Canada signs 13 academic agreements with India focused on AI and research collaboration

Canada has announced a fresh round of academic collaborations with India as Prime Minister Mark Carney began a four-day official visit aimed at strengthening bilateral ties across education, trade, and technology.

In a post on X, Carney said Canadian universities are widening their engagement with Indian institutions through new talent partnerships. He highlighted that 13 agreements have been finalized, covering joint research initiatives and the establishment of artificial intelligence centers of excellence.

According to him, the arrangements are designed to expand international learning opportunities for students and reinforce institutional cooperation between the two countries.

One of the key announcements came from McGill University, which confirmed plans to set up a center of excellence in AI education and research in India.

The announcement was made during an academic mission organized by Universities Canada and attended by Carney and Canada’s Foreign Minister Anita Anand.

McGill said that the center is expected to open in May 2027, with the first group of students enrolling in the fall term that year. The initial intake will include 50 students, with enrollment projected to gradually increase to about 200.

The center will offer a master’s program that integrates classroom instruction with applied learning and industry-connected projects in the AI domain.

The university said its Faculty of Engineering will design the curriculum, establish academic benchmarks, and supervise quality assurance and research priorities. The Indian partner institution will handle local coordination and stakeholder engagement.

Officials indicated that the initiative reflects McGill’s strategy to expand its global academic presence while retaining oversight of academic standards.

The project is being developed in partnership with the Jubilant Bhartia Group, which will provide land, infrastructure, and operational backing, along with facilitating industry linkages within India’s technology and AI sectors.