UBC Launches South Asia Hub with $4M in Scholarships for Indian Students

The University of British Columbia (UBC) has announced the establishment of a new South Asia Hub, aimed at enhancing academic and research collaboration between Canada and India. This initiative was unveiled during a visit to India by Prime Minister Mark Carney and Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand on February 28, 2026, in Mumbai. The Hub will serve as a coordinated platform to strengthen research partnerships and talent development between the two nations.

As part of this initiative, UBC has entered into a partnership with ATLAS SkillTech University, a pioneering urban multidisciplinary institution located in Mumbai. This collaboration is focused on enhancing transnational education programs and includes a commitment of over $4 million in entrance scholarships for outstanding Indian undergraduate students.

Fostering Collaboration and Innovation

The announcement marks a significant advancement in the federal government’s Canada-India Talent and Innovation Strategy. This strategy is designed to position educational and research partnerships as foundational elements for innovation and sustainable cooperation between Canada and India. Minister Anand emphasized the importance of these initiatives, stating, “Canada welcomes the new Canada-India Talent and Innovation Strategy that will create opportunities for students and researchers, drive economic growth, and reinforce the strong people-to-people ties that connect our two countries.”

The UBC South Asia Hub initially began as a pilot program focused on talent development and student mobility. The new framework aims to expand its role in supporting academic partnerships and industry engagement, thereby enhancing collaboration between Canadian and Indian institutions.

According to UBC President Benoit-Antoine Bacon, the university’s increased engagement in India reflects a commitment to addressing global challenges through meaningful partnerships. He stated, “By strengthening collaboration in India across education, talent development, innovation, and research, we are creating meaningful opportunities for students and scholars in both countries to work together, share expertise, and generate impact that extends far beyond our campuses.”

Investment in Future Talent

As part of the scholarship initiative, UBC has committed to investing significantly in high-achieving Indian students for the 2026 Winter intake. Since the launch of its International Student Initiative merit-based entrance awards program in 2020, UBC has allocated over $89 million in funding to Indian citizens, resulting in 837 award recipients enrolling in various programs.

The partnership with ATLAS SkillTech University is expected to foster collaborative opportunities, particularly in UBC Okanagan’s School of Engineering and Faculty of Management. This includes plans for joint programming and exchange initiatives, such as a dual-degree program, aimed at enriching the academic experience for students at both institutions.

ATLAS SkillTech University’s Chancellor and Founding President, Indu Shahani, noted that collaboration with UBC is part of a broader vision for higher education that transcends borders. “By partnering with UBC, we are creating an academic continuum that begins in India and extends to the global stage,” she remarked.

This expansion of UBC’s initiatives in India builds on a rich history of educational partnerships. UBC has maintained a dedicated presence in India through the UBC-India Liaison Office and has previously hosted the India-Canada Centre for Innovative Multidisciplinary Partnerships to Accelerate Community Transformation and Sustainability (IC-IMPACTS), a $30 million centre focused on advancing joint research.

Since 2020, UBC researchers have collaborated with Indian counterparts, producing over 1,600 joint scientific publications across various disciplines, including medicine, life sciences, and engineering. UBC’s partnerships extend to numerous Indian institutions, enhancing the university’s strategic directions and commitment to global cooperation.

These recent developments signal a robust commitment from UBC to strengthen educational ties with India, fostering opportunities that benefit students and researchers alike, while also contributing to economic growth and cultural exchange between the two countries.