Okanagan College international student enrolment dwindles amid federal changes

[Castanet News]

International students have historically made up a large portion of Okanagan College's student body but change is afoot, raising concerns about how that...

[wrphillips]

This means that there will be or at least should be more University seats open for Canadians. The idea of educating foreigners at the expense of Canadians when it is Canadians who are building the Universities is ludicrous and long overdue for change. I realize that foreign students are a major cash grab for the Universities but educating our own children is far more important.

[corsan]

"On Nov. 1, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada implemented changes to the post-graduation work permit program, that will mean graduates from public colleges will only qualify for a permit if they have studied in fields related to occupations in which the federal government has identified labour shortages."

This approach should have been implemented right from the start. Why would Canada be granting work permits to non-citizens to work in fields that do not have shortages? Canadians can do those jobs, we do not need to import people simply to add strain to our social services.

"That means university graduates with bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degrees are now still eligible for a work permit of up to three years, regardless of their field of study, but college program grads are less likely to fall into that category."

This is absurd. Why are universities receiving preferential treatment in this regard? If there is a need to fill labour shortages in specific fields, then you can justify granting work permits to foreigners. Otherwise, why are they being offered? How about we keep Canadian jobs for Canadian citizens? Time to end the gravy train for higher education, funded on the back of the hardworking taxpayers. The bloat these institutions have is difficult to quantify in relatable terms, but to put it simply, they do an amazing job of hiring five people to do the job of one.

[polelady]

Sounds like "Jenn Goodwin at Okanagan College " is trying to save her job and I bet lots of others that where milking the system but we do no hear of cost reductions those will take care of themselves.....lol

[Dustdee66]

Maybe now they will drop the cost of courses and admission so more of our own students can get in. Our Universities and Colleges are geared towards international students paying high tuition fees and it strikes hard on those living here. Some places in the US give free college to residents.

[sherwoody]

It's estimated that up tp 1.6 million "student visas" have been issued in the last few years, mostly attending puppy mill 1 year useless certificate programs from small for private strip mall schools, working full time instead and many many claimed refugee status. Which allows them to stay and receive benefits until their case is reviewed..often 4-6 years wait times This has been a major drain on our social services, food banks and healthcare. Universities knew this years ago, most of their international student departments are separate corporate entities. It's always been about a pay to play for immigration. This isn't new. I can't blame the students for using the loop hole, this has been intentionally done by the government to boost gdp and employment stats. Mass migration, like we're about to see the flood of illegals from the US border into Ontario and Quebec is planned. The next few years are going to be....interesting.

[sherwoody]

Sounds like "Jenn Goodwin at Okanagan College " is trying to save her job and I bet lots of others that where milking the system but we do no hear of cost reductions those will take care of themselves.....lol

Finally all this woke nonsense pushed by the universities is coming back to bite them, it was only a matter of time before that facade came crashing down. "diversity" was just a way to group people and make money off of them

[the truth]

Sounds like "Jenn Goodwin at Okanagan College " is trying to save her job and I bet lots of others that where milking the system but we do no hear of cost reductions those will take care of themselves.....lol

Finally all this woke nonsense pushed by the universities is coming back to bite them, it was only a matter of time before that facade came crashing down. "diversity" was just a way to group people and make money off of them

x2

[kellerkahn]

I guess these students are listening to The Dark Side of the Moon by Pink Floyd.

[angM]

Maybe now my fellow Canadian classmates and I will be able to get a spot in required courses. It has happened to me now 2 out of the 4 years I have attended UBCO that by the time I am allowed to register for my required courses, all the spots have already been prioritized to international and new students. Yet, the school still charges me full "student fees" for a year where I am only able to attend one class... At this point my degree that was supposed to be four years is now 6, and counting.

[Tack]

Maybe now they will drop the cost of courses and admission so more of our own students can get in. Our Universities and Colleges are geared towards international students paying high tuition fees and it strikes hard on those living here. Some places in the US give free college to residents.

OC is pretty reasonable for fees. It may be the opposite that fees increase to fill in some lost revenue from international students. That's not saying this change isn't necessary, but I wouldn't count on this lowering fees for Canadians.

[Mrmarvingardens]

Quick, someone hand me a crying towel.
Outrageous enrollments of foreign students; absurd fees, thousands of dollars above what Canadian students are charged. It's is all about reveune, not education.
Like Ok College, Langara is shedding tears about layoffs as a result.
Langara admits more than 30 per cent of their students are foreign enrolled.
The B.C. government has followed the feds with a foreign limit of 30 percent of total student enrollemnt.
Our colleges and universities have to be more creative by offering curriculums that reflect the needs of Canada.
Medicine, technology and the like, rather than be tied to the bank accounts of foreign students.

[Mtn Biker]

Maybe now my fellow Canadian classmates and I will be able to get a spot in required courses. It has happened to me now 2 out of the 4 years I have attended UBCO that by the time I am allowed to register for my required courses, all the spots have already been prioritized to international and new students. Yet, the school still charges me full "student fees" for a year where I am only able to attend one class... At this point my degree that was supposed to be four years is now 6, and counting.

The sad truth is the post secondary education in Canada and the US is a "business" first and foremost. The cost of post secondary education has doubled in the last 2 decades, while the quality of education has continually declined. Education should be free in Canada, or at least affordable. Citizens should have first right and access to courses and programs before any other student. However, international students pay significantly more for the same program, so if you ran this business who would you cater to?

[flifish1]

well thats great . over build and charge unreal tuitions that real canadians cant afford and now you get no money . run you stupid people the sky is falling and its your fault .. how ill these fancy universities pay the bills now ,you guessed it another load to bear for young canadians

[flifish1]

and now the special groups demanding college and university's divest themselves of of any sponsorship from war on climate will make it more interesting ,and they bring that on themselves also