Prime Highlights
- Canada and India are shifting education ties from student mobility towards research, skills, innovation and workforce development.
- More than 20 new partnerships cover areas such as AI, clean energy, healthcare, agriculture and critical minerals.
Key Facts
- Nearly 400,000 Indian students are pursuing education in Canada.
- Canadian universities conduct about $19 billion in research annually.
Background
Canada and India are moving their education partnership beyond student mobility, with a stronger focus on skills, research, innovation and workforce development.
Nearly 400,000 Indian students are currently studying in Canada. The two countries now want to use their education ties to build long-term institutional and economic partnerships.
A delegation from Universities Canada and Colleges and Institutes Canada joined Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney during his visit to India earlier this year. The groups launched the Canada–India Talent and Innovation Strategy, representing 300 public universities and colleges. The strategy aims to strengthen cooperation in talent development, skills training, research and innovation.
The shift supports India’s Viksit Bharat 2047 goals, which call for stronger domestic capabilities and future-ready talent. Key areas include artificial intelligence, clean energy, advanced manufacturing and healthcare.
Canadian universities conduct about $19 billion in research each year and contribute more than one-third of the country’s research activity. Its colleges and polytechnics also focus on practical training and industry needs, with more than 90% of graduates finding work in their chosen fields.
Several Canadian institutions are expanding their work with Indian partners. McGill University is developing an AI education and research centre with the Jubilant Bhartia Group. The University of Toronto is working with the Indian Institute of Science on predictive healthcare. Other partnerships involve the University of British Columbia, Dalhousie University, IIT Tirupati and IISER Tirupati.
More than 20 agreements signed this year cover AI, clean energy, critical minerals, agriculture and healthcare. The growing cooperation could help India build skilled talent while supporting Canada’s workforce needs.
