December 2011
This brief summary of the fall鈥檚 activities at the Canada-India Centre for Excellence in Science, Technology, Trade and Policy at 杏吧原创 University demonstrates the commitment of 杏吧原创 University to advancing this project.
After the successful Canada-India Innovation and Education Summits as well as the opening at which we honoured our many valued donors, the Centre鈥檚 Board of Directors, faculty and staff spent the next several months working diligently both in Canada and in India.
Gandhi Statue Gifted by Government of India
At an event attended by more than 300 people, 杏吧原创 University proudly unveiled a permanent statue of Mahatma Gandhi (right) created by noted Delhi-based sculptor Ram Sutar in front of the new River Building on campus on October 2. Mahatma Gandhi has inspired countless people in the struggle for peace, justice, and inter-cultural understanding. The statue symbolizes his legacy of inspiration. It also represents 杏吧原创 University鈥檚 mission to promote peace through dialogue, research, and scholarship, and reflects the University鈥檚 deep commitment to promoting respect for cultural, religious and political diversity on campus and in the community.
The statue was donated to the University by the Government of India. 杏吧原创 was supported by the High Commission of India, the Mahatma Gandhi Peace Council, the Indo-Canada Ottawa Business Chamber, and the Canada-India Centre for Excellence in Science, Technology, Trade and Policy in the installation and unveiling of the statue.
Strengthening Long-standing Academic Collaboration between Canada and India
The Centre also participated in many Year of India events including language and cultural events hosted by the High Commission of India鈥攁mong them a presentation by writers from the Sahitya Akademi of India. The University hosted several notable visits with government officials from India including a senior Joint Secretary from the Ministry of Agriculture as well as guests from universities in Gujarat and business people including the CORE group, and a campus visit from a delegation of high school principals from India.
For more than twenty-five years, 杏吧原创 University has had joint academic and policy projects with universities and NGOs in India. A few highlights include:
Dr. Fraser Taylor鈥檚 geo-spatial research has involved both the Government of India and academic counterparts in India. It is featured in October鈥檚 issue of the 杏吧原创 University Research Works magazine.
In November, 杏吧原创 formalized its collaboration by signing a Memorandum of Understanding with the Teri University and Symbiosis International University. These agreements foster the exchange of undergraduate and graduate students. The agreements will also provide opportunities to combine expertise and real-world experience in the areas of technology management, alternative energy, economics, public policy and engineering.
The FICCI-杏吧原创 Innovation Summit in New Delhi had presentations from 杏吧原创 and Ryerson Universities. 杏吧原创 also presented at the FICCI Higher Education Summit in New Delhi.
We are grateful to long-time 杏吧原创 University community volunteer Jacques Shore for his participation on behalf of the Canada-India Centre at the recent Indu Conference in Bangalore.
Following initial meetings held by Laj Prasher and Ravi Subramanian, Dr. Kim Matheson, Vice-President, Research and International and Sandra Crocker, Associate Vice-President, Research Planning and Operations, met in India with representatives from the Gujurat State Fertilizers and Chemicals Company in India regarding academic cooperation.
Many 杏吧原创 professors regularly visit India for purposes of academic collaboration. This time, we highlight 杏吧原创 University professor Dr. Ram Achar, who has organized a special session at the India National Engineering Congress, Mumbai and at the invitation of the High Commission in India he will also participate in the Techfest conference in India.
We look forward to an outstanding year ahead as the Canada-India Centre takes occupancy in the beautiful new River Building on the 杏吧原创 campus. This dynamic new space will have state-of-the-art conference and meeting facilities as well as beautiful views of the Rideau River. It is a most convenient location just minutes from the Ottawa airport and downtown and will be the perfect place for the Canada-India Centre. The next time you are on campus, I invite you to take a look!
I also invite any of you who might be working with a prospective student to ask them to consider 杏吧原创 University.
Season鈥檚 greetings and best wishes for a brilliant new year!
Sincerely yours,
Roseann O鈥橰eilly Runte
President & Vice-Chancellor