AMRITSAR: Recognising the mutual benefits to be gained through a cooperative programme promoting scholarly activities and international understanding, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar and the IC-IMPACTS (the India-Canada Centre for Innovative Multidisciplinary Partnerships to Accelerate Community Transformation and Sustainability) Canada, entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) here on Wednesday.
The MoU shall be valid for two years from today but could be renewed or extended by mutual written consent and amounts to terminate or supersede any existing or continuing MoUs between the two institutes.
The MoU was signed by Guru Nanak Dev University’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof Jaspal Singh Sandhu and Dr Barj S Dhahan, Chair of the Board of Directors on behalf of CEO IC-IMPACTS, Canada in the presence of Dean, Academic Affairs, Registrar and Coordinator International Relations, Professor Preet Mohinder Singh Bedi and other senior officials.
Prof. Sandhu said 'Today marks nothing less than the beginning of a new era of cooperation for India and Canada. By teaming up, our university is creating a unique alliance and leading the way in shaping the future of Indo-Canada in the Food Security, Water Management, Infrastructure, and Public Health Sectors. I am happy to look forward to continuing our dialogue in this regard. This initiative will further cement our university’s position as one of the world’s premier locations for research and innovation”. Prof Sandhu further said, “This collaboration is an immense opportunity to promote cooperative research and to facilitate the international exchange of ideas, the development of new knowledge and to enhance global research acumen through these hubs. The modes of cooperation could include faculty visits for collaboration in research, student mobility programs for learning, development of cooperative research projects and dissemination of finding through scholarly publication.
Earlier, a high level delegation led by Dr Barj S Dhahan, Chair of the Board of Directors from IC-IMPACTS, Canada visited Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU) today. After mutual discussions, both parties signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for more growth opportunities for students and faculty members. On this occasion, Dr. Dr Barj S Dhahan also interacted with GNDU faculty members and senior functionaries.
On this MoU, Dr Barj S Dhahan shared that “IC-IMPACTS is pleased to be adding the Guru Nanak Dev University to our network of affiliated partner universities. Together, GNDU and IC-IMPACTS are excited to launch much larger initiatives with India that promote research collaborations, bring students and faculty of the two countries together, place GNDU innovations in Indian and Canadian communities and provide Canadian companies a platform to grow their knowledge-based exports to India.”
Dr Barj S Dhahan expressed his happiness over having a long and fruitful collaboration with Guru Nanak Dev University also appreciated the efforts of University Industry linkage cell for facilitating this MoU. Guru Nanak Dev University is among one of the best universities in India with high research focus and diverse academic programs, carrying research on areas like Agriculture, Sports Sciences and Medicine, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Architecture, Planning, Biotechnology etc.
On this occasion Dr. Preet Mohinder Singh Bedi, Coordinator University Industry linkage Programme said “IC-IMPACTS and the Guru Nanak Dev University will work together in promoting student-led leadership workshops, summer institutes, and technology demonstration projects in India and Canada. Through this partnership, university students and faculty members will have the opportunity to attend events with Canadian educational institutes, interact with industry leaders, and create student internship and entrepreneurial training opportunities.
Dr. Bedi further said “Both institutes will benefit through international exchanges that will not only enrich the campus environment but also provide students with international learning experiences in the field of Food Security, Water Management, Infrastructure, and Public Health Sectors.