Harnessing Canada's potential in International Higher Ed

A recent study by Global Affairs Canada (GAC) revealed that in 2022, the direct and indirect spending of international students contributed CDN$30.9 billion to Canada's GDP.

So international education is not only a means of cultural enrichment but also is a significant economic pillar. The presence of international students strengthens the local economy as it fills labour shortage in businesses, and leads to creative solutions because of the diversity of thoughts.

How can Canada continue to attract international students amid growing global competition?

International students need to see, hear, and feel, that Canada cares: They need to know that Canada still offers all that an international student looks for- high quality education, industry driven programs, part time work (of 24hours a week from September 2024), post graduate work permit up to three years, and various new pathways to PR.

So what’s the problem?

Canada is setting its house in order in a stipulated 24 months period, and we as stakeholders, are with it!

BUT, its the continuous flurry of change in policies being announced over more than six months that has made anyone and everyone an analyst on social media to pass judgements, AND the international student is highly perplexed and does not realize that these changes have all been announced to improve the student experience in the long run! In fact, come September, more announcements are expected on Regulated Framework of Institutions and its impact, changes to PGWP based on different factors, etc.

Meanwhile more policies can be implemented to ensure that more international students benefit both them and the communities they live in. The Canadian government is already looking into increasing communities in the RCIP program which will definitely help better engagement of International students seeking employment within the communities which in turn will help to fill jobs in the labour market there, while the communities adjust to newcomers & temporary residents who are helping to build their local economy. This will lead to cultural exchange and better settlement opportunities for the international students.

Maybe we should next ask , how can Canadian educational institutions innovate to enhance the appeal and quality of education for international students?

Canadian DLIs shd start looking at firstly checking the quality of their recruitment agents to ensure they receive the right fit students.

Next step would be to invest in better student engagement:

1. Planning health care week focused on mental health risks, as current services are a far cry from what international students really need from what we hear from the students.
2. Immigration advice week to include Inadmissibility, Enforcement, Recourse, and International Student Immigration Advising. Believe me, its a very important service and students need it all the time for various purposes.
3. Provide shared student accommodations at reasonable costs to avoid exploitation by unscrupulous landlords
4. Building strong industry partnerships, having regular informal networking events (maybe in local restaurants/pubs – some colleges are already doing this faculty wise) by inviting industry professionals. Universities too need to look at this service as they may tend to think its not their mandate.
5. Engaging with alumni, posting their successful stories, & requesting them to employ current students at least on coops or internships and help to mentor them. Many colleges tend to tell us that we should provide them with their alumni information and I always find it amazing that how are we expected to keep track of thousands of students 4-6 years after they left us over the DLI maintaining their own alumni list!
6. Motivate faculty deans to organize career panels and fairs and may be target them for placement rates of their students, AND work on applied research facilities with incubation hubs to promote innovation,
7. AND also ensure quality buildings as classrooms as one hears of old basements with hanging wires being used as classrooms by public institutions, etc

For all those sociologists out there, how can we figure out the cultural and social effects of having international students, besides just the economic impact?

Here are some examples of the effect of the Indian students in the local communities: Festivals like Holi and Diwali are enjoyed by local community and they dance to the Garba /Bhangra music, Local restaurants start to serve Indian dishes because Indian students /temporary workers skilled in the craft are working in these restaurants, local community begins to respect different faiths and beliefs when they become close friends or colleagues with international students.

This leads towards better mutual trust, enhanced understanding, and productivity in the work place. When these international students later begin to take on leadership roles in the community, over generations the geo politics of the source and destination countries could evolve too.

Student mobility is the first step towards migration, economic development and social evolution of regions. The future of Canadian International education depends upon how they harness these opportunities and address the associated challenges!