- This partnership is intended to focus on student & faculty exchange programmes, short-term study abroad programmes, dual-degree programmes and collaborative research programmes
- Progressive universities are essential to facilitate global engagement to address complex challenges facing the world, says Dr Rhonda L. Lenton, Vice-Chancellor, York University
- Recent data from the Canadian Bureau for International Education shows that nearly 34% of Canada’s international students come from India
- York University to launch new Global Research Seed Fund and infuse $ 1 million to propel global research collaborations with leading universities, industries, government agencies and NGOs
R ARIVANANTHAM
CHENNAI, SEPT 19
Over six decade old York University, the third largest in Canada with the student strength of 54,000 including 2,000 students from India on Tuesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the O P Jindal Global University.
Announcing this at a press conference in Chennai, Prof. (Dr.) Rhonda L. Lenton, the eighth President and Vice-Chancellor of York University said, “As the world recovers from a global pandemic, progressive universities like York University and OP Jindal Global University have an opportunity to play a greater role in facilitating global engagement to address incredibly complex challenges – from rising geopolitical tensions, economies destabilized by inflation, and surging temperatures that threaten the demise of our planet – all the while navigating the rapid deployment of advanced technologies such as AI and automation. India and Canada are natural partners to lead in this new global context.”
Replying to a query, she said that York University will launch new Global Research Seed Fund and infuse $ 1 million to propel global research collaborations with leading universities, industries, government agencies and NGOs.
When asked about the safety of international students, Dr Lenton said the Universities in Canada give utmost priority to ensure students’ safety, including internal and external mechanisms.
Prof. (Dr.) C Raj Kumar, Founding Vice Chancellor of OP Jindal Global University said, “In India’s quest to create a global arena of knowledge exchange and opportunities, Canada is an important partner. The collaboration with York University, Canada’s leading university, is a significant milestone in our institutional journey. Recent data from the Canadian Bureau for International Education shows that nearly 34% of Canada’s international students come from India. There is a need to encourage growth in the number of Canadian students visiting India in near future. As India’s leading private university, this relationship will not only boost the association our universities but also strengthen the long-term educational relationship between India and Canada.”
He further said, “In the field of education, India and Canada have a close and long-standing relationship. Higher education and research partnerships are a critical part of the Canada-India bilateral relationship. As is natural for two countries that share so many diplomatic and cultural associations, areas such as student mobility, research partnerships and educational exchanges are of ever-increasing productive cooperation. Since our founding in 2009, our vision has been focused on building India’s first ‘Global University.’ We have proven our commitment to this vision by instilling internationalism in every aspect of higher education, ensuring a global learning experience in an international setting.”
United Nations CIFAL Training Centre
York is the first Canadian University to have a United Nations CIFAL Training Centre dedicated to promoting intersectoral cooperation on policy development in areas such as disaster risk, emergency management and humanitarian actions; health, development, environment and climate change and equity, diversity, and inclusion. It is also the lead academic partner in a transformative new Global Water Academy that aims to tackle the water sustainability crisis in partnership with UNITAR.
Prof (Dr) J J McMurtry, Dean, Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies; Prof (Dr) Rui Wang, Dean, Faculty of Science; Prof (Dr) Alice J Hovorka, Dean, Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change; Julie Lafford, Asst VP for Alumni Engagement and Skandha Sunderesen, Associate Director, Global Engagement & Strategic Initiatives, York Universities were also present at the media conference.
