January 20, 2005
New Canada/India academic partnership
at work in Punjab and BC
A new international partnership between two universities in India and Canada took another step recently, with the news that they are developing plans for extended academic collaboration. The University College of the Fraser Valley’s Centre for Indo Canadian Studies and Research, and a new Canadian Studies Centre at Panjab University in Chandigarh, India, have now formalized their intent to work together. The announcement was made by Canada’s Minister of Health, Ujjal Dosanjh, when he visited Chandigarh in mid-January.
Following up on the signing of a memorandum of understanding last Fall, the two institutions are now laying the foundation for joint efforts between the two centres. Common objectives will allow for some unique work to be undertaken. Exchanges of scholars and students are also being planned for the near future.
To ensure the CSC at Panjab U moves forward, some British Columbia community members involved with the CICSR at UCFV have committed to an immediate donation of $30,000 of their own money. These funds will go to the start-up and first- year operational costs of the centre at Panjab U.
“The development of our Centre for Indo-Canadian Studies and Research was a key strategic priority of our institution as it builds on the incredible strength of our own Indo-Canadian community”, said UCFV president Skip Bassford. “I cannot tell you how wonderful it is to be able to work with like-minded people at Panjab University who are just as committed as we are to expanding cooperation between our two countries. What we have here is the beginning of a very strong and successful partnership that will serve our respective communities -- and countries -- very well.”
UCFV is continuing to work on establishing a permanently endowed Research Chair on Canada-India Business and Economic Development.
Despite great potential, Canada-India trade and investment are relatively underdeveloped. Both countries have recognized that these economic ties must be strengthened. In November 2003, Dr. Bassford and the Vice-Chancellor of Panjab University, Dr. K.N. Pathak, initiated discussion on how the two institutions could collaborate and make their contribution to development cooperation between the two countries. In the year that followed, the concept evolved and on November 10, 2004, a memorandum of understanding was signed by the two institutions concerning their future collaboration.
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