OIA Attends the National Dialogue on International Students

The past few months have been very challenging for the international education sector in Canada.
The Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE) hosted the National Dialogue on International Students from May 21-22, 2024. Dr. Amira El Masri, Director of the Office of International Affairs, represented McMaster in this event which convened over 200 senior leaders, including representatives from 9 provincial ministries, IRCC, GAC, ESDC, Infrastructure Canada, post-secondary institutions, NGOs, scholars, and practitioners to discuss the future of Canada’s international education sector and ways to enhance support for international students.

Attendees reflected on the challenges facing the sector and working collectively toward charting a better path forward. During the event, policy makers, (higher) education institutions leaders, students, and community partners discussed issues like student housing, labour market outcomes, immigration policies, mental health, ethical student recruitment practices, community engagement, and the importance of better data sharing for more informed decision making. During the event, Immigration Minister Mark Miller shared insights into his vision for the future of international student and immigration policies, with a specific focus on talent attraction and retention, the economic impact of international students, and post-graduation work in fields where there is high labour market demand. Minister Miller discussed recent IRCC measures including the implementation of the LOA verification protocols, the increased financial requirements for international students, changes to the off-campus work policy and the Recognized Institutions Framework.

As an outcome of this event, a summary report of the key recommendations that emerged from the discussions will be produced and shared with relevant federal and provincial governments and other key stakeholders.

Read the National Dialogue on International Students: Charting a Path Forward for a Sustainable and
Responsible International Education Sector Discussion Paper here.

Read more about CBIE’s National Dialogue on International Students: A Call to Action here.