A new report published by the Canadian International Council emphasizes the importance of Canada-India relations and provides recommendations for strengthening those ties.
A major policy recommendation outlined in the report is a proposal to build on Canada’s post-secondary linkages with India, which it says will increase the number of Indian students in post-secondary education institutions in Canada, as well as promote research partnerships.
The author of the report, Dr. Ryan Touhey, cited examples from other countries that have successfully recruited Indian students and suggested that Canada follow their lead.
The Canadian government, provinces and educational institutions “must work diligently to gather solid market intelligence about India, identify good quality higher education partners and cultivate relationships with reliable Indian faculty and capable students. By adopting these general practices, Canada can lay the foundation that will pay future dividends,” he said.
In the report, Touhey suggested that Canada increase its presence in the Indian education market, create and build on research partnerships between Canadian and Indian institutions, and create more scholarships for Indian students.
He said that welcoming more Indian students to Canada would help increase awareness of Canadian higher education options in India once those students return.
“It is a good bet that students who travel abroad commonly have a positive time in their host country and, once they return home act as ambassadors disseminating their experiences to friends, family and peers,” Touhey said.
There are currently 4,000 Indian students at Canadian education institutions.
The Canadian International Council is a research council that promotes multidisciplinary research and dialogue on international affairs and foreign policy issues. Ryan Touhey is at 2008-2009 Canadian International Council Fellow and a history professor at St. Jerome’s University in the University of Waterloo.
