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.