Dr. David T. Barnard, president of the University of Manitoba, has announced that the U of M has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Institute of Crop Processing Technology (IICPT) and the Ministry of Food Processing Industries of India (MoFPI) to train IICPT staff and students at the U of M as well as to exchange faculty members between the two organizations for long-term research into better crop storage and processing systems at the IICPT.
Dr. Barnard made the announcement from New Delhi, India where he is participating in a historic seven-day mission involving the largest delegation of Canadian university and college presidents ever to travel abroad.
“With this announcement, we are building on the strong and successful relationship the University of Manitoba has already developed with India,” said Dr. Barnard. “I have no doubt that this partnership with the Indian Institute of Crop Processing Technology will result in breakthroughs in crop processing technologies that will go a long way toward meeting the needs of the people of India.”
With funding of $100,000 each from the Province of Manitoba and MoFPI, the University of Manitoba will fund training of at least six scientists from IICPT for three to six months each and offer scholarships of $1000 per month for six months to at least nine graduate students from the IICPT for their research training. Regular exchange visits of faculty members between the two organizations will build a solid research and training program for grain storage and processing at the IICPT.
The India mission, which involves 15 university and college presidents, was organized by the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC), with the goal of solidifying existing relationships, forging new exchange and research partnerships and raising the profile of Canadian universities in India, the world’s second most populous country.
Over the course of the seven-day mission, the university and college presidents will participate in a series of targeted meetings with Indian educators, government officials and business leaders.
Dr. Barnard will facilitate two panel discussions during his time in India. The panels will highlight the University of Manitoba’s successful partnerships with industry in training students for the workforce and increasing access to higher education through on-line, distance and blended learning.
For more information contact Michael Marshall, communications officer, Public Affairs, University of Manitoba, 204-474-7962, [email protected]
