Canadian universities providing fellowships for Indian students

NEW DELHI - Eight Canadian universities have come together to provide graduate fellowships for top Indian students who wish to pursue a Masters or PhD in Canada.

The Globalink Canada-India Graduate Fellowship Program will provide up to 51 awards valued at over 3.5 million Canadian dollars for Indian students who have participated in the MITACS Globalink program in 2010.

According to a Canadian High Commission release, the MITACS Globalink program brings Indian undergraduate student to Canada for summer research internships. Participating students undertake a research project with a top Canadian faculty member while building connections with graduate students, researchers and companies.

Eight Canadian institutions - McMaster University, Simon Fraser University, University of British Columbia, University of Ottawa, University of Toronto, University of Victoria, University of Waterloo and University of Western Ontario - are providing fellowships.

Professor Stephen Toope, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of British Columbia, made the announcement yesterday in Delhi on behalf of the participating universities. Prof. Toope is in India as part of a delegation of universities presidents organized by the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada.

“This new fellowship program will help Canada to build stronger links with India,” said Dr. Arvind Gupta, Scientific Director of MITACS. “By connecting young researchers from around the world, we will improve the global economy.”

“The quality of India’s graduate students is a wonderful match for the quality of Canadian graduate education,” said Prof. Toope. “And both our countries can look forward to lasting and mutually beneficial relationships arising from this program.”

“The Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering at the University of Toronto looks forward to hosting some of India’s brightest young engineering minds,” said Chris Damaren, Vice-Dean, Graduate Studies, University of Toronto. “This will contribute to our strong desire to educate global engineers.”

“International engagement through research and training raises the standard of living around the world and better prepares students to play an influential role in the global marketplace,” says Ted Hewitt, Vice-President (Research and International Relations) at The University of Western Ontario. “To ensure our research continues to have global impact, we must make strategic investments in graduate training programs like the Globalink Canada-India Graduate Fellowship Program, which provide a dynamic exchange of ideas and expertise with some of India’s leading institutions.”

“University of Waterloo is delighted to be able to offer scholarships to these outstanding students, as part of our Sixth Decade goal of increased internationalization,” said Dr. Feridun Hamdullahpur, President and Vice-Chancellor, University of Waterloo. (ANI)