A consortium of nine Canadian universities and Indian partners, led by Carleton, Ryerson and Simon Fraser, strengthened its position in India with the opening of offices that provide space to focus on entrepreneurship and innovation. The announcement was made today by Roseann O’Reilly Runte, Carleton’s president and vice-chancellor, at a press conference in New Delhi.
Thanks to partnerships with Ottawa and New Delhi-based TaraSpan, Canada’s leading India market entry specialist, as well as another leading Mumbai-based company, the university consortium has not just a presence but also the resources required to bring the Canadian university research partners closer to the Indian marketplace. This will help to facilitate the academic, research and economic development activities of the university consortium and its private sector partners. These offices build on the strengths of Carleton’s Canada-India Centre for Excellence in Science, Technology, Trade and Policy, based in Ottawa. They will complement the Centre’s efforts in promoting economic development in both nations by focusing on internships, student exchanges and research in alternative energy, economics, public policy and engineering.
The office at Anna University’s Centre for Urban Energy in Chennai is the home of Ryerson’s sister institute. This academic centre builds on the strong relationships that exist among the Canadian and Indian Universities. Bilateral research and opportunities for students is key to addressing longer-term national priorities in both Canada and India.
“These offices not only give Carleton and its partners an important presence in India in a range of sectors, they help to integrate our academic and research activities with the business development interests of our partners,” said O’Reilly Runte. “We look forward to the new opportunities these partnerships create for us.”
“With a physical base in South Asia, the Carleton led consortium will enable Canadian companies to deploy advanced technology solutions more rapidly in the Indian marketplace, and other emerging markets,” said Sir Terry Matthews, one of Canada’s most prolific technology entrepreneurs and an investor in TaraSpan.
At the same press conference, President Runte also announced the appointment of Dr. L.K. Maheshwari as Scientific Advisor on Canada-India relations to the Vice-President (Research & International) at Carleton University. Dr. Maheshwari is also advisor to the Chancellor of the Birla Institute of Technology and Science at Pilani, and has a long and distinguished career as a scientist and as former vice-chancellor of BITS-Pilani.
In addition, Dr. Runte signed an agreement with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI). As part of the agreement, FICCI will help further strengthen Carleton’s ties with India by co-ordinating communications between Indian and Canadian businesses, facilitating joint conferences and providing research opportunities for graduate level students.
Background:
The consortium of Canadian schools includes Carleton University, Simon Fraser University, Ryerson University, University of Guelph, University of Waterloo, University of Ottawa, Université Laval, University of New Brunswick and University of Manitoba. It also includes some of India’s elite academic institutions, including IIT Bombay, Birla Institute of Technology and Anna University. In addition, Carleton University’s Canada-India Centre for Excellence in Science, Technology, Trade and Policy is also supported in part by generous financial contributions from members of Canada’s Indian community, as well as the High Commission of India in Ottawa.
Details about Carleton’s India connections are available at: http://www.carleton.ca/india.
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For more information:
Chris Cline
Media Relations Co-ordinator
Carleton University
613-520-2600, ext. 1391
christopher_cline@carleton.ca
Tuesday, February 14, 2012 in News Releases
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