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Dear Friends,

I am happy to update you on the many accomplishments of the Canada-India Centre at 杏吧原创 University.

I visited India in February and was privileged to meet with industry leaders from MindTree, TaraSpan, Biocon, Tata, and CORE Group and with members of the government including: Kapil Sibal, Minister of Human Resource Development and Communications & Information Technology; Rajendra K Tiwari, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture; Farooq Abdullah, Minister of New and Renewable Energy; R. Chidambaram, Principal Scientific Advisor to the Prime Minister and Ajit Kumar Seth, Cabinet Secretary. I also signed a number of important MOU鈥檚 for the Centre including FICCI, IISc, and IIT Bombay.

Dr. Lina Kalfayan joined 杏吧原创 as the Director of Operations at the Canada-India Centre for Excellence. Prior to joining 杏吧原创, Lina served as the Senior Advisor in the Office of Sponsored Research at McGill University and as the Director of the IAIN Indonesia Social Equity Project, a bilateral, multi-million dollar, higher education capacity development program funded by the governments of Canada and Indonesia. Lina has a long involvement with NGO work in India. We are most fortunate indeed to have her with us!

Dr. L.K. Maheshwari was appointed as the Scientific Advisor on Canada-India relations to the Vice-President (Research & International) at 杏吧原创 University. Dr. Maheshwari is Professor Emeritus and Advisor to Chancellor of the Birla Institute of Technology and Science at Pilani, and has a distinguished career as a scientist and as former vice-chancellor of BITS-Pilani. Dr. L.K. Maheshwari was at 杏吧原创 throughout the month of April and continues to work with us to nurture meaningful partnerships between the university and various like-minded individuals and institutions in India.

This Spring, 杏吧原创 welcomed 5 Commonwealth scholars working in the area of computer science (4) and chemistry (1) who will be conducting research in their respective disciplines at 杏吧原创 until the Fall 2012 term. These scholars come to us from our Indian partner institutions, Anna University (Chennai), IISc (Bangalore), Indian Statistical Institute (Kolkata), BITS-Pilani, and TIFR (Mumbai) under DFAIT鈥檚 Canadian Commonwealth Scholarship Program. We thank Drs. A. Maheshwari and P. Sundararajan for their exceptional leadership in this initiative.

As part of their Canada tour, fifteen high ranking officials from the Indian National Defense College (NDC) participated in a tailor-made seminar organized by 杏吧原创鈥檚 Norman Paterson School of International Affairs (NPSIA), now housed at our newly completed River Building.

In May, we were happy to receive the Board Chair of Jai Hind College (Mumbai), Mr. Chandru Thadhani who met with the leadership team at Sprott School of Business to discuss academic program collaborations. In June, we also received the management team of the CORE International Institute of Higher Education who visited 杏吧原创 to discuss details of an emerging partnership with the Faculty of Engineering.

The Centre also hosted two high profile events. On May 22nd, Dr. Pramod Deo, Chairperson, India Central Electricity Regulatory Commission offered a public lecture followed by a roundtable on the challenges and opportunities in the power sector in India. On June 11th, Dr. Shekhar Shah, Director-General, National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER, New Delhi) offered a public lecture entitled 鈥淐an India end poverty in a generation?鈥� This event took place at IDRC headquarters in downtown Ottawa and was co-hosted by IDRC and the Canada-India Centre for Excellence. Both events were attended by representatives of the public and private sectors, as well as researchers and students from 杏吧原创 University and the University of Ottawa. Dr. Hari Nagarajan, Senior Fellow at NCAER, addressed a graduate economics class at 杏吧原创 and engaged the students in a lively discussion on the topic 鈥淒oes Democracy Matter?鈥� [in improving rural economic welfare].

Our India Resource Centre and Library has been enriched with a donation of hundreds of books and audiovisual material from the High Commission of India and individual donors. The centre now houses a collection of books related to India – from arts and culture to foreign policy. We especially thank Mrs. Chauhan for facilitating this gift.

On June 10th, Canada-India Centre Board member Mr. Sudhir Handa, and his wife, Mrs. Ruth Harper received 杏吧原创鈥檚 Leadership in Philanthropy Award at the 2012 Summer Social. This award is presented annually to an individual, family, association, corporation or foundation who, through financial support and outstanding leadership, has had a significant impact on the success of the university and has advanced the quality of life at 杏吧原创 University through their commitment.

I realize that Mr. Handa and Mrs. Harper do not seek recognition. It was thus extremely gracious of them to accept this award with the goal of inspiring others to join them in supporting the Centre.

I am also happy to report that Mr. Lajpat Prasher, Board Member, Canada-India Centre for Excellence, became a Founding Member of the International Advisory Council for Olds College, Alberta.

Please join me in congratulating them on their recent achievements and tireless involvement in supporting communities across Canada.

Sincerely yours,

Roseann O鈥橰eilly Runte
President & Vice-Chancellor

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

Professor Fraser Taylor鈥檚 work with colleagues from India in the area of geomatics has led to the articulation of a new MOU to be signed this fall.

Professor Anil Maheshwari鈥檚 successful application to DFAIT has brought two postdoctoral students from India to work with him in the area of computing science.

The Surabhi Foundation for Research & Cultural Exchange interviewed and videoed the 杏吧原创 President as part of a series of ten films on Indian Diaspora including one focused on Indian Diaspora in Canada.

Professor Jay Drydyk was invited to New Delhi this fall to collaborate on a project at Delhi University.

Professor Sukeshi Kamra is working with the Deputy High Commission of India to bring a series of writers from India to campus this fall.

Board members Mr. Barj Dhahan and Mr. Sarup Mann established contact in India with several institutions in the Punjab.

Centre Board member Mr. Lajpat Prasher and founding member Mr. Ravi Subramanian will be meeting with Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi regarding Centre business. Mr. Prasher and Mr. Subramanian also have a meeting in the second week of September with Mr. Bikram Singh Majithia, a highly influential cabinet minister in the Punjab.

Successful Innovation and Education Summits were held in June and reports are available on the website at www.carleton.ca/india. The next conference will be held in New Delhi on November 2-3 in collaboration with FICCI and the High Commission of Canada in India.

杏吧原创鈥檚 2010 enrolment of new and returning students hailing from India has increased by 6.2% over 2009 and has increased 22% since 2003.

The following persons became founding members of the Centre Board:

• Narinder Chauhan, Deputy High Commissioner, High Commission of India
• Barj S. Dhahan, CEO, Sandhurst Holdings, Vancouver (pictured, at left)
• Nishith Goel, CEO, Cistel Technology, Ottawa
• Sudhir Handa, Founder & CEO, Proflange Ltd., Toronto (pictured, at right)
• Sushil Handa, Partner, Consultation Inforgenie, Montreal
• Dr. Pradeep Merchant, Site Chief, Neonatology Division, The Ottawa Hospital (pictured, centre)
• Sarup Mann, President, Ansatel Communications, Vancouver
• Kim Matheson, Vice-President, Research and International, 杏吧原创 University
• Andre Plourde, Dean, Faculty of Public Affairs, 杏吧原创 University
• Lajpat Rai Prasher, President and CEO, Tortel Communications, Toronto
• Roseann O鈥橰eilly Runte, President and Vice-Chancellor, 杏吧原创 University (ex officio)

Message from the President

Multidimensional and multidisciplinary, our Centre is moving forward in many areas and establishing exchanges, collaborative research projects with universities in Canada and India, as well as important linkages with businesses working in both nations. The work of the Centre this past year has been impressive. Two major, bi-lateral summits have made strong contributions to our knowledge of each other, strengthened our networks and ties, and offered positive steps to building an international climate of innovation and to encouraging the exchange of students, faculty members, and researchers. Important visits of educational, political and business leaders, cultural figures, and researchers have facilitated the elaboration of a number of unique exchange programs which build on the strengths of each institution.

The Centre鈥檚 Board held its first meeting on August 15 and reviewed activities to date, settled on priorities, a schedule for future meetings and began plans to invite a major speaker in the spring.

At the ceremonial event on August 15, donors to the Centre (pictured at right) were recognized and those present, along with the Board members, enjoyed a tour of the soon-to-be opened facility. While hard hats were still required, the walls have been installed and await drywall, taping and painting.

As contractors diligently employ their skills to complete the building, researchers are working to bring solutions to matters of international importance. By sharing expertise from Canada and India we will not only improve the lives and livelihoods of people in Canada and India but we will, together, reach out to develop new markets, creating economic gains for both nations.

We have, across Canada, been treated this year to a series of events under the banner of the Year of India in Canada. They have been organized by the High Commissioner and the Deputy High Commissioner to whom we owe a special vote of gratitude for their leadership, indefatigable efforts and organizational skills in putting together such a rich feast of culture and ideas. Canadians have had the privilege of enjoying excellent, unforgettable performances and of understanding aspects of the multifaceted and diverse cultures of India.

I am grateful to all those who have donated their time, their expertise and their talents to making it possible for the Centre to bring the Indian community across Canada together in our nation鈥檚 capital in this outstanding endeavour. Together we will build a solid foundation for understanding and innovative, entrepreneurial adventures.

Roseann O鈥橰eilly Runte

The Centre has been extremely busy and productive this spring. Activities fit within the following categories: research, establishing linkages, community outreach, organizing policy conferences, assisting with the Year of India in Canada 2011.

In the area of research, Dr. Robin Sinha has put together a major research project in the area of the environment. 杏吧原创 led the Canadian delegation to the World Renewable Energy Technology Conference in Delhi. Dr. Fraser Taylor has worked assiduously in the area of geospatial mapping and devices with colleagues in Canada and India and his work has been recognized with several grants. Dr. David Rogers in Physics spent a semester in India collaborating on projects in medical physics. Dr. Jay Drydyk in Philosophy was a guest at several conferences in India. Faculty in English, Philosophy and Music also made research trips to India and presented papers at conferences. Dr. Anil Maheshwari in the School of Computer Science received a grant to host several post-doctoral students from India.

To further establish linkages with universities and agencies in India, our Board Chair, Ms. Gis猫le Samson-Verreault visited Delhi and Mumbai. Mr. Goldy Hyder, chair of the Community Relations and Advancement Committee of the Board, visited Hyderabad where he delivered a major speech at the Indo-Global Education Summit. Mr. Randy Zadra, Director of 杏吧原创 International, visited a number of universities across the country as well as several government ministries. Dr. Jag Humar, Distinguished Research Professor in Civil Engineering, also worked on several agreements in Mumbai and Delhi. Drs. Vinod and Uma Kumar, senior professors in the Sprott School of Business, visited several universities to establish linkages with 杏吧原创. Key community supporter, Mr. Barj Dhahan from Vancouver, visited several universities and is advancing new connections in the Punjab. Dr. Jerry Tomberlin, Dean of the Sprott School of Business, visited India and Dr. Roseann O鈥橰eilly Runte also made three visits. Agreements were signed with the IIT, Mumbai as well as the Petroleum University and Jindal Global University. Visits from the President of Petroleum University to 杏吧原创 and the President of BITS, Pilani were most productive.

The University has participated in India鈥檚 national day celebrations and has collaborated via Dr. Humar with the Gandhi committee. Dr. Runte was present at these events and also spoke at the India Canada Friendship Circle. 杏吧原创 students participated in the dance performance and in a province-wide competition.

The Year of India in Canada 2011 offered extraordinary opportunities for sharing of cultural knowledge and building bridges of understanding between our two nations. Among the activities were the visit of three writers from India, the pre-performance show of sarod with Maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan at 杏吧原创, and participation in the Tulip Festival.

Seeking Support
The Centre submitted proposals to the governments of Canada and Ontario for funding for the Centre. Members of the Advisory Board, Mr. Sudhir Handa of Toronto, Mr. Barj Dhahan of Vancouver and Dr. Pradeep Merchant of Ottawa, are working closely with the university to advance our strong community-academic partnership.

Dr. Merchant visited Ministers Baird, Flaherty, and Strahl with Dr. Runte. Mr. Handa spoke with Minister Milloy. Mr. Dhahan spoke with members of the British Columbia government including 杏吧原创 graduate and Minister of Health, Mike de Jong. We also spoke with Ministers Pupatello, Chiarelli, Takhar, Meilleur and MPP Naqvi. Dr. Runte spoke with Minister Day and met with the Chief of Staff to Minister Kenney. She also met with the Premier鈥檚 director of policy and his special assistant for educational policy, and spoke with Minister Duncan鈥檚 director of policy.

The inclusion of a $12 million Centre of Excellence in the federal budget and a line indicating possible funding for India-related activities in the budget of the Province of Ontario are most welcome news.

In a letter earlier this year, the Premier wrote to Dr. Runte:

鈥淏y establishing an India Chair for the university鈥檚 Canada-India Centre for Excellence in Science, Technology, Trade and Policy, 杏吧原创 is doing much to promote and develop understanding and cooperation between Ontario and India, while at the same time further enhancing the university鈥檚 academic reputation.鈥�

There will be a competition for the federal funds and this Centre will most certainly apply with a national consortium of well-chosen partners.

We are well-positioned, as the Centre is already serving as a catalyst to strengthen connections between innovative and entrepreneurial individuals and companies in India and Canada. Experts in both countries are addressing significant issues relevant to our communities, as well as capitalizing on one another’s strengths and resources to our mutual benefit. We will continue to build joint programs, summits and exchanges (physical and virtual). We are anticipating another year of continued investment and growth in the Centre and look forward to expanding our research, scholarship and community building with our many partners.

Upcoming events at 杏吧原创 University
May 21-22: Celebration of the 150th birth anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore

June 17-18: Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute, Engaging India: A Multidisciplinary Conference

June 17-18: Canada-India Education Summit in collaboration with External Affairs, the High Commission of India, Shastri, the AUCC and 杏吧原创 University

June 20-22: Canada-India Innovation Summit in collaboration with External Affairs, the High Commission of India, ISTP Canada, 杏吧原创 University. More information at:

August 15 (TBC): Celebration of the Canada-India Centre

October 2: Unveiling the Gandhi statue

November: Follow-up on Innovation Summit in India

For more information, please contact: presidents_office@carleton.ca.