Canadian universities to set up independent programs in India

Currently, universities and colleges from Canada run collaborative projects in India with local universities and colleges which allows for students to study in Canada for part of their degree.

The proposed bill has been called a welcome step by organisations including the Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce and the Canada-India Business council.

On Monday, the Indian cabinet cleared a proposal to allow foreign universities to set up campuses in India, a step that is expected to provide quality education in the country.

In recent years Canadian visa and other problems has meant that less than 4,000 Indian students come to Canadian universities and colleges each year, compared to 80,000 going to the US, 50,000 to Britain, and 40,000 to Australia.

'The Indian bill solves all these problems. Now Canadian universities will go there and impart world-class education. All visa hassles will be over for Indian students,' said Husain Neemuchwala of the Canada-India Business Council education committee.

A number of  Canadian universities already run programmes in India, including the Toronto-based York University which the coordinating institution for education linkages and exchange programmes with various Indian institutions allowing Indian students to study in Canada.

The Canadian Visa Bureau is an independent consulting company specialising in helping people lodge their Canadian immigration applications with the Canadian Embassy.