Indian students turn to Canada following Australian backlash, Dec. 11

This letter was published in the Toronto Star, on December 22, 2010

Paul Davidson
President
Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada

Rick Westhead’s article highlights the reasons why Canada’s universities have undertaken an unprecedented collaboration in attracting Indian students to our country.

Canada needs to build its reputation as a top destination for postsecondary students in India. Millions more Indian families will soon be seeking postsecondary education for their children in order to assure them of a prosperous future. The Indian government has reached out to other countries to help fill this growing demand, which is far beyond its own capacity. Canada is answering the call.

Last month, 15 university presidents took part in the Association of University and Colleges of Canada’s seven-day education mission to India. One Canadian university reaching out to a nation where 550 million people are under the age of 25 is a mere drop in the bucket, but when 15 presidents along with Canada’s Minister of Science and Technology, Gary Goodyear, made the journey together, they attracted the attention of the highest levels of Indian government, educators and media.

Along with our federal government’s new emphasis on trade links with India, this increasing focus on Indian recruitment holds the promise of something truly transformational for our country: The emergence of a new “super-partnership” that will position Canada as a leader in the new global economy.