GTU – Canada India Education Council

Source: Gujarat Technological University Press Release | July 2, 2014

On 18^th June, 2014 GTU honored His Excellency Mr. Steward Beck, High Commissioner of Canada to India at Hotel Courtyard Marriott where a small gathering was organized as a part of his farewell visit to Ahmedabad. GTU initiated its first international experience program with University of Alberta, Canada in the year 2011. Visa Denial can restrict such program to grow. Since 2011 most of the students were granted visa to fly to Canada for IEP. GTU honored High Commissioner of Canada to India for his support and contribution towards the development of the International Experience Program of GTU.

On the occasion Dr. Akshai Aggarwal, Vice Chancellor of GTU said that His Excellency Mr. Steward Beck has always been very pro-active in contributing to the success of GTU IEP. First the Deputy High Commissioner visited GTU and interacted with the students, who wanted to go to Canada. Then H.E. Mr. Steward Beck personally visited GTU. Dr Aggarwal said that GTU was thankful to H.E. Mr. Steward Beck for his constant support in the development of GTU’s IEP.

Presently 194 students of GTU are in foreign universities for the 8 week education program. 98 Students have gone to Laurentian University in Canada, 44 students have gone to Wismar University, Germany while 52 students are studying at Kansas State University in USA. All the students went to foreign universities between 12^th to 14^th June 2014 and their classes started from Monday, 16^th June 2014 in respective campuses.

During the IEP students learn 2 of the subject and also appear in the mid-semester exams of the subjects they studied in a foreign university. GTU credit those marks to the respective students in their semester result. Students don’t only attend the classes during IEP but also go for industrial visits. Exposure to the different educational system, climate, place and culture all together provide a unique opportunity for students to learn.

Since 2011, GTU’s International Experience Program has provided an opportunity to study in foreign Universities for the GTU students. In association with German, Canadian and American Universities GTU’s IEP has turned out to be India’s largest International Experience Program. In the year 2013, GTU also signed MoU with Sias University, China for IEP.

Quotes from Students

Jainam Mehta has gone to Laurentian University, Canada. During the interview he said that he is the first one from his family going abroad. He said that I want to explore to have a new experience in the world so I decided to go to Canada IEP. I have decided to focus on my studies over there and also to explore places.

Another student named Ekta was all excited to go to KSU. She said that I did not sleep on the night previous to departure due to the excitement. I have heard a lot about the advance education system at KSU from the last year IEP students, which tempted me to go to the IEP at KSU. My Mom is worried as I have never travelled without her, but is happy also as this is a great opportunity.

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.