Indian Chair to be established at University of Toronto

The Ministry of External Affairs said in a press release here today that the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) and the Faculty of Arts and Science, University of Toronto, had signed a Protocol of Intentions and an Implementation Agreement in this regard.

Under the terms of the Agreement, ICCR, in consultation with the Faculty of Arts and Science, University of Toronto, shall appoint an ICCR Visiting Professor in the South Asian Studies Programme at the University.

Further, there is a commitment to explore other areas of cooperation, including establishment of post-doctoral fellowships and faculty exchange. The Protocol of Intention will remain in force for a period of three years beginning January 1, 2010.

A Joint Statement issued during the visit of Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper to India in November 2009, recognized education as an area of new momentum in the bilateral relationship, the need to facilitate mutually beneficial linkages in science, technology and innovation, and build synergies between institutions of higher learning in Canada and India.

On November 30, 2009, the Canadian government announced the Pan-Canadian Framework for Assessment and Recognition of Foreign Credentials which will enable by the end of 2012 a fast-track system of foreign-credential recognition for 15 occupations.

There are 7300 Indian students studying in Canada presently, the release added.

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