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Colleges and Universities in Manitoba Will Not Require COVID-19 Vaccinations

Source: CBC News

With a number of Ontario universities deciding to make COVID-19 vaccines a requirement for students planning to live on residence next semester, things are developing differently in the province to the west. Some universities and colleges in Manitoba are stating that vaccinations will not be mandatory for students or faculty returning to campus.

The institutions listed below say that while those coming to campus in the Fall are encouraged to get the necessary doses of their vaccine, they do not believe forcing people to do so is within their power.

  • Assiniboine Community College
  • Brandon University
  • Red River College
  • University College of the North

While reaction to this news has been mixed, other Canadian colleges and universities are taking a similar approach and not making vaccinations a requirement:

As regulations continue to take shape across different parts of Canada, we at Canada Campus Visits will continue to keep you updated on what both international and domestic students need to know before returning to in-person learning later this year.

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Manitoba to Attract International Students to Fill Skills Gap

Source: The PIE News

In a bid to prepare for future changes in the labour market, the Canadian province of Manitoba recently published their Skills, Talent and Knowledge strategy for post-secondary institutions. The government hopes to make sure that education and training programs suit the needs of industry while students in the province are able to work there after graduation.

The provincial government hopes to improve the reputation of Manitoba as a top-tier study abroad destination in Canada as well as among the prairie provinces. It is currently the fifth most popular Canadian province for overseas education. While more than 21,000 international students were at Manitoba institutions as of 2017, both Saskatchewan and Alberta recently put forth plans to increase their own numbers.

The federal government hopes that foreign learners discover these provinces so different Canadian communities can develop and benefit from all the things that students traveling from abroad have to offer. Current statistics show that students from other countries are most attracted to major Canadian cities like Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal. A rise in numbers in other parts of the country would offer more balanced population growth and a solution to potential talent shortages in the years to come.
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International Education Week – Saskatchewan Plans to Attract More International Students

Saskatchewan to strengthen the province as a destination for international students and researchers post pandemic

In an initiative to attract more international students, the province of Saskatchewan is pleased to observe International Education Week from November 16-20, 2020.

“International education is an important driver for Saskatchewan’s economic and cultural growth,” Advanced Education Minister Gene Makowsky said. “By connecting Saskatchewan and Canada to other parts of the world, students have the unique opportunity to develop new skills and learn to think globally to position the province for the future.”

Like almost all other provinces in Canada this year has been challenging for universities and in general the education sector. Prior to COVID-19 pandemic, international students contributed more than $222 million each year to Saskatchewan’s economy. While constrained in these unprecedented times, the province is taking steps to be a market of choice post-pandemic.

Saskatchewan recognises that strengthening the province as a destination for international students and researchers through a strategy is going to be a key component of the province’s growth plan. The province will be focusing on three goals:

  • Increasing the number of international students in Saskatchewan
  • Increasing the number of Saskatchewan students studying abroad
  • Increasing the number and value of international research partnerships

The University of Saskatchewan and the University of Regina are known for excellence in research. In 2018-19, $19 million was provided to Saskatchewan researchers to fund more than 4,100 internationally co-authored published papers. University faculty across the province engage in global research and contribute to a vast array of topics that impact the world.

International Education Week is celebrated in more than 100 countries to raise awareness and understanding of the benefits of international education. To learn more about International Education Week, please visit: http://cbie.ca/upcoming-events/international-education-week

Source: https://www.yorktonthisweek.com/regional-news/interational-education-week-in-sask-1.24239923

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Is Alberta the New Hot Canadian Province for International Students?

Alberta has two new PNPs for international student graduates who want to start a business in the province

The higher education system in Alberta is globally recognized for outstanding universities, colleges, technical institutes and state-of-the-art research facilities. The University of Alberta alone is home to a friendly community of over 7,700 international students. In fact, University of Alberta’s Maple Leaf scholarships are specifically offered to international students in Canada and recognize outstanding academic achievement. Read more about University of Alberta here.

With Alberta’s new PNPs, international students have even more reason to choose this munificent Canadian province. The Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP) has announced two new immigration pathways to encourage international graduates to open businesses in Alberta.

The International Graduate Entrepreneur Immigration Stream started on October 26. This new Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) is for recent international student graduates from Alberta post-secondaries. The new immigration stream operates on an Expression of Interest system, which is now open to submissions. Candidates who submit an Expression of Interest will be assessed by the AINP and given points. The highest-ranking candidates will receive an invitation to submit a Business Application. Only candidates who receive the invitation, or Request, to apply will be able to access the AINP portal and start the process. However, receiving a Request is not a guarantee that applicants will get Canadian permanent residence.

Alberta will also launch the Foreign Graduate Start-up Visa Stream in January 2021. This stream is for international student graduates from top U.S. universities and colleges, who want to start a business and settle in Alberta communities. More details on this stream will be available later this year.

Eligibility criteria for the International Graduate Entrepreneur Immigration Stream

International student graduates from all Alberta university and colleges must meet the following eligibility criteria in order to be considered for the International Graduate Entrepreneur Immigration Stream.

  • They must be immigrating to Alberta to establish a new business or buy an existing business, and have at least 34 per cent ownership of the company. The proposed business type must not be on Alberta’s list of ineligible businesses.
  • Candidates need at least six months of full-time work experience, which can be a combination of actively managing or owning the business, according to the AINP webpage. This could also include an equivalent amount of experience with a business incubator, business accelerator, or entrepreneurship program courses.

Eligible candidates also need a minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) of at least seven in all proficiencies in either English or French.

There are also a number of factors that increase candidates’ chances of receiving a Request. The business should have an economic benefit to Alberta through job creation, investment, and developed intellectual property among others. Candidates ages 21 to 49 years old also have an advantage. If the candidate or their spouse or common law partner have immediate family living full-time in Alberta, it will also increase their chances. Spouses or common-law partners may contribute to a candidate’s application if they have at least one year of full-time work experience in Alberta, or at least two years of full-time study at an Albertan post-secondary. If they don’t have Alberta experience, it will also help their application if they have a CLB of at least five in English or French in all language abilities.

Source: CIC News