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Canada and India Shift Education Ties Toward Innovation
Canada and India have worked together in education for many years.
Many Indian students study at Canadian universities and colleges.
Now, the two countries want to do more than exchange students.
They plan to cooperate on research, job training and new technologies.
Canadian schools can contribute research and hands-on training expertise.
India can contribute a large pool of young people and a growing innovation system.
Universities and companies are already creating joint projects in areas such as artificial intelligence and healthcare.
The countries also want training programs to help meet worker shortages and improve movement between their labor markets.
This could make education cooperation useful for both countries over the long term.
Nearly 400,000 Indian students are currently studying in Canada, exceeding the combined number in the United Kingdom and Australia.
Universities Canada and Colleges and Institutes Canada launched the Canada–India Talent and Innovation Strategy during Prime Minister Mark Carney’s visit to India.
The strategy broadens cooperation from student mobility to talent development, skills training, research and innovation.
Canadian and Indian institutions are developing partnerships in artificial intelligence, healthcare, clean energy, critical minerals, agriculture and other fields.
Both countries are exploring education and workforce pathways, including mutual recognition, credit transfers and aligned vocational standards.
- Who
- Canada, India, Canadian and Indian universities and colleges, researchers, businesses and students; the initiative was launched by Universities Canada and Colleges and Institutes Canada during Prime Minister Mark Carney’s visit.
- What
- The countries are shifting their education relationship toward long-term cooperation in talent development, skills training, research and innovation.
- Where
- The cooperation involves Canada and India, with projects and institutions in both countries.
- When
- The strategy was launched earlier in 2026; the article was published August 23, 2026.
- Why
- To support India’s innovation and skills ambitions while helping Canada address labor shortages and strengthen research, commercialization and workforce development.
Key facts
- Indian students in Canada
- Nearly 400,000
- Canadian institutions represented
- Universities Canada and Colleges and Institutes Canada represented 300 public universities and colleges.
- Canadian university research
- Approximately $19 billion annually
- Canadian graduate scholarships
- More than 85 Indo-Pacific scholarships have been dedicated to Canadian graduate students and researchers studying and collaborating in India.
- Mitacs applied research projects
- More than 4,000 projects connecting Indian and Canadian institutions since 2018.
- Agreements signed in 2026
- More than 20 agreements between Canadian and Indian universities, research institutes and industry partners.
- College and polytechnic graduate employment
- More than 90 percent of graduates reportedly obtain work in their chosen field.
Sources
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