PAKISTAN — In a pledge to develop Pakistan’s academic might, a 13-member delegation of vice-chancellors and rectors arrived in Vancouver on May 4 for a two-week tour of B.C. and Albertan universities, including SFU and UBC. Invited by the Commonwealth of Learning (COL), which is based in Vancouver, the delegation anticipates that the two countries will embark on research initiatives, student exchange programs and faculty visits.
The tour is part of five-year reform agenda outlined by the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan in its goal to create strategic partnerships with the world’s finest institutions.
"The fact that they chose Vancouver for the study tour speaks highly about the quality of these educational institutions and the importance that Pakistan attaches to having linkages and partnerships with them," said Pakistan vice-consul Tipu Usman.
INDIA — The Indian consul Shri Suresh Kumar Makhijani was honoured by members of the Shri Guru Ravidass Sabha of Vancouver for his public services and for distributing books to the Guru Ravidass Sabha's art and Punjabi students.
"We wanted to show our appreciation for all the support the consul has shown our children," said Jai Birdie, a member of the non-profit.
Makhijani, who has been posted at the Vancouver consulate for the past year, was pleased to accept the award at a ceremony held last week.
