Universities want collaboration on international student policies

The Canadian government risks causing long-term damage to the sector if it fails to collaborate with universities on international student policy going forwards, experts have warned.

Ottawa has announced a number of policies this year that have sought to reduce student immigration, including slashing the number of study visas, introducing higher wealth requirements and bringing in new working regulations.

The Trudeau administration has said the steps are necessary to ease pressure on housing and improve quality, and the higher education sector appears to agree.

A new survey by IDP Education found that just 93 per cent of international education professionals said it was necessary or slightly necessary for the federal government to take action in this area.

However, more than two-thirds (68 per cent) disapproved of the policies that have been implemented, with only a quarter approving.

And 87 per cent of the 212 respondents, which included executive leadership, management and professional staff, said the policies negatively affected their institutions’ international programmes and operations.

Just 7 per cent of respondents to the IDP study, which was developed in consultation with a number of leading Canadian sector organisations, said there had been positive effects.

Gabriel Miller, president of Universities Canada, has previously told Times Higher Education that the cap would mean “big financial challenges in the near term” and would damage the country’s ability to compete for talent in the long term.

The report showed that most respondents rated the government’s engagement with international education stakeholders as poor (27 per cent) or very poor (54 per cent) and would have liked more collaboration while policies were being drafted.

Just 3 per cent of those questioned, the majority of which work at universities or colleges, rated the government’s engagement with the sector as good or very good.

Simon Emmett, chief partner officer of IDP Education, said the results showed an urgent need for the Canadian government and sector stakeholders to work together to shape policies.

“Canadian institutions clearly recognise policy changes are necessary to improve quality standards in international education, but what is needed now is clarity from the government so institutions can focus on providing the best student experience,” he added.

“Collaboration between government and institutions is essential to avoid long-term damage to the sector.”

Analysis from education experts has warned that the cap might have “contributed to chilling demand” so much that the government’s projections for this year will not be met.

Ajay Patel, president of Vancouver Community College and an IDP strategic advisory board member, said the survey had uncovered some practical ways forward for the sector.

“The IDP survey reaffirms what we already know – that there is an opportunity to rewrite the narrative on international students by telling their inspiring stories to the people of Canada,” said Mr Patel.

“As well as improving our sector’s social licence, the study highlights the critical importance of student support. There is more we can do to ensure international students have a healthy and positive experience in Canada.”

patrick.jack@timeshighereducation.com