The partnership was announced on the sidelines of the Canadian Prime Minister’s state visit to India this week.

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Mitacs, a Canadian not-for-profit organization dedicated to research and training has announced a new partnership with Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) of India to expand research opportunities for Indian and Canadian graduate students with academic institutions and industrial partners in each country.

The partnership was announced on the sidelines of the Canadian Prime Minister’s state visit to India this week. As a part of this program, students will take part in research internships in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields, such as clean energy, cybersecurity, biotechnology, sustainable infrastructure, and nanotechnology.

The tenure of the partnership is for three years, during which 200 graduate students from India and Canada will get the opportunity to refine their research skills, gain cultural fluency, and expand their professional networks during 12- to 24-week research internships. The program will help the students to contribute to economic growth and solve global challenges while increasing their international competitiveness.

India was the first country to be part of Mitacs’ international research program and will always be an important partner country. Mitacs first brought 17 students from a handful of the top IITs to undertake research internships under the supervision of faculty members at universities in British Columbia in 2009. Since then, Mitacs’ international research internship program has provided more than 1,200 students from India with hands-on research experience at Canadian universities.

“Mitacs has a long history with India — the country was an early supporter of our international research internship program nine years ago. The objective of this new agreement is to augment competencies of Indian private-sector research by partnering with Canadian research networks, build economic links, and encourage international entrepreneurial activity and joint ventures.” says Alejandro Adem, CEO and Scientific Director of Mitacs.

“Today’s research partnership will support economic growth, increase international competitiveness, and solve global challenges. It will deepen our relationship between the countries, and represents a shared commitment between India and Canada to continue to offer university students with high-quality research opportunities that will foster shared experiences and expand their networks globally.”

“Collaborations between researchers and businesses are a key building block for innovation,” remarks the Honourable Kirsty Duncan, Canada’s Minister of Science and Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities. “The partnership announced today is exemplary of the Government of Canada’s efforts to drive innovation forward and encourage our students to acquire the skills they need to join a strong, vibrant middle class.”