Canada to fund 220 scholarships for Indian students, launch ‘hybrid study locations’

Canada has announced an expanded academic cooperation with India, including new scholarships and research opportunities for Indian students. As part of the initiative, the University of Toronto will provide up to $25 million to support more than 220 scholarships for Indian students studying at Canadian institutions.The plan also includes 300 funded research positions for Indian student researchers, aimed at strengthening collaboration between universities in the two countries and encouraging greater academic exchange.The scholarship funding will be offered through the University of Toronto and will support Indian students admitted to programmes at Canadian institutions. Details such as eligibility, application timelines and rules for the scholarships have not yet been announced.The scholarships and research positions are part of the Canada–India Talent and Innovation Strategy, which aims to strengthen cooperation in education and research between the two countries.The plan also includes 13 new partnerships between Canadian and Indian universities, aimed at increasing student exchanges, supporting joint research projects and making it easier for students to study in both countries.Besides the scholarships, the strategy includes plans to set up three “hybrid study locations” in India. These will be joint academic centres created by Canadian universities working with Indian institutions.The centres will focus on research and education in areas such as technology and artificial intelligence. They will also allow students to begin Canadian university courses in India and later complete their studies in Canada.Canada’s government said the strategy will also expand research collaboration, student and faculty exchanges, and include a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in creative industries such as visual arts, music, publishing and entertainment technologies.