Alberta has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute to strengthen ties between post-secondary institutions in Alberta and India.
(L-R) Dr. Pavneesh Madan, Vice President and President Elect, Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute joins Minister Demetrios Nicolaides to sign the memorandum of understanding.
Alberta's economy has momentum. The province is focused on even more job creation and diversification and will continue to be the economic engine of Canada. New international partnerships help attract even more skilled newcomers and families to Alberta.
The Shastri-Indo-Canadian Institute provides new opportunities for students in Canada and India. The MOU will allow for post-secondary institutions - PSIs -- in Alberta and India to collaborate with one another and share knowledge more easily through new research partnerships, professional development opportunities, and engagement with students and faculty.
"Alberta already has strong ties to India, so making it easier for our post-secondary sectors to work together makes perfect sense. Through this agreement with the Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute, we'll be able to build an enhanced network between our respective PSIs, creating more opportunities for knowledge and culture exchange. I'm excited to see where this new partnership leads for India and Alberta."
Demetrios Nicolaides, Minister of Advanced Education
"This MOU is a key step towards creating a productive relationship between Alberta and the Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute. Our government is laser focused on strategic immigration that will assist in addressing Alberta's skilled labour shortages, and this agreement is paramount in attracting highly skilled newcomers to our province. Partnerships like this can also help garner strong cultural relationships, and foster important multicultural connections."
Rajan Sawhney, Minister of Trade, Immigration and Multiculturalism
"We at the Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute are really excited that this MOU will further augment the co-operation between Alberta's universities, community colleges, and polytechnics with India through knowledge mobilization, institutional partnership building, professional development, and engagement with students and faculty supporting cutting edge research."
Dr. Pavneesh Madan, vice president and president elect, Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute
While the MOU will expand academic and research opportunities between Alberta and India, it also outlines several priorities for PSIs in both jurisdictions to focus on, including:
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enhancing Alberta's international student recruitment strategies to attract more newcomers from India
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promoting Alberta-India education cooperation and collaboration
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supporting missions and visits between PSIs in Alberta and India.
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engaging industry in Alberta and India to support the Government of Alberta's international education and employment goals.
The terms of the agreement are in effect for two years, with the opportunity to extend for an additional two years.
The Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute is a bi-national organization mandated by the governments of India and Canada to promote, facilitate, and nurture academic linkages, collaborations and exchanges, research partnerships, and networks on bi-national corridors. It is funded by the Government of India's Ministry of Education and supports disciplines across all post-secondary education.
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