This year, York’s growing team of international recruitment officers has been working hard to increase the number of out-of-country students on campus, and it’s no coincidence that their efforts in the Indian market have been especially notable.
“India remains a priority market for York,” says Elisa Tortola, York’s manager of international recruitment & marketing. “Indian students are sought after the world over for their academic strength, thanks to the rigor of India’s curriculum and the burgeoning number of international schools that can be found in the country. They bring a rich diversity to our campus and our classrooms, making them a perfect fit for York’s multicultural environment.”
York’s international recruiters have been targeting India through various initiatives, including direct travel to the region, welcoming groups from India onto the University’s campuses and continuing the ongoing communication with prospective students. Last month, while on a cross-country tour of Canadian universities, 13 principals from Indian high schools stopped by York’s Keele campus for a quick tour, a question-and-answer session with some current York students from India and an informative presentation hosted by York’s international recruitment team.
In September, 13 principals from high schools in India visited York’s Keele campus during their cross-country tour of Canadian universities
Back in May, York University’s Keele campus welcomed 162 students, 13 teachers and two principals from two of South India’s top high schools, Chettinad Vidyashram and Montfort A.I. Higher Secondary School, both from the Tamil Nadu region of India. York was given the honour of being the only university stop during the schools’ North American travels. Their whirlwind visit was full of exploring, learning and considering the possibility of studying at York in the not-so-distant future.
Students from two of South India’s top high schools visited York’s Keele campus in May
“We were delighted to welcome these two groups of Indian students to the University, as it gave us a chance to really showcase our facilities and our Faculties in a way that is not always possible with overseas students,” says Tortola. “Although this was the first time we were able to welcome such a large group of Indian students to campus, York’s international team is no stranger to hosting both overseas student groups and international counsellor groups at our campuses.”
The idea for these visits came about during a recent trip to India involving Martin Singer, the dean of the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies (LA&PS) and the University’s director of recruitment. A great deal of planning and collaborative work between the international recruitment team and the Faculties of Health, LAPS and Science & Engineering was required to bring the idea to fruition.
“York’s approach to recruitment has always been multifaceted, including in-country outreach and virtual outreach through targeted online appointments with students, leveraging our government partners overseas and working closely 
with well-respected international organizations such as the Council of International Schools (CIS),” says Tortola. “What adds even more impact, however, is when we have opportunities such as that one to work collaboratively with our Faculty partners.”
High school students from India were treated to a full campus tour
In addition to recruiting students, York has played a pivotal role in Canada-India academic relations. Tortola recently returned from co-directing a delegation of 13 Canadian universities across India this past August as part of the CIS Canadian Higher Education Committee (CHEC) Tour of India, which she also led last year.
“This year’s 2012 tour, the eighth tour of its kind, saw 13 Canadian universities visit top high schools in Mumbai, Delhi, Dehradun, Hyderabad and Bangalore,” says Tortola. “We also hosted a public fair in Pune, a counselor luncheon in Hyderabad and arranged for market briefings with our Canadian consular representatives in Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore.”
With 684 Indian undergraduate students currently attending York, more than230 in graduate studies and more than 1420 Indian alumni, the relationship between York and India is very well-established. Each year, York’s international recruitment team visits India two to three times to help boost York’s Indian student population. Further, York’s Schulich School of Business, which already offers its programs in Mumbai, is set to open a Hyderabad campus in fall 2013.
For more information about York’s international connections, visit the International Future Students page.