July 13, 2005
Contact: Anne Russell
Phone 604-795-2826
Fax: 604-792-2388
E-mail: anne.russell@ucfv.ca
Indian High Commissioner supports UCFV’s CICSR
Canada could be doing more to improve trade relations with India, and the work of UCFV’s Centre for Indo-Canadian Studies and Research will help, said India’s High Commissioner to Canada, Her Excellency Shyamala Cowsik.
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Her Excellency Shyamala Cowsik, India's High Commissioner to Canada with UCFV VP Wayne Welsh. |
The High Commissioner was the keynote speaker at a luncheon event recently organized by the Canada–India Business Council (B.C. Chapter) in Vancouver. She observed how Canadian business had been remarkably slow in taking advantage of the Indian market and said that Canada should think of that market as a way of diversifying its foreign trade relations. The High Commissioner applauded UCFV’s recent initiatives and the creation of the Centre for Indo-Canadian Studies and Research. In her view, this is a very timely and important initiative.
“It is exactly what the doctor ordered,” she added. The proposed work of the Centre’s Regional Economic Development Chair on Canada–India Business and Economic Development responds to a real need to address some of the immediate obstacles to greater collaboration between Canadian and Indian businesses. India, she said, “has grown some global, competitive, and totally indigenous companies which would be excellent partners for Canadian businesses.”
Noting that the record of Canada–India trade exchanges is “pathetic,” the High Commissioner added that “there is nowhere to go but up.”
The High Commissioner also visited UCFV’s Abbotsford campus recently, where expressed her strong support to the Centre for Indo-Canadian Studies and Research. She said that the creation of the Centre at this time in the history of Canada–India relations is “serendipitous.”
The High Commissioner was accompanied by the General Consul of India in Vancouver. She met with members of UCFV senior management, faculty members, and the co-chairs of the Fundraising campaign for the CICSR to discuss how her office can best support the work of CICSR. She applauded UCFV’s leadership and expressed her appreciation of the support that the community has offered in moving forward with the creation of the new Centre and its research program.
UCFV also used the occasion of the High Commissioner’s visit to say goodbye to the Consul General of India to Vancouver, Dr. George Joseph.
Dr. Joseph has been very supportive of the CICSR and frequently offered his assistance in organizing events and facilitating various official visits to or from India. He will soon be leaving Vancouver for a new diplomatic post, as Ambassador of India to Qatar.
Dr. Wayne Welsh, UCFV Vice President Academic, UCFV Board Chair Rob Nicklom, and CICSR Campaign Chair Parm Bains took the opportunity offered by Dr. Joseph’s recent visit to UCFV’s Abbotsford campus to thank the Consul General on behalf of the CICSR and UCFV and to recognize his outstanding contribution to the Indo-Canadian community of B.C. and to UCFV’s various initiatives.
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