New global mobility program invests in students, skills

August 22, 2019
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Five students walk down a hallway on campus together.

OTTAWA – A new global mobility program will provide funding for thousands of university undergraduate and college students to gain in-demand international skills and experience during their studies. Announced today as part of the Government of Canada’s new International Education Strategy, the five-year pilot program will be jointly administered by Universities Canada and Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan).

The Honourable Jim Carr, Minister of International Trade Diversification, shared details of the new $147.9 million International Education Strategy this morning in a speech at the University of Alberta.

Canada’s universities welcome this transformative investment in Canada’s future, which recognizes the important contribution that international education makes to Canadian economic prosperity. Canadians need to be globally fluent and connected, especially in emerging economies, to succeed in a rapidly changing labour market and to drive new trade opportunities. The Outbound Student Mobility Pilot is an important step towards achieving Canada’s trade diversification goals and strengthening international networks.

Canadian universities also welcome the strategy’s focus on promoting Canada as a leading study destination, diversifying source countries for international students and streamlining immigration and visa processes.

Currently, only 11 percent of Canadian university students take part in international study over the course of their degree, compared to international peers such as France, Germany, Australia and the United States, where students go abroad at rates of 33 percent, 29 percent, 19 percent and 16 percent respectively.

In consultation with Employment and Social Development Canada, Universities Canada will collaborate closely with CICan and other stakeholders over the coming months to co-design the Outbound Student Mobility Pilot. The program will launch in 2020.

Quotes

“Study abroad changes lives. The new Outbound Student Mobility Pilot is significant news for young Canadians, and for Canada. Canada’s universities look forward to working with our partners in government and the higher education sector to enable more students, from all backgrounds, to participate in global mobility experiences.”
– Paul Davidson, president, Universities Canada

About Universities Canada
Universities Canada is the voice of Canada’s universities at home and abroad, advancing higher education, research and innovation for the benefit of all Canadians.

Media contact:

Lisa Wallace
Assistant Director, Communications
Universities Canada
[email protected]

Tagged:  Global connections, Study abroad

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