Last Updated On 30 January 2024, 9:58 AM EST (Toronto Time)
On January 29, 2024, the Canadian province of B.C. announced multiple new measures to improve the experience of international students and set them up for success.
The province is taking these steps to eradicate exploitative practices and improve postsecondary education quality by raising quality standards and implementing new safeguards for foreign students in the province.
This announcement came after Immigration Minister Marc Miller imposed a limit on international students on January 22 in an attempt to reduce the number of new international students coming to Canada. Click here for full announcement.
On January 28, Ontario also announced similar steps to improve the experience of international students in Canada. Click here for full details on the announcement by Ontario.
The province’s new initiatives will raise standards and increase responsibility for educational institutions in BC.
These measures will help guarantee that the institutions provide a high-quality education and the robust support that students require to study and establish a good, successful life in BC.
These new regulations will help prevent universities from taking advantage of international students, as well as eliminate private institutions’ ability to host international students if they do not meet provincial quality education standards.
New B.C. Measures For International Students
Temporary ban on expansion of institutions offering foreign education
The province has put in place a two-year ban on new education quality assurance certifications, which will last until February 2026.
Until the prohibition is lifted, new institutions will be unable to recruit overseas students through the government-designated learning institutions list.
Current institutions may renew their designations during this time.
Enhanced compliance and enforcement
The province will conduct more frequent inspections of private postsecondary institutions to verify that new and improved quality standards are met and that students receive enough support.
New rules for public postsecondary schools will establish standards for maximum international student enrollment, tuition transparency, and student support.
Public institutions will also create and implement international education strategic plans to guide their efforts, monitor enrollment levels within the objective, and organize support services to satisfy students’ needs.
Ensure that students obtain a high-quality education, private degree programs must meet stricter approval requirements.
Higher assessment requirements for degree quality, established labour market needs for graduates, enough resources, and student support are all part of the standards.
Higher standards for private degree programs
Improved organizational standards necessitate institutional capability in terms of enrollment planning, governance and administration, facilities, faculty and staff, diversity and anti-racism regulations, and more student assistance like housing.
Changes to the criteria governing private degree-granting institutions include a more rigorous examination procedure for new degree proposals at current schools and tougher standards for new degree programs, including whether the new program is required in the province.
New language requirements for private institutions
The province is establishing minimal language criteria for private training institutes to ensure that new international students are better equipped for their educational and professional journeys in BC.
The policy reforms to improve regulation of private training institutions include strengthened and published compliance and enforcement actions, minimum language requirements, and higher distance delivery criteria.
Tuition transparency
Public postsecondary schools will be forced to publicize tuition amounts for students throughout their studies.
This guarantees that incoming students understand the full expense of their education before beginning their degree.
Selina Robinson, Minister of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills said, “International students come here for a good education, but too many are being exploited or taken advantage of.”
She further said, “That’s why we’re introducing more stringent requirements for institutions and robust safeguards to protect international students against bad actors, provide them with a better path to success, and make sure B.C. continues to attract the talented students we need to fill significant gaps in the labour market and drive our economy forward.”
Loading…
Something went wrong. Please refresh the page and/or try again.
You may also like: 9 Transport Canada Jobs Hiring Now For Various Location