Canadian universities are stepping up their engagement with India, following in the path of Australian institutions that have already begun establishing branch campuses in the country.
A five-day delegation led by Universities Canada brought 21 university presidents to India to strengthen academic and economic ties, meet government and industry leaders, and sign multiple agreements to expand research and educational collaborations.
The visit produced more than a dozen Memorandums of Understanding, covering joint research, dual degrees, student exchanges, “two-plus-two” programmes, and short-term immersion opportunities.
The University of Windsor partnered with Anant National University on sustainability-focused initiatives, while the University of the Fraser Valley and Panjab University set up a dual bachelor of business administration degree programme.
“This mission puts universities at the heart of international collaboration,” Gabriel Miller, president of Universities Canada, told University Affaiirs noting that the focus was on deepening partnerships rather than recruiting students.
Larissa Bezo, president of the Canadian Bureau for International Education, University Affaiirs that the mission highlighted the depth of Canada-India educational ties beyond student mobility, signalling a broader strategy to position universities as central to both countries’ economic and research priorities.
Delegates also explored opportunities in areas such as artificial intelligence, energy, agriculture, and critical minerals, leveraging Canada’s research strengths alongside India’s talent and scale.
India has created a regulatory framework for foreign universities, allowing top-ranked institutions to operate autonomous campuses, with incentives including tax holidays, repatriation of profits, and simplified governance. GIFT City in Gujarat has emerged as a particularly attractive location.
So far, three international universities have opened campuses in India, with five more—including the University of Liverpool and the Illinois Institute of Technology—planned for 2026–27.
Australian universities have already paved the way by setting up branch campuses, and Canadian institutions are now following suit.
Delegates also engaged with India’s business sector at roundtables hosted by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, exploring collaborations in innovation, entrepreneurship, and applied research.
The visit is the first in a series of Canadian engagements that will culminate with Prime Minister Mark Carney’s visit in March.
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