Synergy Networking Conference in Canada & on delegations to India)
• One-call telephone number for Members & ‘On the ground’ presence in both countries
• Access to CIEC’s vast and expanding corporate and academic network
• Access to market intelligence and identifying leads in ‘market development’
• Advice on logistics and support in planning visits and meetings in either country
CIEC invites you to join us as we work together to create a win-win situation and by building on past successes, we look forward to a promising future. The budget friendly Membership fee of $100/month will not only demonstrate your interest in reaching out to key academic leaders from other institutions but also afford access to exclusive ‘Member only’ events and enable hosting visiting delegations on your campus.
CIEC is a bi-national, bi-partisan, independent, event-driven, membership-based organization established to operate exclusively in the ‘Canada India education corridor’, enhance ties and create opportunities for academic institutions and learners from both countries.
To become a Member and be counted as a leader and be visible in this dynamic and growing sector, click here to get started. We look forward to working with you.
Kind regards,
Hon. Pierre S Pettigrew, PC Prof Roseann O’Reilly Runte, President & Vice Chancellor, Chair-CIEC Carleton University Academic Advisor-CIEC
CIEC presents two new member benefits for our academic & corporate members:
Activity or event postings in the newly-launched newsletter ‘Disha,’ reaching 19 000 key education stakeholders, more information below;
Academic Members can partake in our ‘Virtual Campus Tours‘ (exclusive to members) by submitting 5 – 10 images of their academic institution, more information below.
Activity & Event Posting in ‘Disha’
CIEC invites academic, agent and corporate members to submit up to three activities or events per month (recruiting trips/travelling delegates, new programs/start dates, job postings) for free as an exclusive membership benefit. Contributions will be posted in the much-lauded, monthly ‘Disha’ (Direction) e-newsletter reaching the CIEC database of 19 000 education stakeholders. CIEC now also promotes member and non-member events free-of-charge on the CIEC website, the live ‘Disha’ blog, and the ‘Disha’ newsletter. Interested institutions are asked to send a logo, introductory paragraph and website link to include in the ‘Partner Events’ section of ‘Disha.’ Please send your postings to [email protected].
‘Virtual Campus Tours’
CIEC has also launched ‘Virtual Campus Tours,’ and invites academic members to send 5 – 10 images of their institutions with short captions (may include links to more information). ‘Virtual Tours’ will be linked to from the members profile as well as the newly-unveiled ‘Student’ section of the CIEC website. Suggested photos include:
shots of major campus buildings
highlights of any special features of the college such as state of the art research facilities or cultural landmarks
stills of city life and surrounding area as well as social clubs, student groups, international student accommodation, and activities on campus
Interested institutions can send their photos and corresponding captions (if applicable) to [email protected] with ‘Virtual Tours’ in the subject line.
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.
TORONTO: With Canada not being the favourite destination for Indian students going for higher education abroad, Ottawa needs to take some immediate steps to tap this lucrative market for its educational institutions.
Speaking as Vice-‐Chairman of the Canada-‐India Education Council, I would mention the five points that need to be considered for promoting Canada as a destination for Indian students.
On top of the list is the need to improve “Brand Canada” in India. Among the top four or five countries that attract most of Indian students, Canada has always been the weakest brand after the US, UK and Australia.
Now since in the case of the UK, there are problems related to immigration and fees issues and in the case of Australia Indian students have security issues, I think Canada has a golden opportunity to market itself as an educational destination in India. Though the numbers of Indian students coming to Canada has increased over the last two to three years, it still has a long way to go.
Secondly, fees for foreign students are very high in this country. In fact, Canada charges three times more fees from foreign students than local students for imparting the same education and handing out the same diplomas and degrees. In 2010, there were 218,000 foreign students in Canada of which 17,530 came from India – 4,640 as university students and 10,560 as post-‐secondary students. Most of them come from Indian middle class families and find it difficult to meet their expenses. A reduction in fees to two times that charged from local students will induce more Indian students to come to Canada. In fact, educational institutions can make more money if they increase their intake.
Thirdly, Canada’s federal government needs to play a more active role. In Canada, education is a provincial matter with no significant federal role in it. But foreign students pumped more than $ 8 billion into the Canadian economy in 2010 and supported 86,000 jobs. Despite this, for some strange reasons, education is still not seen as an economic activity – an export commodity and a business enterprise for which foreign students pay three times more than local students. The federal government needs to get involved with the provinces and treat education as a business, with relevant support given to this sector from tax and other perspectives in mind. Education, being a trade, should be subject to free trade agreements, particularly the one that is being negotiated with India.
Fourthly, Canada needs to make education employment and profession oriented so that the fruits of it are clear to those seeking to come here. Canada is turning into a service economy and losing its place as a major manufacturing player. Foreign students coming to Canada are forced to leave as they cannot use their education for a career or employment here. Though this is changing on account of the two-‐ year post graduation work visas being available, it is still tough to secure employment for foreign students notwithstanding the fact that they have obtained a Canadian degree or diploma. There needs to be a program under which the institution enrolling students from India should have an obligation to assist them in getting meaningful employment on completion of their education.
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.
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.
