The Role of Public and Private Universities in Future of Canada - No Competition but Collaboration

Canada, like many other countries, has an aging population, a declining birth rate, and a growing middle class that requires skilled and general labour. These needs can be met by immigrant students. While enrolment among local students has been largely stable in recent years, the number of foreign students has gradually increased. From 2010/2011 to 2019/2020, the number of foreign students enrolled in official programs increased from 142,170 to 388,788. As a result, the percentage of foreign students enrolled has increased from 7.2% to 17.8% by 2019/2020 [1]. The retention of international students as permanent residents and skilled workers is critical for countries facing a diminishing labour force and Canada as well.

Universities play a crucial role in shaping the future of Canada by providing high-quality education, conducting cutting-edge research, and fostering innovation and entrepreneurship. They are also key drivers of economic growth, attracting talent and investment, and developing the next generation of leaders and thinkers. By preparing students for the jobs of tomorrow, promoting cultural understanding, and serving as centres of civic engagement, universities are vital to building a better future for Canada. Universities will also perform a central role in promoting social justice, equity, and diversity, and addressing the country's major challenges such as climate change and sustainability. Additionally, universities will continue to be significant drivers of regional economic development through their partnerships with local businesses, governments, and communities.

International students face a choice between public and private universities. Public institutions offer lower tuition fees but are often more competitive in terms of admission requirements. Conversely, private institutions have higher tuition fees but are generally more flexible in terms of admission. The primary advantage of a public university over a private university in Canada might be that the Canadian job market tends to favour graduate from public universities.

The quality of a graduates depends on many factors such as students, professors, facilities and research activities that are carried out. Due to the shorter intake time and more flexible admission requirements of private universities, they have attracted the attention of many international students. However, the challenge of attracting more students solely for the purpose of generating revenue, regardless of their quality, has plagued private universities. They should not compromise their educational standards for the sake of financial gains.

Public and private universities are not competitors. Since each of them has its own strengths and weaknesses. Collaboration, rather than competition would be more productive and beneficial for both parties.

Universities should represent the society we want to live in, not the reality we already live in. Without determining what role universities would play in Canada's future, this goal cannot be achieved. Given the speed and complexity of the global society, there is an urgent need to align the architecture and infrastructure of education with the needs of the people that the educational institutions are intended to serve. Public and private universities can collaborate in a variety of ways to promote mutual benefits and advance the broader goals of higher education. Some ways in which public and private universities can support each other include:

• Joint research projects: Collaborating on research projects allows both types of universities to pool resources and expertise, and work towards common goals. Public universities can provide research opportunities and resources to private universities, helping them advance their research goals.
• Student exchanges: Allowing students from one university to attend classes and engage in other activities at the other can broaden their horizons and help break down barriers between public and private institutions.
• Faculty collaborations: Encouraging joint collaborations between faculty members can lead to new insights and approaches to teaching and learning and help build stronger bridges between public and private universities.
• Community engagement: Working together to engage with local communities can help both types of universities fulfill their social responsibilities and have a positive impact on the communities they serve.
• Sharing resources and facilities: Sharing resources, facilities, and expertise can help both types of universities to be more effective and efficient and reduce costs.
• Joint programs and initiatives: Public universities can work with private universities to offer joint programs, such as dual degree programs, which can provide students with greater access to diverse educational opportunities.
• Policy and advocacy: Public universities can work with private universities to advocate for policies that support the broader goals of higher education and benefit both types of institutions.

[1] Studying in Canada, Canada International Student Statistics (Updated 2022), Accessed on 2023-01-30, https://studying-in-canada.org/canada-international-student-statistics , source: www.erudera.com