GGSIP University, University Of Saskatchewan Explore Collaboration In Healthcare, Research, Innovation, Education

In a move aimed at strengthening innovation-driven education and expanding its global academic network, Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University (GGSIPU) Delhi, is all set to enter into a landmark interdisciplinary collaboration with University of Saskatchewan (UoS), Canada.

The proposed partnership will involve multiple domains, including medical sciences, engineering, and other technology-driven disciplines, promising world-class opportunities for Indian students at an affordable cost.

A key pillar of this collaboration is the integration of the two universities’ incubation and healthcare ecosystems. GGSIPU currently hosts a robust innovation culture, having nurtured more than 110 start-ups across healthcare, diagnostics, environmental solutions, and social-impact technologies.

Enhanced cooperation between the incubation centres is expected to accelerate technology transfer, joint prototyping, market exploration, and global start-up scaling.

University officials noted that immediate discussions are focused on establishing joint Ph.D. programmes modeled on its successful collaborations with Poland Universities.

The arrangement will allow students to complete part of their coursework at GGSIPU and the remainder in Canada—and vice versa—promoting a truly global learning experience.

Efforts are also being made to ensure that students admitted under such joint programmes pay fees in Indian currency, in a move aimed at ensuring cost-effective international education.

The collaboration talks gained momentum following the visit of a high-level Canadian delegation to GGSIPU on November 15, 2025. The six-member delegation, led by Dr. Darcy Marciniuk, Associate Vice-President (Research) and Professor of Respirology, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, and Dr. Sarah Forgie, Dean, College of Medicine, held extensive deliberations with GGSIPU Vice-Chancellor and Padma Shri awardee Dr. Mahesh Verma and senior faculty members across disciplines.

Dr. Verma told The Outlook, “The proposal places strong emphasis on a Dual-Degree Ph.D. Programme in Technology and Health Sciences.

“Global collaboration is central to the future of higher education. It (UoS) is more than 100-year-old, well-established university with deep strengths in healthcare and technology—and we, too, are strongly positioned in these areas,” he said, underscoring the natural alignment between the two institutions. The partnership is particularly significant as it marks GGSIPU’s first major academic alliance in North America, complementing its series of collaborations across Europe.

Dr. Verma emphasised that the proposed collaboration goes far beyond conferences or short-term exchange visits. “This partnership is intended to create real, long-term value for both universities. It will focus on facilitating joint research projects, internships, and the development of new academic programmes,” he explained.

Dr. Verma also added that while the discussions are still at a preliminary stage, both sides are optimistic about moving the partnership forward.

Gagan Deep Sharma, Chairperson, Global Ranking and Collaborations Cell, GGSIPU added, “students enrolled under the programme will receive scholarships funded by the University of Saskatchewan and vice-versa, substantially enhancing opportunities for high-quality research and global exposure.”

The conversation particularly emphasized developing partnerships that align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and strengthen indicators that contribute to global ranking frameworks such as QS and THE, he said.

The discussions also underscored the growing importance of collaborative healthcare innovations for both India and Canada.

Highlighting this, Dr. Darcy Marciniuk, a renowned international expert in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) expressed enthusiasm about the partnership.

Dr. Marciniuk added that the complementary strengths of both universities would enable them to build a robust platform for cutting-edge research, entrepreneurial development, and international academic exchange—ultimately expanding their global footprint in higher education.

Echoing this optimism, Dr. Sarah Forgie described the discussions as highly productive. “We explored many common areas of interest and identified several shared challenges. Both our countries face issues such as an ageing population, unequal access to healthcare, and shortages of healthcare providers,” she noted.

We are a research-intensive university, and we see tremendous opportunities for meaningful collaboration across several domains, particularly in health sciences and medicine, said Professor Anurag Saxena (Pathology and Laboratory Medicine), emphasising the University of Saskatchewan’s strong interest in deepening academic and research engagement with GGSIPU.

The other members of the UoS delegation were Dr. Cory Neudorf, Professor of Community Health and Epidemiology, Dr. Meghna Ramaswamy, Director of the International Office, and Dan Zhao, International Partnerships Specialist.

The meeting was also attended by senior administrators and academic leaders from GGSIPU and affiliated institutions, including Dr. Kamal Pathak (Registrar), Prof. Anil K. Saini (Director, Development), Dr. Sudeep Kumar (Director, Research and Innovation), Prof. Nimisha Sharma (Director, Research and Development Cell), Prof. Vijita Singh Aggarwal (Director, International Affairs), and Prof. Promila Gupta (Dean, USBT), along with eminent medical professionals and deans from partner institutions.