UPEI ‘Talking Circles’ Boost International Students’ Confidence

Source: CBC

The University of Prince Edward Island is hosting “talking circles” to help international students gain confidence in their English language skills. The events, held every second Friday, are organized by the International Relations office and the English Academic Preparation program at the university. At each session, they focus on specific subjects so international students can understand English jargon.

For the full article, please visit the CBC.

ON, PEI negotiate PSE agreements with India

Source: Times of India via Academica

Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne and PEI Premier Wade MacLauchlan have returned from their 10-day trade mission to India and have negotiated new agreements for postsecondary institutions. According to a press release by the Ontario Government, the ON delegation participated in a signing ceremony announcing agreements involving Ryerson University, McMaster University [CIEC Academic Member], Sheridan College, Algonquin College, and Seneca College. According to Canadian Broadcasting Company, the University of Prince Edward Island signed MOUs with two Indian universities.

PEI’s “Reality Budget” Increases PSE Funding

PEI’s “Reality Budget” Increases PSE Funding

Source: Journal Pioneer via Academica

Prince Edward Island has released its latest budget, which Minster of Finance Allen Roach calls a “reality budget,” citing its “economic frugality.” The budget projects a deficit of just under $20M with less than 1% growth in program spending. However, the budget awards postsecondary institutions their first provincial funding increases since 2012. This money boosts University of PEI funding by 8% and Holland College funding by 2.5%. Much of the money for UPEI will go toward establishing a new school of engineering.

Premier Robert Ghiz Strengthens Trade and Academic Ties

Source: High Commission of Canada

Premier of the Canadian Province of Prince Edward Island, Robert Ghiz, led a provincial delegation to India to further strengthen education and business ties with India. In addition to participating in the Vibrant Gujarat Summit, Premier Ghiz also witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Canada’s University of Prince Edward Island and India’s Uka Tarsadia University. In Mumbai, Premier Ghiz interacted with entrepreneurs and innovators at Zone Startups/India.

Maritime Enrolment Held Steady By Out-of-Region, International Students

Source: MPHEC News Release | February 25, 2014

A report released this week by the Maritime Provinces Higher Education Commission (MPHEC) reveals that 70,433 students were enrolled in Maritime universities in 2012-13. While the overall number of students remains steady compared to the year before, the last 10 years have seen the number of Maritimers enrolled decrease by 12%. Over the same time period, the number of Canadians from outside the Maritimes enrolled has increased by 28%, and the number of international students has doubled, shows the report. In PEI, the number of undergraduate students enrolled has increased by 20% over 10 years, but fell by 2.5% over the past year. Meanwhile, in Nova Scotia the number of undergraduate students increased by 4% over 10 years, and 1% over one year; in New Brunswick, the number of undergraduate students decreased by 12% over 10 years, and 1% over one year.

TCS Insights: The amount of international students choosing to study in the Maritimes is on the rise. Specifically, Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia have witnessed overall enrolment numbers rise over the last decade while New Brunswick has made improvements when compared to years prior.