Canada's Carleton University to have an India chair

Updated on: Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Canada's Carleton University will soon have an India Chair to promote research and understanding about the emerging global powerhouse.

The Ottawa-based university will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian government on January 24 for setting up an India Chair at its Canada-India Centre of Excellence in Science, Technology, Trade and Policy.

After launching its Canada-India Centre of Excellence in Science, Technology, Trade and Policy in February last year, Carleton will now also become the first Canadian university to have a full-fledged India Chair. A unique institution in itself, the Canada-India Centre of Excellence in Science, Technology, Trade and Policy promotes bilateral studies and public diplomacy, and develop initiatives to build a better understanding between the two countries.

An Indian diplomat said, “The Indian high commissioner is signing a MoU with the university for an India Chair to serve as a platform for public policy on India outside the confines of governments. The Chair will be the platform to discuss and promote understanding and cooperation between the public and private institutions of the two countries.”

“This Indian Chair will give India a visibility in Canada. For long, India has been requesting Canada to have an India Centre (Chair). It is a very good thing," said Toronto-based Ravi Seethapathy, former chair of the Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute that promotes academic activities and exchanges between the two countries.

Among other Canadian universities, Vancouver-based Simon Fraser University has the regional Chair on Canada-India Business and Economic Development to foster economic and academic links between British Columbia province and India.

Canada's Carleton University to have an India chair

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