In response to the recently discovered and removed racist posters on campus, the Sikh Students’ Association and the World Sikh Organization of Canada held a turban-tying event called “Turban, eh?” in the University of Alberta Students’ Union building. The event invited any interested persons to have a turban tied on their heads, and provided the opportunity for participants to ask the volunteers questions. Faculty, staff, and students from UAlberta were joined by politicians and community members for the event. UAlberta President David Turpin commented that he was filled with pride at the event, stating that “it really is an opportunity to stand up and say what it means to be Canadian.”
Many students who have access to international experiences during higher education don’t realise their value until after they have graduated, according to a recent survey. It found that study abroad, overseas internships, language courses and intercultural exchanges are all overlooked by students as they studied. However, in the survey of more than 1,000 graduates, three-quarters said they felt it was the responsibility of their institutions to offer access to international opportunities.
Our 10th annual Canada-India: A Synergy in Education conference will took place on September 23 from 1 – 5pm at the Ontario Investment & Trade Centre. Scroll through the presentation below for a brief recap.
CIEC would like to thank all Synergy 2016 speakers and attendees for helping to make this year’s event yet another success. We hope the conference provided you with the chance to network with like-minded individuals while furthering the discussion of programs and policies in education that have been hailed as priorities.
Capilano University [CIEC Academic Member] has signed agreements with Douglas College, Langara College [CIEC Academic Member], and Okanagan College that will allow students from all three colleges to transfer directly into year three of Capilano’s bachelor of Arts with a major in Liberal Studies. Capilano states that applicants who meet agreed-upon requirements will be guaranteed admission to the university with full block transfer of credits. All three agreements are reportedly in effect for the September 2016 intake of students. “With these partnerships, we’re pleased to ease the transfer process for eligible college students to efficiently complete their education at our University,” says Richard Gale, acting president of Capilano University. “We are happy to continue to strengthen our partnerships with these colleges.”
The India Canada Friendship Circle (ICFC) 2016 lecture series included a thought-provoking presentation on Science, Technology and Innovation Partnerships by Mr. Harry Sharma, Manager, Canada-India Centre for Excellence (CICE), Carleton University. The session was chaired by ICFC Vice President and Mathematics Professor, Dr. Steven Desjardins. ICFC members and Dr. Roseann O’Reilly Runte, President and Vice Chancellor of Carleton University joined in the stimulating dialogue and networking. The following is a summary of Mr. Sharma’s perspectives and views on the need to understand the cultural and economic climate in India to forge successful and innovative partnerships.
More details on ICFC can be found at the following website: http://www.icfc.ws
Transformation Today’s India is experiencing an economic transition unparalleled anywhere else in the world. Regardless of the measures used to describe the country’s growth rate or its increasing GDP, it is sobering to take a moment to consider the scale of the transformation. More than 65 percent of India’s population is under the age of 35, approximately 650 million people. And soon, the annual per capita income in India will cross the economically significant 100,000 Rupees (or roughly $1,500) threshold. Many economists expect that meeting this threshold will lead to a more consuming and aspirational population – an average Indian’s propensity to consume non-necessity goods and services will become significantly higher. This represents an opportunity that Canada cannot afford to miss.
Partnership Canadians must demonstrate a desire to forge a true partnership with India, and not just establish a “seller-buyer arrangement”. As any businessperson or scholar who has worked in India can attest, building trust and credibility is the first, and arguably the hardest, step toward partnering with India. It is incumbent upon us as a country to invest in building human capacity as well as business models that are specifically designed to build trust with India.Our small businesses and start ups, for example, must be encouraged to learn about Indian realities: cultural sensitivities, business practices, regulatory environments, government incentives, and above all, consumer behaviour. Many of the products that are developed to address North American or European consumers will find it hard to be “localized” for India because fundamental consumer behaviours can vary widely. A perfect example is Flipkart’s “Cash on Delivery” model for e-commerce. Flipkart, India’s largest e-commerce company, realized early on that credit card penetration in India will pose a significant challenge as there are only about 20 million credit cards in a country of 1.25 billion people. So Flipkart devised a model that would allow it to sell merchandise to people without a credit or a debit card.
Potential Canada’s exports to India account for roughly 0.8% of our total exports, and an annual bilateral trade of approximately $8 billion, only $1 billion more than our trade with Netherlands, which has a population equal to that of New Delhi. It is unfair to make this comparison, of course, given that per capita income is significantly higher in the Netherlands than in India, yet it is helpful for conveying the trade growth potential with India. The CICE at Carleton University is developing specialized courses, in partnership with Indian partners, to provide exposure and training for Canadian businesses and policy makers. The CICE also continues to support policy relevant research to identify the best ways to engage with India that will lead to a robust partnership.
In the absence of any data on Indian students studying abroad, the government has launched a registration module for them so they could be reached in case of emergency.
The India Canada Friendship Circle is hosting an event on September 25 at Rockcliffe Park Community Centre Hall in Ottawa featuring MP Chandra Arya. He will discuss the role of MPs in strengthening Canada–India Parliamentary Relations. Admission is $12 & guests are welcome.
The past five years show a “national trend toward a steady rise in the number of overseas students arriving in Canada,” reports the Edmonton Journal. The article notes that Manitoba has nearly doubled the number of international students studying in the province since 2011-12, while Alberta has seen a 40% increase and Saskatchewan has seen a 24% increase over the same period. The article highlights how specific institutions in AB have promoted themselves to international students and how they benefit from growing international cohorts. “Internationalization is important because the world is becoming more globalized and it’s important that students and staff have the capabilities to work well with each other,” says NorQuest College Chair of Graduate Studies Ron Horton.
“The intrinsic value of developing a broad world view through international education is self-evident,” writes [CIEC Academic Member] Western University President Amit Chakma. The author highlights a number of strides the federal government has made to boost the role of international education in Canada, which include rebranding the country as an education destination, improving the Express Entry program, and renewing the country’s commitment to study abroad. Chakma also takes time to remind readers that in addition to the country’s ambitious targets, “what’s more important to consider is the philosophy behind the idea, along with the merits of pursuing such a policy more aggressively to better support the development of our future global citizens.” Chakma concludes with a discussion of the barriers currently faced by students looking to pursue study abroad and how institutions and governments might better address them.
Canada-based CIBT Education Group has sold [CIEC Academic Member] Acsenda School of Management in Vancouver for around CAN$5m, to an undisclosed multinational investor. Proceeds from the sale will go towards CIBT’s accommodation arm and to identify future acquisition opportunities in the international language and career college sectors.
“We need to start shifting our focus from the benefits [international] students bring, to ways that we can help them succeed while they are attending our institutions,” writes Colin Aitchison for the OUSA. Aitchison critiques the ways that current discussions about international students talk about the “benefits” these students bring to Canadian universities, such as “unique perspectives in class discussions” or “a significant economic impact.” While these benefits are real, the author writes, they also draw attention away from the significant barriers that international students face at Canadian institutions. Aitchison outlines several ways that institutions can shift the focus of this discussion by better supporting international students.
Canada will require a historic effort to supply the number of tech experts it needs to be a world economic leader in the 21st-century, write Stephen Lake and Sarah Prevette for the Globe and Mail. The authors outline four strategies that Canada can use to produce an additional 150,000 tech experts in the near future, which include making coding part of the education curriculum as early as elementary school; expanding postsecondary co-op programs; fighting for gender equality and parity, particularly in the STEM disciplines; and encouraging immigration.
A recent change to international student visa requirements has caused concern among Nova Scotia’s English language schools, reports CBC. Introduced in July, the new legislative changes require international students in Canada to obtain a second visa before moving from secondary to postsecondary school. “What happened before the changes is students could apply for language training and university training and receive one study permit to cover the whole of the time that they were going to be in Canada,” says Sheila Nunn, president of East Coast School of Languages in Halifax. “This gave them the confidence that they knew that they would go on to the university, they didn’t have to apply for any other paperwork.” Nunn adds that the new regulations might jeopardize pathways programs currently established at NS universities.
“If university is about higher education, international experience—travelling, working, or studying in other countries—is about broader education,” writes University of St Michael’s College President David Mulroney. The author reflects on the impact that his own travels abroad had on his undergraduate study and on his personal and intellectual development. Mulroney adds that the value of travel abroad, for him, is “the benefit of experiencing things for myself, testing my assumptions, and trying to see the world as others see it.” Mulroney concludes that Canada and its institutions need to do a better job of promoting opportunities for students to travel abroad, citing current statistics showing that while 97% of schools offer these opportunities, only 3% of students pursue them.
McGill University has partnered with India’s Manipal University to launch the new Manipal McGill Center for Infectious Diseases. A recently signed MoU commits both schools to supporting collaboration on research and training initiatives relating to the study and treatment of infectious and tropical diseases. The Times of Indiareports that both schools have major strengths in the study of these diseases and that the new MoU builds on research collaborations already being undertaken by the schools. Manipal Vice-Chancellor Vinod Bhat declared in his inaugural address that the Centre will work to inform the scientific community, guide policy makers, and provide public health education.
The Canadian government has quietly introduced an important change to how it processes visas for students entering Canada to pursue conditional admissions or pathway programmes. Under the new processing policy, visa officers are instructed to issue a study permit – that is, a Canadian study visa – only for the period of the student’s prerequisite studies. After successfully concluding any such preparatory studies, the student will now be asked to apply for a further study permit to cover the period of their planned academic programme. This is a departure from the previous practice which saw visa officers issue a single study permit for the entire duration of both programmes.
For the complete article, please visit ICEF Monitor.
A new study claims that 41% of surveyed students from outside the UK are less likely to study in Britain after the Brexit referendum, reports Times Higher Education, butCanada was found to be a popular alternative for international study. The students listed a number of concerns with the UK in light of the referendum that made it less attractive. When asked about alternative study destinations, The Independent reports that as many as 32% stated that they would choose Canada as an alternative study destination, followed by Germany, Australia, and the US. The Chronicle of Higher Education observes that the US could also see difficulties in international recruitment as a result of the upcoming American election, and notes that “Canada could be the biggest winner” when it comes to recruitment.
India’s University Grants Commission (UGC) announced new regulations on 22 June 2016, since formally published on 13 July 2016, that aim to open up additional links between Indian and foreign universities with the goal to “offer students additional choices, improve curriculum and the delivery of knowledge and educational content.” Under the new regulations, Indian universities will now be permitted to apply to the UGC to establish partnerships with foreign institutions. This is a departure from previous guidelines, issued in 2012, under which only foreign universities could initiate such agreements – an opportunity that has not been taken up by a single foreign institution in the years since. The lack of activity in this area may reflect confusion or uncertainty on the part of foreign partners as to how to navigate the complex Indian bureaucracy, and the new regulations appear to be an attempt to provide Indian institutions with a clear process for building such international links.
New research from the University of Ottawa on Canadian PSE graduate earnings between 2005 and 2013 has found that graduates from nearly all disciplines see salary increases over time. Graduates of bachelor’s programs saw a 66% increase in their average yearly earnings 8 years after graduation, while college diploma graduates saw a 59% increase. While graduates in STEM fields and business generally had higher salaries and greater earning growth, those from other disciplines, “including the oft-maligned Humanities and Social Sciences bachelor’s graduates,” also performed well. The report states that “very few graduates had truly barista-level earnings even to start, and they increasingly moved even further from that level as they gained labour market experience.”
Based in Toronto, with an active Vancouver chapter, CIEC has over 100 members across Canada and India. CIEC helps institutions position themselves in an increasingly competitive marketplace by combining corporate governance in a public-private partnership & an entrepreneurial methodology to be financially independent & sustainable. As CIEC widens its membership to Institutions we invite you to join us as we enhance ties and create opportunities. Members have an array of networking opportunities to showcase their institutions in this vibrant corridor.
Your CIEC Membership also serves as a way to profile your College or University program, accomplishments & commitments in this sector. With discussions led by experts via our monthly newsletter ‘Disha’ (reaching over 18,000 academics & thought leaders from both countries), members can highlight recent developments, dialogue on emerging opportunities and discuss new initiatives and ideas. CIEC’s highly penetrative and potent social media network reaches academic champions, government representatives and policy makers as well as key Canadian & Indian Colleges and Universities.
CIEC invites you to build on past successes & work towards a promising future. The budget friendly membership of only $100/month will not only demonstrate your interest in reaching out to key academic leaders from other institutions but also afford access to exclusive ‘Member Only’ events including hosting visiting delegations on your campus. In celebration of our 10th anniversary, CIEC is offering 18 months of membership for the price of 12.
To become a Member & be counted as a leader in this dynamic sector, click here to get started. We look forward to working with you.
New regulations to allow Indian universities to collaborate with universities and colleges overseas and enable Indian students to gain credits for study abroad semesters were announced by India’s Human Resource Development Minister Smriti Irani recently. The measures are aimed at bringing world-class education to Indian students, as well as improving higher education curricula, through increased interaction with overseas universities.
A recent survey from Languages Canada reveals that Canada witnessed a decline in English Language Teaching enrolments in 2015. According to the research, the number of students studying English in Canada was reduced from 137,416 in 2014 to 133,910 in 2015. These results represent an overall drop of 6.31% over the four years from 2012 to 2015. “International researchers have remarked that the global language travel sector growth is slowing down. This year’s annual survey report confirms the predictions,” said Languages Canada Executive Director Gonzalo Peralta. “However, it is clear now that Canada’s language education sector is not simply slowing in growth, it is underperforming. Not only have we failed to keep pace, we have actually shrunk.”
Millennials and senior experts might disagree on the value of a university education, suggests a recent article in the Ottawa Citizen. David Cook, a 21 year-old who recently quit a job stocking grocery shelves, told the Citizen that he is skeptical about whether the alleged “one-size-fits-all” model of university education can support students in finding out what they truly want to do with their lives. Yet retired University of Toronto economics professor David Foot argues that the increasing proportion of young people with postsecondary credentials has in fact made a bachelor’s degree “the new high school degree.”
[CIEC Academic Member] Carleton University’s Canada-India Centre has partnered with Indian institutions to develop improved programming for working in India and strengthening innovation and trade between Canada and India. A partnership with the International School of Management Excellence will allow the institutions to explore academic and research collaboration opportunities in the business and management fields, while a partnership with the Bombay Stock Exchange Institute will allow the CICE to offer new certificate programs on the Indian business innovation system and Indian investment opportunities.
“Business leaders want to hire graduates with international skills and perspectives, who are comfortable working across languages and cultures,” says Universities Canada President Paul Davidson. Yet challenges remain for the more than 80% of Canadian universities who have “internationalization” as part of their strategic plans. Recent data shows that only 3% of Canadian university students study abroad, and the article details some of the efforts that Canadian schools are making to help boost these participation rates.
Indian universities and colleges will be allowed to collaborate with foreign institutions but they must let students study abroad for at least one semester of their postgraduate course and two semesters for an undergraduate degree.
These are part of changed guidelines of the University Grants Commission (UGC), which are viewed as the government’s push to broaden the scope and quality of education in the country as well as encourage healthy competition.
Union human resource development minister Smriti Irani announced on Wednesday the changes made by the country’s higher education regulator.
“This step has been taken … to increase synergy between Indian and foreign academic institutions to offer students additional choices, improve curriculum and the delivery of knowledge and educational content,” she said.
The degree from such a twinning arrangement will be issued by the Indian institution but the certificate will mention the name of the foreign institute, Irani said. A joint degree is still not permitted in India.
Previous rules barred Indian institutions from directly applying for a tie-up with a foreign university. But foreign institutes from abroad could seek permission from the UGC for academic collaborations.
The rule fell flat as no foreign institute ever approached the UGC for such tie-ups. Also, there was no provision for students to study abroad for a few semesters.
Employers in Ontario might be more willing to hire international students if they are confident about the support governments and universities might offer them, according to a new study by researchers at York University. Titled “International students as ideal immigrants: Ontario employers’ perspective,” the report notes that confusion around immigration and work regulations can be a significant barrier to employers when it comes to hiring international students and graduates. The report also found that while employers had a high level of confidence in international students’ hard skills, they were concerned about a lack of communication skills and extracurricular engagement. The report offers a series of recommendations that governments and institutions might follow to address these concerns and others.
A Canada-based scheme that funds mobility scholarships for projects promoting global leadership between Canada and the Commonwealth has welcomed a CAN$10m contribution from the International Development Research Centre.
Carleton University President [and CIEC Academic Advisor] Roseann O’Reilly Runte has signed an MOU with the High Commissioner of India to Canada to renew a visiting chair focused on India-related studies at Carleton. Valid for five years, the agreement will see Carleton [CIEC Academic Member] host a visiting professor who will serve as a chair for a four-month semester each academic year. “The India Chair has proven to be a wonderful experience,” said Runte. “It’s an opportunity for us to build bridges of culture and understanding, and to have our students exposed to different forms of teaching. It’s very significant that the Indian government is doing this with Carleton. India has such a rich culture to share.”
New international student intake growth in Canada is slowing, standing at 4.5% in 2015 – less than half the year-over-year growth rates reported in 2014 and earlier. The figures mean that universities can no longer be complacent when it comes to attracting international students, according to the Illuminate Consulting Group, which compiled the figures.
Universities will sometimes compromise on principles like academic freedom, gender equity, and freedom of speech when establishing campuses in other countries, writes Elizabeth Redden for Inside Higher Ed. The author highlights some of the takeaways from a recent conference on the subject, which brought experts together to discuss some of the ways that schools can structure their partnership agreements to better protect their institutions’ values internationally. As one US higher ed leader notes, there is always the “challenge of bringing liberal education to societies and environments which are difficult, where it’s not familiar, where you’re not used to doing this type of education and where you might have creeping authoritarianism.”
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Mohamed Lachemi is the kind of immigrant Canada wants. “I came to Canada as an international student exactly 30 years ago,” he tells Times Higher Education. “Canada attracted me not just to study but to stay.” He is now the vice-chancellor of industry-focused Ryerson University in downtown Toronto and, in line with federal plans, wants to become “more aggressive” in attracting international students to his institution. Ryerson aims to double its numbers over the next three to five years.
In Canada, official policy, as well as political rhetoric, is… welcoming. In 2014 the country set out plans to attract 450,000 international students by 2022, roughly double the numbers in 2011.
Canada has the “softest” approach to screening for student visa fraud, according to a recent study of four countries that are popular destinations for international students. Ellie Bothwell of Times Higher Education reports that according to the study, Canada’s provincially led system for awarding degrees “can allow more room for corruption” and has allegedly “damaged” the country’s international reputation. Report author Rachael Merola argues that Canada must take a more proactive approach to dealing with student visa fraud if it wishes to remain a top destination for students.
A new survey shows that employability and career goals are major contributors to a student’s decision to study abroad, reports the ICEF Monitor. However, the survey also notes a growing openness toward other forms of education beyond university, and a willingness to remain in a home country if domestic programs improve. The report concludes that competition for attracting international students is continuing to grow worldwide, and warns stakeholders about the dangers of relying on “gut feelings” instead of reliable data when pursuing international enrolment strategies.
Partnerships between PSE and business are essential for making Canada a more competitive and prosperous country, according to Conference Board of Canada CEO Daniel Muzyka. A recent Conference Board study shows that such partnerships provide businesses with greater access to world-class expertise and resources, which boosts their capacity for innovation and fosters economic growth. NSERC Vice-President of Research Partnerships Bettina Hamelin adds that these partnerships often include local communities and address a host of challenges ranging from food security to quantum technology. “The list is long,” she adds, “and the challenges may be local, provincial, national or global.” The article concludes by discussing specific examples of PSE-business partnerships and how industry, higher education, and local communities have benefitted from them.
Mount Saint Vincent University has partnered with Venor in an effort to help international student graduates find employers and opportunities to start their careers in Nova Scotia. The partnership marks the latest step in the Nova Scotia Scholars Program, which provides personalized career plans that include career building, networking, work experience, and immigration support for participants. “The Mount is committed to assisting international students who choose to remain in the province,” said Paula Barry Mercer, Associate Vice President of Student Experience at MSVU. “Keeping more graduates in Nova Scotia is an important step in helping to ensure the future prosperity of our province.”
Canada needs to act fast in order to gain the economic benefits associated with international students, writes Kareem El-Assal for University Affairs. Some barriers currently in place in Canada may deter prospective international students and steer them in another country’s direction. Obstacles such as slow student visa processing times, inadequate settlement and integration services, and difficulty attaining permanent residency are among issues potentially hindering Canada’s ability to recruit international talent. While the government has implemented a number of strategies to combat these issues, El-Essal says that further immediate action is required to ensure the successful recruitment and retention of future skilled workers to Canada.
Quacquarelli Symonds has released its new Higher Education System Strength Rankings, and Canada’s system has ranked fifth overall. QS describes the new rankings as “an assessment of overall system strength and flagship university performance, alongside factors relating to access and funding.” The United States led the overall rankings, followed by the UK, Germany, and Australia. While Canada ranked fourth overall in the “Access” category, it ranked ninth in the “Economic” and “System” categories.
Graduates of foreign medical schools often face a significant clash of cultures when they pursue two-year family medicine residencies in Canada, according to a new study from researchers at the University of Alberta and University of Calgary. The report notes that while Canada relies heavily on international medical graduates, many of these graduates may struggle with unfamiliar cultural experiences, such as being taught by female instructors, working with the mentally ill, and having difficulty with the nuances of English. “In some countries, males look after males and females look after females,” said Olga Szafran, associate research director in the University of Alberta’s family-medicine department and the study’s lead author, “but we can’t be selective in the kind of patients that our physicians end up treating.”
“Today, our graduates are competing with their peers all over the world for the jobs of tomorrow,” writes Christa Ovenell, director and principal of Fraser International College, and Canada’s students will need to thrive in a globalized workforce if they wish to remain relevant in a 21st-century economy. Instead of trying to provide massive numbers of domestic students with international experience via study abroad, Ovenell suggests that Canada should focus more on attracting international students to a greater number of Canadian institutions. Despite the growing number of international students studying in Canada, Ovenell concludes, “those international students are densely concentrated at only a handful of institutions, resulting in a deficit of experience for the vast majority of our domestic students.”
According to Amit Chakma, president of [CIEC Academic Member] Western University and chair of the federal government’s Advisory Panel on Canada’s International Education Strategy, the Canadian government has recently shown positive signs towards international students hoping to study in Canada. By reviewing the steps these students must take to achieve permanent residency, in addition to changes made to citizenship requirements, Canada aims to make it easier for these students to pursue an education and work in the country after graduating.
The changes in the way that young people learn is “forcing the educational system to adapt to the learners, and not vice versa,” writes Sophia Sanchez for Inside Higher Ed. The author argues that such change means that educators need to better understand how members of the Millennial generation differ from those who came before. Among their attributes, reports Sanchez, are shorter attention spans, a preference for collaborative learning, and a drive for instant gratification. To help address these changes, Sanchez recommends that educators establish clear learning outcomes, deliver knowledge in small doses, and use a mix of different teaching methods. A recent survey from the US News & WorldReport’s “Best Countries” platform has also shown that Millennials (aged 18 to 35) from around the globe view Canada as the best country in the world.
Study abroad is invaluable for “helping prepare our students to become global citizens,” writes college president John Roush, which is why Roush encourages “parents of college students in general to be supportive of their sons and daughters who seek to embark on similar experiences at whatever institution they attend.” Roush notes that as the world grows ever smaller, today’s PSE students will need to foster a greater understanding of how work is conducted on the global stage. The author concludes that study abroad experiences “will prepare young women and men to engage with others despite distance, language, and culture in whatever profession they choose, even if they never live or work abroad.”
In keeping with past ‘Synergy’ events (organized since 2007) which have tended to attract thought leaders from leading Colleges and Universities, we invite you to participate and add to the ongoing dialogue between academics of both countries. In order to expand this ‘dynamic and burgeoning’ corridor, we need to constantly share ideas on new initiatives and best practices. Sessions at ‘Synergy’ are intended to encourage frank and candid discussion and allow sharing of experiences and an understanding on what works (and what doesn’t) via a medium of workshops, presentations and panel discussions in a multitude areas.
Attendees at past ‘Synergy’ Conferences have tended to be senior level administrators and academics from both countries and your presentation should take that into consideration. You can make a safe assumption that they have a basic knowledge of and | or are already involved in the ‘Canada-India education corridor’. This session could be a great opportunity to highlight / showcase your academic programs and/or get feedback from your peers in the audience.
Finally, please indicate the length of your presentation/workshop (20 or 30 minutes each) and specify if you require AV and/or other technical equipment. A laptop, projector & screen will be made available.
Potential Criteria for Choosing Presentations:
Clearly outline the context for the presentation, the target audience it wishes to address and should have a direct relevance to current issues relating to the theme/title of your presentation.
Presentation should have a good mix of obvious practical applications and identify whether it is suitable for newcomersor geared toward experienced professionals.
Present a clear argument & articulate your position (for or against & have moderator sum up the ‘round table’).
Please send us a 50 word (mini) session description to [email protected] by May 31, 2016 along with your session title and names of co-presenters (if any) and we will follow up/notify you if we have questions. All (co) presenters and panelists will receive discounted registration fee at the member rate.
Educators in British Columbia predict a new Air Canada flight between Delhi and Vancouver starting this autumn will benefit academic partnerships and hope it will entice more Indian students to the province.
To view the full article, please visit The PIE News.
As postsecondary institutions become increasingly internationalized, colleges are noticing that their faculty members must also adapt to meet the cultural and pedagogical needs of their new classrooms, writes Karin Fischer for the Chronicle of Higher Education. The article discusses a number of faculty methods for better reaching international students, such as posting lecture slides online, ending lectures early to allow for questions, and providing translations of classroom slides or syllabi. “There are many different ways that students learn, no matter where they are from,” says Association of International Education Administrators Executive Director Darla Deardorff, who adds that “changing our strategies doesn’t mean we are … making our courses any less rigorous.”
While taking a sip of my masala chai with alu paratha, I am staring at these kids throwing colorful powder at each other, laughing and running in every direction. The city is calm, the sun is clear and the air is fresh. So much to see, so much to taste, so much to discover: Welcome to India.
Even after two years, some people still ask with stupefaction, why I left Canada for India to pursue my Master’s Degree and if I did not have universities in my own country. Most of the time I quickly answer that I came to India to specialize in agriculture economics and Indo-Canadian relations but that is just one part of the truth. The other part is that after my undergraduate program, I made the decision of offering myself the greatest gift: I went to study abroad. I chose myself for two years. A gift from yourself to yourself that changes your whole perception of life and its intrinsic value. Studying abroad leaves you by yourself with your knowledge, culture and values in the middle of a whole new world where the culture is different, the religions are different, the language and food habits are different, where everything is to discover. The real challenge is to find the strength to adapt in this new world without losing who you are.
After my studies in International Economics and Development at the University of Ottawa, I wanted to become an economist. Specifically, I wanted to become a development economist. The kind that can bring efficient economic solutions and alternatives based on a deep understanding of the social, cultural and historical background. After my third year of Bachelor’s Degree, I was selected by the Ontario/Maharashtra Goa Student Exchange Program to pursue the Student India Program in Symbiosis International University in Pune, India. I came back to Canada to finish my last year of undergraduate studies and started to prepare my application to conduct a Master’s Degree in India. After my graduation, I received the Commonwealth Scholarship Plan in collaboration with the Indian Council for Cultural Relations and the Department of Foreign Affairs of Canada, which gave me the opportunity to pursue the Master’s Degree in Economics at Hyderabad Central University in India.
It took me almost a year to plan and prepare what was going to be the biggest trip of my life, with myself as my only travel partner and my humility and curiosity as carrying luggage. To anyone thinking about pursuing a degree or a semester abroad, few steps can guide you:
1)Choose a country, read about its culture, history and social development. See if it peaks your curiosity to the point where you are determined to live and experince it by yourself.
2)Look for the different educational programs that are offered by the host country and if the diploma obtained abroad will be recognized by your home country or own institution. You can discuss with your teachers and determinethe added-value of this diploma to your career. Discuss with your parents and friends about your project, ask their opinion and determine the pros and cons.
3)Look for scholarships offered by the Provincial and Federal governments, such as the Department of Global Affairs Canada, NGOs, organizations for international studies, LOGIQ for students from Quebec, Indian Council for Cultural Relations, Canada India Education Council, Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute, Commonwealth Scholarship Plan, Ontario/Maharashtra Goa Student Exchange Program. Also, many Canadian universities are offering scholarships to students willing to complete a semester abroad.
4)Construct a budget of the expected expenditures and fees. Try to determine the total cost of this project, including flight tickets, visa fees, accommodations and living expenditures, fix a budget if you want to travel across the country. By preparing your project in advance, you can find many helpful ideas, you can ask for the flight tickets as birthday or graduation gift from your family and friends, save money from part-time work to achieve this specific goal, work with NGOs and seek out sponsorships. If there is no solution, it is because there was no problem at the beginning.
5)Make an appointment at a travel health clinic. The specialists will give you advice and preventions for the specific country you will travel to, discuss with your doctor about the different options to ensure your security abroad. For example, ask about the prevention of malaria, hepatitis, rabies, yellow fever, Japanese encephalitis and if you should receive any specific vaccine before leaving.
6)Learn more about the culture, the university where you will study, the basic courtesies of the country, watch documentaries on the social challenges the country is facing, learn more about their history and language. The better your preparation, the easier your adaptation to this new environment will be.
7) Enjoy, learn, share and make a lot of friends.
I hope this article brings to you the fire required to conduct what I believe is the biggest trip of your life. You will face challenges, culture shocks and misunderstandings, but you need to look beyond that. You will discover a new culture, make life-long friends, learn a new language, you will see landscapes that you can normally only see in movies. The memories and friendships created will remain long after the completion of your studies. By the way, the picture was taken in Munnar, Kerala in December 2015. Yes, life as an international student is pretty boring as you can see 😉 Give it a try, you will be surprised!
PEI has announced that it will expand its mentorship program for recent graduates to include applications from international students, giving them better access to the PEI workforce. Skills PEI contributes up to 50% of wage costs for the first year of employment for postsecondary graduates who are enrolled in the mentorship program. “Hopefully they join the companies, help the company grow, and they will stay here on Prince Edward Island,” said Richard Brown, PEI’s Minister of Workforce and Advanced Learning, “the company grows, the economy grows, it’s good for Prince Edward Island.”
PUBLIC NOTICE
To Whom It May Concern
While we are thankful to the many members we serve and are grateful for their support, it has come to our attention that a few 'Copy Cat' organizations have been hastily created to replicate our success. Such 'similar sounding' organizations have been ostensibly established in India and purport to give the impression that there is a causal, legal or business relationship with our duly organized and recognized, Canadian non-profit association, the CANADA INDIA EDUCATION COUNCIL(CIEC).
The activity of these Indian organizations have no sanction from us and their nefarious activities may be to the detriment of those dealing with them. Please take notice, any communication or contact with you will be through our legally established website, or via correspondence through, with or from, our Chairman Hon. Pierre J. Pettigrew PC; Vice-Chairman Kam Rathee, Esq or our CEO Husain F. Neemuchwala.
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I hope this article brings to you the fire required to conduct what I believe is the biggest trip of your life. You will face challenges, culture shocks and misunderstandings, but you need to look beyond that. You will discover a new culture, make life-long friends, learn a new language, you will see landscapes that you can normally only see in movies. The memories and friendships created will remain long after the completion of your studies. By the way, the picture was taken in Munnar, Kerala in December 2015. Yes, life as an international student is pretty boring as you can see 😉 Give it a try, you will be surprised!