SFU accompanies BC Premier's Mission to India

President Andrew Petter, along with SFU’s new Vice President Research Joy Johnson and Faculty of Applied Sciences Dean Nimal Rajapakse visited New Delhi, Bangalore and Mumbai as part of the mission’s post-secondary contingent. Joining with counterparts to promote BC post-secondary education, they also had the opportunity to advance the University’s existing relationships with academia, industry and government.

 

"Over the past decade SFU has built strong connections with India and with BC's South Asian community," said Petter. "Guided by our India Advisory Council, our goal as Canada's 'Engaged University' is to see our extensive educational and research relationships with India grow."

 

Petter was a featured speaker at a roundtable on education and innovation in Bangalore on Oct. 15. He also participated in a discussion on BC's education strategy in India in New Delhi on Oct. 13.

 

Highlights for SFU

 

•SFU furthered its partnership with Indian Oil Company (IOC). The collaboration was created to undertake research on hydrogen and fuel cell technology. The research will focus particularly on clean energy technology and advanced materials. This partnership will facilitate exchanges that allow SFU faculty and students to conduct research in IOC’s world-class R&D facilities, while providing IOC researchers opportunities to work at SFU, furthering the field globally.

 

- In addition, SFU will accept two Indian nationals into a unique partnership PhD training program starting in January 2015.

 

• SFU has joined with the Bombay Stock Exchange Institute and Ryerson University to develop an international digital technology incubator and associated accelerator program. The parties signed a Letter of Intent earlier this year and furthered the partnership during a visit by the Premier to the Bombay Stock Exchange in Mumbai on Oct. 16.The incubator will help entrepreneurs in both India and Canada fast track their start-ups and connect with mentors, customers and investors.

 

• Simon Fraser University and the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) are establishing a Visiting Scholars Program at SFU, after a formal signing in New Delhi. Over 5 years, the program’s aim is to foster and strengthen cultural relations by hosting world-class Indian scholars from a wide range of disciplines, such as international studies, contemporary arts, business and world literature.

 

SFU is the first western Canadian university to receive support from ICCR to create such a program.