University of Toronto extends support to Indian students, draws up plans for those unable to travel for new term

As relations between India and Canada refuse to thaw, students from the country who are scheduled to start sessions in Canadian universities in the Fall are in a dilemma - is it safe to head to Canada?

In an attempt to alleviate fears, Canada's biggest university, the University of Toronto, has released a statement extending support to all Indian students enrolled in the university.

"The @UofT is proud to welcome so many students from #India to our three campuses, and are committed to supporting them, and our broader community, during these difficult times," Joseph Wong, Vice-President, University of Toronto said in a post on social media platform X.



The university also shared resources for international students, including immigration and visa support, academic support services, and personal support services along wit a Mental Health Portal.

For undergraduate students seeking academic support, a helpdesk is readily available, allowing them to reach out to their respective faculty or college registrar. Graduate students, on the other hand, can seek guidance from their department or the school of graduate studies.

The University is committed to its longstanding partnerships in India that support academic collaborations in a wide range of areas and provide invaluable global learning opportunities for our students. We look forward to continuing and deepening these relationships, aligned with our mutual goal of making a difference locally and globally, the university said in a statement.

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"We want to assure all impacted members of our community – and in particular international students – that you are welcome here and we are deeply committed to supporting your wellbeing. We encourage you to make use of the resources below if you need support or have questions," it added.

Acknowledging that the temporary suspension of visa processing for travelers from Canada may hinder face-to-face interactions in the short term, the university reaffirms its dedication to nurturing these relationships through online channels.

U of T is home to more than 2,400 international students from India. According to data from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), a total of 226,450 visas were approved for Indian students in 2022.

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