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The Compelling Need For A Dedicated Council
- In spite of the long-standing cordial relations between India and Canada as well
as the size and importance of the Indian diaspora in Canada, educational linkages
between the two countries remain below potential. Significant efforts have been
devoted recently to expand and strengthen academic links in the post secondary sector,
however more needs to be done to effectively reach optimum potential.
- Indian student interest in postsecondary education is increasing at the same time
as Canadian community Colleges and Universities are seeking greater internationalization
and showing a keen interest in India. The time is therefore right to forge closer
links between Canadian institutions and their Indian counterparts, both in the area
of student recruitment and also in forging partnerships, affiliations, joint programming
and facilitating an exchange of faculty & scholars.
- It is anticipated that the creation of the Council will provide a solid basis for
increased cooperation between Canadian and Indian education institutions; further
internationalization of Canada's education sector and build on past successes
of synergetic models and add structure to loosely formed alliances & intermittent
Provincial and Federal initiatives in its engagement with India.
- Canada needs to create more awareness in India and reinforce 'Brand Canada'
while at the same time boost student interest from India in light of declining numbers
over the years due to fierce 'competition' from other countries. The economic
benefit which is realized when students come to study in Canada and the direct/
indirect cash injection into the economy is upwards of $6.5 billion.
- India's market opening is being monitored closely and highly anticipated. With
the successful passage of the bill through the Cabinet, which now works its way
through Parliament to become a law, CIEC will provide direction to Canadian universities
& colleges that want to establish campuses in India and help galvanize education
in India, particularly the post secondary sector.
- Institutionalizing an infrastructure in the form of a council would help formalize
collaborations between Canadian & Indian institutions which will encourage partnerships
and affiliations leading to growth of the Indian education system which has a huge
shortfall of quality education providers.
- It is anticipated that the CIEC will transform the “business as usual" approach
into a more meaningful and assertive strategy. There is no doubt that education
is a lynchpin and having proven year after year via our 'Synergy' events
that India needs to be paid attention to, CIEC will reach out to other stake holders
and those with an interest in achieving optimum potential in this sector. This not-for-profit
organization will become a key 'go to' organization and boldly launch initiatives,
lead meaningful missions that will continue to galvanize this 'education corridor'
which others have attempted and the success been intermittent.
- The Council's optimistic plan is to create initial momentum via a membership
campaign attracting various academic dimensions (colleges, universities, agents,
language schools and businesses among others) from both countries. Focusing solely
on the education sector, the CIEC will be different from other organizations which
demonstrate a 'one-size-fits-all' approach and/or are not exclusive to India
and/or may not have required 'on the ground' resources. The CIEC sees itself
as an extension to efforts made by other stake holders and those with an intimate
knowledge of and a keen interest in this area and makes a clarion call to other
organizations to work collectively and cohesively.
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