A delegation of 15 Canadian university presidents returned from India Nov. 15 after a week-long mission to foster educational co-operation between the two countries. The mission, organized by the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada, entailed a series of meetings with Indian educators, government officials and business representatives. “There’s no doubt that [India’s] growth means it’s an emerging economic powerhouse,” said Robert White, senior political analyst at the AUCC. “It also means there will be growth in education systems.”
U.S. State Department statistics show one-third of India’s population is under age 15, meaning in several years the country will be a significant market for educational institutions worldwide.
Recently, Kapil Sibal, Indian Minister of Human Resource Development, helped spearhead the Indian Foreign Education Providers bill, opening India’s doors to higher-quality foreign educational institutions. White said. As a result of a Nov. 9 roundtable among university presidents from both countries, a series of scholarships for Indian students interested in a Canadian education was developed.
The delegation’s focus was not simply about recruitment, White explained. “It’s also about innovative approaches to partnering and creating global networks.”
Carleton University did not send a representative on this mission, but has pursued independent collaboration with India, according to Carleton’s president, Roseann Runte.
None of the participants in the AUCC delegation, which included University of Alberta president Indira Samarasekera and UBC president Stephen Toope, could be reached for comment at press time. Representatives of the schools said they were still out of the country.