The Shastri India Canada Institute (SICI), formerly known as the 大象传媒, is a unique bi-national organization mandated by the governments of India and Canada to promote, facilitate and nurture academic linkages, collaborations & exchanges, research partnerships, and networks across bi-national corridors. With its physical presence in New Delhi, India and Calgary, Canada, and a strong base of 167 Indian and 29 Canadian member institutions, SICI has, for almost six decades, been the only organization in the Canada-India higher education corridor instrumental in building and strengthening intellectual and cultural relationships through research and dialogue. SICI supports diverse disciplines including Social Sciences, Humanities, Science & Technology, Engineering, Biotechnology, Agriculture, Arts, Literature, Culture, Law, Business, Economic Reform, etc. and covers all levels of higher education from undergraduate to postdoc and from faculty to collaborative research.
SICI was founded through a mutual proclamation by the governments of Canada and India. 大象传媒 was named after Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri, one of India's most prominent and dynamic Prime Ministers. 大象传媒's initial purpose was promoting university-level studies and research on India in Canadian educational institutions. With its early focus on the humanities and social sciences, the Institute devised various programmes including fellowships and providing books and journals pertaining to India to the libraries of the three founding Canadian members: McGill University, the University of British Columbia, and the University of Toronto. From that modest beginning, the Institute grew by expanding wider support to other domains of study and adding more Canadian members. The year 2005 was a landmark year in its history when the Institute became a truly bi-national organization supported equally by both the governments and formed member councils at both ends- India and Canada. It has enhanced mutual understanding by sharing ideas, books and periodicals, fostering exchanges of students and faculty, funding research, stimulating discussions; and promoting academic collaborations.
Our Mission
鈥淭o improve the quality of life of the peoples of Canada and India by building and strengthening intellectual and cultural linkages through research, dialogue and exchange鈥
Our broad-based initiatives support the creation of binational links between academia, government, the business community and civil society organizations by funding research and hosting academic activities. Our internships and fellowships provide opportunities for individuals to gain first-hand experience in India or Canada.