Patiala 27 November (Press Ki Taquat Bureau) : Prof BS Ghuman, Vice Chancellor, Punjabi University Patiala participated in the Indian and Canadian Vice Chancellors’ and Presidents’ Summit on Dynamics of Higher Education in India and Canada: Envisaging Greater Collaborations and Opportunities to Network at New Delhi organized by Shastri Indo – Canadian Institute( SICI) Calgary/ New Delhi, a . Speaking on the occasion Professor Ghuman opined that a large number of students from Punjab are moving to Canada. Their mobility is governed by two factors . Firstly scoring of a cut off band in International English Language Testing System ( IELTS) which judges the proficiency in English language. Secondly the market driven private sector which is hard in regulated has monopolized the business and a number of cases of charging hefty money and not guiding students properly for the right institution and right course are reported from time to time. In the entire process no filter is applied to ensure quality of students especially relating to their subject knowledge and understanding of Canadian academic system, culture and values. The students on their arrival in Canada face huge problems including not coping with studies. He further said that the leaders both the Indian and Canadian are sitting together and they should develop institutional mechanisms to ensure quality of students moving from India to Canada and also their hassle free adjustment in the Canadian academic milieu. The institutional mechanism we can evolve by signing institution to institution MOUs under which the students before moving to Canada have to complete a couple of semesters at the Indian Universities. During these semesters the course work will be same in both the universities. Along with domain knowledge the students will also be made familiar about the Canadian education system, culture and values so that they can reap the full benefits of the system while in Canada. For incentivizing students to adopt this safe and secure route both the Canadian and the Indian Universities may start awarding dual degrees to the students so that they become eligible to find suitable jobs in both the countries.\
In the inaugural and subsequent sessions, the speakers include Dr. John Reid, President, Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute (SICI), Dr. Anil D. Sahasrabudhe, Chairman, AICTE, Ms. Deirdre Kent, Deputy High Commissioner of Canada to India, Dr. Mini Shaji Thomas, Vice President/President Elect, SICI, Dr. Prachi Kaul, Director, SICI, Dr. Ranbir Singh, Past President of AIU & Vice-Chancellor, National Law University, Delhi, Mr. Akhilesh Mishra, DG, Indian Council for Cultural Relations and Dr. Sarit K Das, Director, IIT, Ropar, Dr. Sunita Siwach, National Coordinator, RUSA, Dr. Sandra M. Den Otter, Associate Vice Principal, Research and International, Queen’s University, Canada.
Prof. BS Ghuman participated in the Indian and Canadian Vice Chancellors’ and Presidents’ Summit
