Canadian Consul General hails GNDU research works

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, January 16

Mia Yen, Consul General of Canada in Chandigarh, visited Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU) for strategic collaborations between the university and the Embassy of Canada in the field of higher education and research.

Mia was impressed by the world-class breakthroughs in the field of science and technology being made by the university. She said that most of the Canadians would be very much interested in these innovations and there was a need to spread a word about the great work being done at the GNDU.

She expressed her happiness over the high research focus and diverse academic programmes carrying research on areas like sports sciences, medicine, pharmaceutical sciences, chemistry, drug design, architecture, planning, biotechnology etc. in the GNDU.

Earlier, she was welcomed by Vice-Chancellor Dr Jaspal Singh Sandhu. He updated her on how research was advancing scientific understanding and changing lives around the world.

The meeting has provided a big scope with government focusing on a strong Indo-Canadian strategic partnership, particularly in the field of higher education and research.

He anticipated that this was the beginning of a long-term collaboration, having students from the GNDU come to Canada and Canadian students coming to India and launching of exciting professional development programmes. Discussions were held to launch dual degree programmes for master’s and doctoral students.

According to Dr Preet Mohinder Singh Bedi, coordinator, University Industry Linkage Programme, it was a new milestone for the university as we host the Canadian Consul General on the campus for a significant global agenda in higher education.

Bilateral relations between India and Canada are of a great significance for the continuous growth of both countries. Both parties have agreed to support emerging partnership in the context of the MoU and to consider additional areas of alliance in higher education, research and innovation, new scholarship schemes and skill development. Both sides agreed that being multicultural, multilingual and multi-religious societies, India and Canada can contribute to creating a more interconnected and diverse world.

He said the university would sign MoU with the Canadian Government in the field of higher education and research. The MoU will cover the scope of interaction among members of faculty relating to joint research projects, visits for such purposes and when necessary, joint applications for research funding from external funding agencies.

It was also agreed that officials from both sides will hold further discussions to develop the early draft framework of Indo-Canadian education partnership.

Later, she paid obeisance at the Golden Temple.