It will continue to be business as usual for UNBC and the College of New Caledonia despite Ottawa’s decision to cap international student permits over the next two years.
On Monday, Federal Immigration Minister Marc Miller noted they are cutting back by 35 per cent as part of a temporary two-year cap on foreign enrollment.
Under the new rules, there will be 364,000 study permits approved this year with next year’s limit to be reassessed at the end of 2024.
UNBC President Dr. Geoff Payne told Vista Radio the announcement will only impact new international undergrad students and not their current pool.
“It’s something we need to pay attention to as the details continue to work out. In terms of looking at it and talking with our government here in BC, I am confident that we will continue to grow international students who are very important for us at UNBC and in the community in general.”
“Having international students on the campus of UNBC is really important to us. That diversity from people all over the world makes the global environment that is coming to UNBC alongside our domestic students important for the diversity as well as continuing to foster the research and the way we think about the globe.”
Shelley Carter-Rose, CNC’s Vice-President of Student Affairs stated the college has been very intentional about planning their international enrollment in recent years.
“We are optimistic that the work we have been doing over the years with good quality programming and good services will be to our advantage and also align with current labour market needs.”
“The government is well aware there are some gaps in our economy in terms of work and because we are the north, we are hopeful the government will be considering all of those criteria.”
Meanwhile, several other Canadian universities are already saying they’ll have to cut courses or reduce the number of Canadian students they can accept, following the federal government’s decision to cap the number of foreign study permits it will issue.
The two-year-long limit comes after complaints that foreign students were having trouble finding housing in the current tight market, and helping to drive up prices.
However, the much higher fees they pay are an important source of revenue for post-secondary institutions.
Immigration minister Marc Miller adds that many unscrupulous private schools aren’t providing their students with a proper education.
International students are estimated to contribute 22-billion dollars a year to the economy.
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