It Is Not Too Late To Shift Gears to A More Visionary International Education Strategy for Canada
The article discusses the need for a visionary approach in developing Canada's third International Education Strategy (IES), set to follow the current strategy expiring in March 2024. It emphasizes shifting the focus from recruiting international students based on labor market priorities to a more holistic approach that includes attracting top students and scholars through funded and self-funded models. Global Affairs Canada (GAC), tasked with leading this development, faces challenges due to the decentralized nature of education policy in Canada and the involvement of various federal departments and diverse policy actors. The article suggests the new strategy should integrate international education with Canada’s Research and Innovation Agendas, include more competitive scholarship models, and proactively facilitate global talent recruitment.
The article also highlights the need for a more purposeful inclusion of Indigenous perspectives in international education, aligning with Canada's commitment to Truth and Reconciliation. It calls for a shift in focus towards quality, equity, and inclusion, attracting competitive students and scholars and improving the experiences of international students in Canada.
Furthermore, it recommends broadening the scope of assessment metrics for the IES beyond economic values to include global research collaborations, the global impact of Canadian educational programs, and diverse community engagements. The article concludes by urging GAC to recognize and address the challenges in the current policy approach and to develop a more aligned and visionary strategy.
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