Shastri Bilateral Education Forum (SBEF) 2025:
Bridging Borders with Sustainable Academic Collaborations
Held in New Delhi from March 27–28, the Shastri Bilateral Education Forum (SBEF) 2025 brought together 80 academic leaders and scholars from 70 institutions across Canada and India. Organized by the Canada Office of the Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute (SICI) with the generous support of Global Affairs Canada (GAC), the Forum was anchored in the theme “Bridging Borders with Sustainable Academic Collaborations.” It served as a dynamic platform to advance Indo-Canadian academic partnerships from symbolic agreements toward action-driven, faculty-led initiatives grounded in shared priorities, equity, and measurable outcomes.
Key Highlights:
- Insightful opening remarks were delivered by senior representatives from the Governments of India and Canada, alongside distinguished academic leaders.
- A high-level panel discussion on “Beyond the MoUs” emphasised the shift from symbolic agreements to actionable partnerships.
- Interactive thematic workshops explored strategies for building equitable partnerships, navigating institutional and regulatory frameworks, and addressing cultural and funding challenges.
- A SICI-supported scholarly volume on gender representation in Indian media was launched, showcasing the power of academic inquiry to influence cultural discourse.
- Post-forum institutional visits across India deepened engagement and opened doors for localised collaboration and future joint initiatives.
Key Outcomes:
- Concrete pathways were established for launching joint academic programs, co-supervised research initiatives, and innovative student and faculty mobility models.
- A strong call emerged for the creation of digital platforms to enhance faculty matchmaking, streamline partnership development, and increase visibility of funding opportunities.
- Strategic policy recommendations emphasised the need for equitable access, measurable and accountable MoUs, and inclusive approaches to internationalisation across disciplines and institutions.
- SICI’s role was reaffirmed and elevated as a catalytic force, long-term enabler, and policy advocate driving Indo-Canadian academic cooperation forward.
With SBEF 2026 on the horizon, SICI reaffirms its commitment to shaping a future defined by deeper engagement, mutual trust, and transformative, cross-border academic partnerships.
