A delegation led by Mark D Evered, president and vice-chancellor, University of Fraser Valley, Canada, visited Punjabi University, Patiala.
The delegation called on vice-chancellor Jaspal Singh and discussed academic pursuits of both the varsities, including exchange programmes for faculty and students from India to Canada and vice-versa. The delegation members also evinced interest in Punjabi language and literature and cultural development programmes being undertaken by the Punjabi University.

Jaspal Singh said that Punjabi University had the mandate to promote Punjabi language, literature and culture. He suggested the foreign dignitaries to explore the areas of common interest between the two universities. Punjabi University is already working on Indo-North American Studies Project, Centre for Diaspora Studies and a newly-carved project "Punjabis away from home".

Other members of the Canadian varsity delegation included Satwinder Kaur Bains of Indo-Canadian Studies, Prabhjot Parmar of English department and George Peary of business management department.