Lucknow: Under the inspiration and gracious presence of Uttar Pradesh Governor and Chancellor of State Universities, Anandiben Patel, multiple Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were formally signed at Raj Bhavan between the Canadian Hindu Chamber of Commerce (CHCC) and three leading universities of the state—Lucknow University, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Technical University (AKTU), and Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti Language University, Lucknow.
The MoUs aim to strengthen cooperation in the field of higher education through student and faculty exchange programmes, joint research collaborations, course and curriculum exchange, and other academic initiatives, thereby fostering global academic partnerships.
Addressing the gathering, Governor Anandiben Patel welcomed the Canadian delegation and said that Uttar Pradesh has witnessed significant improvements in education and healthcare sectors, and is now moving towards achieving the highest standards of excellence. Sharing her experiences from Gujarat, she emphasized that planned efforts with a positive approach always yield constructive outcomes.
The Governor appreciated the innovative initiatives undertaken by state universities, including the introduction of new syllabi and courses aligned with NAAC and NIRF quality benchmarks, which reflect a visible improvement in academic standards. She, however, underlined the need for continued efforts to further enhance quality.
Referring to her recent visit to Gujarat, the Governor highlighted the contributions of institutions such as the National Defence University, National Forensic Sciences University, and ISRO’s Space Application Centre in strengthening national security. She described ISRO’s recent launch of the American satellite “Blue Bird” as a moment of pride and also spoke about initiatives to strengthen cyber crime control and policing systems.
Governor Patel encouraged all stakeholders to work in a time-bound manner and stressed that India should share its innovations and best practices with the world while also adopting global best practices. Describing India as a nation guided by the philosophy of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” and the teachings of Lord Buddha, she said such values must be nurtured in future generations. She also expressed hope for the success of the Canadian delegation’s objectives in Uttar Pradesh.
On the occasion, Dr. Sudhir Mahadev Bobde, Officer on Special Duty to the Governor (of Additional Chief Secretary rank), welcomed the 17-member Canadian delegation and said that under the Governor’s leadership, Uttar Pradesh has set new benchmarks in higher education over the past seven years. He noted that 10 state universities have achieved the prestigious NAAC ‘A++’ grade, and international MoUs are further strengthening academic excellence.
Naresh Kumar Chawda, Trustee of the Canadian Hindu Chamber of Commerce, said that the global demand for Indian languages is rising and Canadian students are keen to pursue studies in India. He assured that while the implementation of the MoUs may be gradual, all agreed milestones will be achieved.
Vice Chancellor of AKTU, Prof. J.P. Pandey, termed the MoUs a positive and enriching experience, while also sharing insights into practical challenges during implementation.
The event was attended by Dr. Pankaj L. Johny, OSD (Education), Ashok Desai, OSD to the Governor, Prof. Manuka Khanna, Vice Chancellor of Lucknow University, the Vice Chancellor of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti Language University, and other members of the Canadian delegation.
