Canada prides itself as a safe, secure country with a vibrant mosaic of cultures that have equal opportunities to live, work and study. United Nations consistently ranks Canada as one of the best places in the world to live.

As an international student in Canada, you’ll enjoy all of the same liberties which protect Canadians – respect for human rights, equality, and a stable and peaceful society. Apart from this, Canada’s high academic standards and rigorous quality controls mean that you’ll be earning a high-quality education that will open doors for your future enabling to attain your career goals. A Canadian degree, diploma or certificate is globally recognized and will help you whether you wish to stay on in Canada, return to the U.A.E or go back to your home country. 

Why is Canada one of the most attractive options?

Did you know that some international students with Canadian credentials and work experience may apply for permanent residency without having to leave Canada? Those of you, who are interested in learning more about this option, please visit the Citizen and Immigration Canada website. Canada is accepting more and more international students, and recent data from Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) shows that more of those international students are deciding to immigrate.

The highest numbers come from China and India. In 2012, 104,777 new study permit holders entered Canada, up from 79,264 in 2008 – for a 32% increase over those four years. The total number of international students in Canada has also risen, from 177,657 in 2008 to 265,377 in 2012, for a 50% increase over the same period. Over the next four weeks, I shall give you all the information needed to navigate the Canadian admissions process as we recognize that Canada is a sought after destination for students from the region. 

A haven of opportunities for international students

The Province of Ontario accepts the most international students (45,401 out of the 104,777 new arrivals in 2012), followed by British Columbia (26,639) and then the French-speaking province of Quebec (16,770). Students from around the world enrich the educational experience of Canadian students by bringing global perspectives, new cultures and languages to their campuses. The international students also benefit from their intercultural exchange, the cutting edge technology and research labs, opportunities for cooperative education and internships, at affordable costs. According to a July 2012 federal government report, international students pursuing their education in Canada generate 81,000 jobs, nearly $8-billion in spending and more than $445 million in government revenue.

The Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada represents 97 public and private not-for-profit universities and university degree-level colleges. It has represented the interests of Canadian universities since 1911. (www.aucc.ca). More than 10,000 Bachelors, Masters, Doctoral and career focused professional qualifications are on offer across Canada.

Apart from this, there are over 150 members of the Assn. Of Canadian Community Colleges ( www.accc.ca). These are public institutions offering credentials sanctioned by provincial and the territorial government. Their programs vary in length from a few months to four years. The courses are mostly practical and offer work placements. Historically, these institutions offered diplomas and certificates, not degrees. However, these days, some of them award degrees as well. 

Curriculum in step with industry needs

Colleges work very closely with business and industry to ensure that their programmes are up to date, relevant to the changing workplace and to the needs of employers. It is a very hands-on approach and most beneficial for mature students who aspire to gain a Canadian citizenship. Canadian college programmes offer diverse options in the technical and professional fields including: business, agriculture and agri-food, health, social services, broadcasting and journalism, hospitality management, design, technology, sciences, information technology, engineering, environment, languages, and arts.

According the official Study in Canada website, 93% of employers are satisfied with college graduates in Canada. Also, 90% of college graduates, on average, obtain employment within 6 months of graduating.

Students from the U.A.E tend to veer towards Toronto for their higher education aspirations because they have heard of this province from friends or families who have settled there. Canada is a huge country and there are a variety of provinces to choose from. I always encourage students to explore all options before narrowing down their choices. Canadian universities prepare graduates with the ability to think critically, to be adaptive to emerging technologies, to become leaders in professional fields and to seek solutions in research. 

Live your dream, be a trail blazer

Whether you want to become a computer programmer, digital media expert, film maker, economist, artist, lawyer or the world’s leading nanotechnologist, Canada’s university system will provide you with the options that will help you actualize your aspirations.

You can pursue a programme in an all girls’ institution, to larger research-intensive universities from Bachelor’s degrees to post doctoral research - the choice is yours. I have had students who began their student life in colleges and moved to top notch universities as they became more confident about their abilities. Some families think colleges are inferior to Universities. This is a mistaken notion. Students are unique and have varying needs. We need to support them in their quest for the right programme. 

University research makes its mark in Canada and around the world

Did you know that Canadian universities have been incubators for innovation such as the BlackBerry phone, flat-screen technology, SMART boards, and IMAX film? Highly innovative research takes place in the fields of health, nanotechnology, biotechnology, high-performance computing, environmental technologies, and renewable fuels. More than one third of Canada’s research is conducted at Canadian universities – one of the highest rates of academic research among OECD and G8 countries.

Next week, I shall give you the low down on the actual application process, the pre requisites for admission and the next steps in actualizing your Canadian Education aspirations. Until then, here are a few useful websites for you to begin your research.

 

(The writer is founder and director of Counselling Point Training and Development, a KHDA-approved student career counselling centre in Dubai).