Imagining Success: Canada-India Academic Relations

Abstract:

This study provides a context for the opportunities and challenges inherent in engaging with India on higher education matters, including an analysis of the current state of education in India and an assessment of Canada’s ability to coordinate action and then both fund and deliver it.  The paper articulates an ambitious scenario of these possibilities while providing objectives and activities that Canada might adopt to turn vision into reality.  Content and tactics toward a Canada-India Education Strategy are recommended and are not limited to student recruitment; it is argued that any strategy also includes the trading of educational services; joint programming and models of engagement that include reciprocal co-operative education; bilateral and two-way mobility of students, staff and researchers; an urgent redressing of Canada’s own curricular needs and interests at K-12 and post-secondary levels; and recommendations concerning disciplines best suited for engagement with India.