The announcement came at a roundtable for Canadian and Indian university presidents in the presence of the Honourable Gary Goodyear, Canada’s Minister of State (Science and Technology) and India’s Minister of Human Resource Development, the Honourable Kapil Sibal. This event is part of the historic Canadian university mission to India designed to forge mutually beneficial links between Canada and India – one of the world’s most dynamic economies. The visit is organized by the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC) and includes fifteen presidents from universities across Canada.

“We all recognize the importance of a deeper engagement with India, for the individual Canadian universities that form this delegation, and also more broadly for the entire Canadian higher education sector,” said Stephen J. Toope, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of British Columbia in making the announcement on behalf of the delegation. “The mission has been an effective catalyst, inspiring universities across Canada to create new awards for Indian students and form new partnerships with Indian universities and institutes.”

“Thanks to the leadership of our government, the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada and its member institutions, Canada is becoming a destination of choice for international research talent,” said Minister of State Goodyear. “We will continue to vigorously pursue the tremendous opportunities for scientists and businesses to conduct research and invest in innovation in Canada.”

The centrepiece of the package announced today is the Globalink Canada-India Graduate Fellowship Program which will provide up to fifty-one awards valued at more than $3.5 million for Indian students who have participated in the MITACS Globalink program in 2010, an initiative that brings Indian undergraduate students to Canada for summer research internships.

Eight Canadian universities – McMaster University, Simon Fraser University, The University of British Columbia, University of Ottawa, University of Toronto, University of Victoria, University of Waterloo and The University of Western Ontario – are providing funding for these new graduate fellowships.

The additional Canadian university investments in India come in the form of India-specific initiatives by participating universities including new scholarship programs for Indian students from The University of British Columbia, OCAD University, Queen’s University, University of Regina, Royal Roads University, Saint Mary’s University, Vancouver Island University and Wilfrid Laurier University, as well as funding for institutional partnerships for the University of Saskatchewan and the University of Manitoba.

“These new investments are a concrete demonstration of Canadian universities’ commitment to partnering with Indian universities and supporting Indian students in the spirit of international education,” says AUCC President Paul Davidson. “Higher education is essential to the advancement of our participation in the global knowledge economy – both for Canada and India. This type of academic cooperation and mobility facilitates that progress.”

The group will forge mutually beneficial links between Canada and one of the world’s most dynamic economies. The visit was organised by the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC) and includes 15 presidents from universities across Canada.

Over the course of seven days, they will participate in a series of targeted meetings with Indian educators, government officials and business leaders. The first major event will be a roundtable of Canadian and Indian University presidents to be joined by the Honourable Gary Goodyear, Canada’s Minister of State (Science and Technology) and India’s Minister of Human Resource Development, the Honourable Kapil Sibal.

Another key occasion will be the delegation’s participation in the higher education summit organised by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry. They plan to return to Canada with deeper connections that will lead to creative cooperation agreements, and leave behind an enhanced profile of Canada as a key player in the global knowledge economy.

Canada has been moving aggressively in recent years to step up cooperation with India, and the two countries have signed agreements in a number of areas, including in higher education. There are enormous potential benefits in this sector, and the mission is a coordinated attempt to tap into that potential.

“In this age of globalisation, it will be the formation of super-partnerships, rather than single superpowers, that will lead the way,” adds Dr. Indira Samarasekera, President of the University of Alberta who is also joining the delegation for a portion of the mission. “With a focus on education, energy, and entrepreneurship, Canada and India can lay the foundations of a formidable super-partnership.”

“Next year, 2011, has been designated Year of India in Canada,” notes Mr. Rana Sarkar, President and CEO of the Canada-India Business Council. “As they get to know India better, we hope Canadians will recognise the breadth, depth and permanence of the economic changes happening there, as well as its potential. In that context, more cooperation can only benefit both countries.”

The following universities are representing in India:

• University of Manitoba
• Wilfrid Laurier University
• University of Ontario Institute of Technology
• University of New Brunswick
• OCAD University
• Royal Roads University
• Saint Mary’s University
• Vancouver Island University
• Thompson Rivers University
• University of Regina
• University of British Columbia
• Dalhousie University
• University of Saskatchewan
• Queen’s University
• University of Alberta

To learn more about living and learning in Canada, why not read the i-studentadvisor Canada issue.

The University of Central Lancashire has become the first UK university to launch its own iPhone application for their students.

The application was created during the summer break specifically with freshers (first year students) in mind. Director of Learning and Information Services, Michael Aherne said “At the beginning of term you’re always being stopped by students asking for directions, now they’re going to have the information they need in their pockets”.

Amongst the applications features are:

• Campus maps

• Fast webmail access

• Comprehensive library catalogue

• Staff directory

• The option to top up students’ printing accounts

• Facility to book meeting rooms in the university libraries

• Access to student union services such as booking tickets for events

The application can be downloaded for free from the Apple App Store and is compatible with both the iPhone and the iPod Touch. These features, however are not limited to iPhone users, the package is also available to access online via laptops and other web-enabled mobile phones.

“The new iPhone application illustrates our commitment to provide information and services to our students in a way that is convenient for them. Students today lead very busy lives — balancing study, part-time work and social activities. The iPhone application demonstrates how UCLan is increasingly able to support its students in a way that recognises their busy lifestyles and ensures they are able to get the most from the latest advancements in technology,” Ahern said.

Although this is the first iPhone application of its kind in the UK, a similar application was launched earlier this year in Canada by the University of Saskatchewan. A video demonstration of the application, iUSask is available here.

“The way the iPhone technology is advancing is remarkable, especially in its affect on education,” said Adam, a Digital Media Development student from Brighton. “It is surprising how quickly these technologies are infiltrating into universities, it all helps make studying and university life easier, especially features such as accessing library directories and topping up printing accounts.”

More information on the University of Central Lancashire application is available on their website.

Described as a ‘mobile information resource for the University of Saskatchewan’, the app will also enable students to read campus news, view campus maps, access lists of classes for the day and even watch live webcams of the campus.

The application named the iUSask app will be launched in August, and should be available for students to use free at the start of the university year in September.

The application is the first of its kind in Canada and currently features twelve buttons for various functions. The University of Saskatchewan will soon be offering iPhone programming courses, which will also be a first for Canada.

For a demonstration of the iUSask app, click here.