Indian institutes on Canadian radar

After spreading its wings in China, the Canadian education system is now looking at India.

Thirteen international academic tie-ups are in the offing. Some of the top-ranked universities from Canada, like the University of Montreal, York University, Concordia, University of Toronto and Simon Fraser University have shown interest in fostering partnerships with Indian institutes.

The interest was kindled when a delegation of 22 colleges from the region of Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka and Kerala -- led by the Maharashtra Economic Development Council (MEDC) in co-operation with the Consulate General of Canada on an education mission in September -- set out to find Canadian education partners for joint programmes, research and faculty exchanges in the sectors of animation, pharma/life sciences, aviation, engineering and management.

And the results are here to see. Seneca College from Canada is aggressively seeking partners in India. So far, it has tied-up with three institutes: Whistling Woods International for their Animation Programme, SNDT university and with Chetana College of Management for a post-graduate programme in logistics. Seneca is now planning around five more academic collaborations.

Among other Indian institutes seeking a tie-up are the Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies with Schulic School of Business for its masters in life sciences programme; The K J Somaiya Institute of Management Studies and Research with Seneca and Ryerson University in retail marketing and Institute of Management Technology, Nagpur, with University of Montreal for its MBA programme.

These institutes will bring in technology and software and expertise in the required field of study and seek campus facility with the Indian college. Says Gulab G Mewani, delegation head from MEDC, "India has the best of brains and technology, it is only a little upgradation that is required. Such collaborations help one know what's happening in international market and in turn help the Indian institutions work on upgradation."

Programmes in IT and Animation are the most sought after by Indian students going to study in Canada to pursue undergraduate courses. Around 80 per cent of animation and special effects software in the world is Canadian. At the graduate and post-graduate levels, engineering and management courses score. In 2005-2006, over 2,000 visas have been issued to Indians for studying in Canada.

The Consulate General of Canada in Mumbai has also planned initiatives to help grow visibility of Canadian educational institutes at the grassroots level by approaching the schools and colleges and give lectures on Canadian education.

"Canada is the best kept secret in terms of higher education. We want to be increasingly present in India. Besides the IITs and IIMs there are institutes which have developed good reputation and are doing well in the field of education and we would like to get in to partnerships with them," said Annie Dube, consul general of Canada in Mumbai.