New Delhi: "Come study in Canada" is the message that 15 varsities from that country have for Indian students. Representatives of these varsities are currently here on a 10-day tour visiting various schools and interacting with students to promote themselves as the ideal destination for higher education.

According to the Canadian high commission in India, more than 5,400 Indian students are presently studying in Canadian universities.

Promising an environment that is safe and friendly and an education system that is a blend of the best of the US and UK education system, representatives of the universities said that until now higher education in Canada did not see as many international takers as the US or the UK simply because it was less advertised.

"Canadian universities offer high quality education with globally recognized degrees. It has not been as well advertised as higher education in the US or UK. Yet, in my university, the Ryerson university in Toronto, Indians make up the highest number of the 900 foreign students," Michelle Beaton, the tour director, told sources.

The tour, the fourth of its kind in India, travelled across 20 schools in Bangalore, Pune and Mumbai, before concluding in Delhi.

"In Delhi, we are visiting nine schools, which includes the Delhi Public school, R.K. Puram, the British school and the Vasant Valley school. The tour concludes Aug 28 and we hope that by the end of it we would have convinced most of the students that Canada is the ideal destination for higher studies," Beaton said.

Among the courses most in demand among the Indian students in these universities are biotechnology, computer engineering, aerospace engineering, telecommunication and business management.

"The programmes most in demand correspond to the popularity of the subject here. Therefore although courses like engineering and business management maybe more expensive than other courses, they are still more popular," said Elisa Tortola.

Although it may vary from university to university, on an average, the total cost of studying in Canada, which includes the tution fee and boarding, is 20,000 to 30,000 Canadian dollars a year.

"We also give scholarships to meritorious students. So if one wants, they can avail them. Most of them are, however, partial scholarships," Beaton said.

The varsities can be contacted at www.cois.org for further details. IANS