Canada Aims To Attract More International Students

Canada is among the most sought-after destinations for international students.

In 2018, of the 356,035 study permits issued by the Government of Canada to international students at the post-secondary level, 54.1% went to students belonging to India and China.

Canada – Study permit holders by country [as on December 31, 2018]

Source: International Education Division, Government of Canada

As part of Building on Success: International Education Strategy (2019-2024), the Government of Canada seeks to diversify the education sector, promote global ties, boost the capacity for innovation, along with fostering a vibrant Canadian economy.

The Strategy will also ensure that the Canadian labour force has the requisite talent and skills equipping Canada for successfully competing in the global markets.

Creation of middle-class jobs as well as fostering prosperity across the communities throughout Canada is also on the agenda.

A collective goal of a successful and sustainable international education sector in Canada is to be achieved by the provinces, territories, and stakeholders working alongside, supporting and complementing each other.

As per James Gordon Carr, the Minister of International Trade Diversification, “International education is an essential pillar of Canada’s long-term competitiveness.” As per the Minister, whenever international students choose to study abroad, those students stand to gain an exposure to new ideas and cultures which develops innovation in them and various cross-cultural competencies.

In 2018, international students in Canada are estimated to have contributed about CAD 21.6 billion to Canada’s GDP, along with supporting around 170,000 jobs in the Canadian middle class.

There are indeed many long-term benefits of international education. When overseas students decide to immigrate after completing their education, they contribute to the economic success of the country.

Canada’s new International Education Strategy will have a Budget 2019 allocation of CAD 147.9 million over 5 years, followed by CAD 8 million a year of ongoing funding.

The new International Education Strategy aims at –

• Diversifying the countries from which international students come to Canada. Diversification is also to be sought in the fields of study, location of study, as well as level of study in Canada.
• Encouraging Canadian students to gain new skills by studying and working abroad in various key markets globally, especially Asia.
• Increasing support for Canadian education sector institutions for helping them grow their export services, along with exploring new opportunities globally.

As per the Minister, “Buidling on Success is our blueprint for the future”. This new Strategy is also an important part of Canada’s Trade Diversification Strategy: New Markets, New Customers, New Jobs.

With the recent efforts in the field of international education, Canada has indeed upped its game, so to speak.

Y-Axis offers a wide range of visa and immigration services as well as products to the aspiring overseas immigrants including Y-Path for Students & Freshers and IELTS/PTE One to One 45 min.

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