A perspective on Canada-India higher educational partnerships

To meet the demand, higher education providers are multiplying, leading to increasing concern over the quality of the services delivered as well as the funding needed to ensure sustainable development of infrastructure, a healthy student body and qualified faculty. [...] The quality of the higher education institutions is reflected in the academic performance of the students. [...] B) Privatization and Foreign Direct Investment in India’s Higher Education The past decline in state funding created opportunities which the Indian private sector was quick to grasp, especially in the areas of professional and technical education. [...] According to UGC data, 20% of the 17,000 recognized colleges in India are privately owned and funded.8 The level of privatization does vary across the country, but the incentives are the same in all provinces. [...] The French Minister of Higher Education and Research recently announced the establishment of the Indo-French Consortium of Universities that will initiate joint research projects, enhance cooperation at the Masters degree level and facilitate the establishment of 21 inter-university agreements.