Home » News » AUCC lobbying feds for cash to attract international students

AUCC lobbying feds for cash to attract international students

International students searching for Canadian degrees may soon have more promotional goodies to choose from.

“Canada needs to take its marketing to another level,” Pari Johnston, director of international relations at the Association of Universities and Colleges Canada, said.

According to Johnston, AUCC is asking the federal government for $20 million per year for the next five years to promote Canada as an education destination. She mentioned in 2007, $2 million had been dedicated to the Educational Brand for Canada.

“The [Edu-Canada] report estimated that all payments made by international students while they study here […] resulted in $6.5 billion a year [and went to] the Canadian economy,” Me’shel Gulliver-Bélanger, spokesperson for the Ministry of International Trade, said. She added this has surpassed exports of lumber and coal from the country.

“It’s an important contributor, but it’s not the only one,” Johnston said about the campaign requesting for more funds. She explained creating multicultural schools was one reason for attracting international students. Johnston cited building long-term relationships internationally and networking between countries are big factors.

According to Gulliver-Bélanger, the Educational Brand for Canada has been used at several American conferences.

However, Johnston explained tactics to attract international students differ from country to country.

“The tactics vary. It depends on the market,” Johnston pointed out.

According to Johnston, AUCC has used information fairs, websites, word of mouth and alumni to attract students to Canada.

“[Alumni] are very keen to have their students in Canada given their own experience,” Johnston said.

Western’s tactics to attract international students are similar to that of the AUCC.

Marilyn Nash, team leader of undergraduate recruitment at Western, explained students are targeted through university fairs, individual school visits, electronic chat and newsletters.

“University fairs are pretty global,” Chris Wong, a second-year media, information and technoculture student, said. Having studied at a high school in Hong Kong, he added there were also local offices for schools and the Internet was available for further information.

“[Western] is highly visible in select major centres,” Nash said. She added this is strengthened by the presence of international campuses and partnerships with other programs to promote Canada as an education destination.

Wong admitted he felt a lot of pressure from his high school to study abroad.

“The international schools have a lot of suggestions,” he explained.

According to Wong, finding information on schools was also fairly easy.

“Essential information is provided on academic requirements, residence, the City of London and campus life,” Nash said.

Follow the Gazette on Facebook and Twitter.