Ahmedabad: The JG Institute of Foreign Studies (JGIFS) here on Friday inked a pact with Canada's Seneca College to offer career-oriented diploma programmes for students topursue courses in fields like fashion and tourism.

"This joint venture is the first of its kind in Gujarat where students can pursue foreign education at Ahmedabad itself without spending too much money and time abroad," said John Geevarghese, chairman of the Asia Charitable Trust that runs 14 colleges and two schools.

Said Frederick C. Miner, president of Seneca College, Toronto: "This programme is designed to provide a unique college and university experience to the students here."

JGIFS, in partnership with Seneca College, will offer post-graduate diplomas in International Business Management, Fashion Business and Tourism and Flight Services, among others. Three semesters would be completed here while one will be completed in Canada.

These vocation-oriented courses are recognised throughout the world, Geevarghese added.

Seneca college is one of Canada's largest post-graduate and under-graduate level institutions with 90,000 part-time and 27,000 students and offers 145 programmes, said Miner.

"The key to a successful career in a global economy is having an internationally recognised polytechnic education and training which Seneca provides," he added. IANS