Resource Topics International

March 4, 2022

CICan’s statement on Ukraine

Ottawa, March 4, 2022 – CICan president and CEO Denise Amyot issued the following statement on the ongoing invasion of Ukraine: As new details emerge on Canada’s commitment to introduce new immigration streams for Ukrainians who want to come to Canada, either temporarily or permanently, I take this opportunity to amplify the messages of solidarity and support of our 140 members across Canada. We are deeply troubled by the continued violent invasion of Ukraine by Russia. We stand with the people of Ukraine, and all non-Ukrainians also suffering in the country. We also acknowledge the many Russian citizens in Canada,... Read more

February 11, 2022

Supporting immigrants and international students key to Canada’s economic future

This op-ed was originally published by Canadian Immigrant on February 10, 2022. Canada needs more immigrants. After nearly two years of pandemic completely upending the labour market, it has become clear that we need to draw in more international talent. With this comes a responsibility to support newcomers throughout their integration - a challenge our communities are well equipped to overcome thanks to Canada’s network of colleges, CEGEPs, institutes and polytechnics. Canada is facing a demographic cliff: an aging population coupled with low birthrate that will critically impact our available workforce. Forty years ago, there were seven workers to... Read more

February 7, 2022

CICan marks International Development Week

Ottawa, February 7, 2022 – CICan president and CEO Denise Amyot issued the following statement to mark International Development Week: "This 32nd International Development Week (IDW), shines a spotlight on the important contributions that Canadians are making around the world. This year’s theme #GoForTheGoals resonates strongly with us as we continue to work toward the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in partnership with our members and partners.” “In fact, each one of CICan’s programs is tied to the SDGs to ensure that our actions contribute to positive change for people, communities, and the planet. This is especially true for... Read more

November 30, 2021

International experience wanted: studies abroad are good for Canada

This joint op-ed with Universities Canada was initially published in the Ottawa Citizen on November 27, 2021. A peculiarity of staying close to home in these pandemic times is that it’s made the world seem smaller. Alone on our screens we’ve seen how connected we are as inhabitants of this planet. We’ve felt the evidence in our own neighbourhoods of global warming and the effects of wildfires thousands of kilometres away. We’ve paid more for food and joined wait lists for electronics triggered by international supply chain issues. And, of course, we’ve watched infection spread from country to country,... Read more

November 3, 2021

National mobility program makes international learning experiences more accessible to Canadian post-secondary students.

OTTAWA — Thousands of Canadian post-secondary students will soon have access to life-changing international study and work opportunities through the new Global Skills Opportunity program. Officially launched today, this national outbound student mobility program is expected to enable more than 16,000 Canadian college and undergraduate-level university students from across the country acquire the global skills employers want and the Canadian economy needs. The $95 million Global Skills Opportunity program is a key component of the Government of Canada’s International Education Strategy and is funded by Employment and Social Development Canada. Administered jointly by Colleges and Institutes Canada and Universities Canada, the... Read more

September 23, 2021

Working towards the SDGs for a better future

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals [“SDGs”] are the primary expression of the global community’s commitment to environmental and social sustainability. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015, provides a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet. At its heart are the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are an urgent call for action by all countries - developed and developing - in a global partnership. They recognize that ending poverty and other deprivations must go hand-in-hand with strategies that improve health and education, reduce inequality, and spur... Read more

September 9, 2021

Colleges and Institutes Canada shares its expertise on competency-based education and training

Ottawa, September 9, 2021 – Competency-based education and training is at the heart of the Canadian system of colleges and institutes, and one of its greatest strengths. Over the last 40-years, these institutions have refined the Competency Based Approach (CBA), and many are now successfully applying it around the world. To help share that expertise, Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan) is launching a comprehensive framework for implementing an approach to support competency-based education and training. This extensive guide offers valuable lessons from Canadian colleges and institutes, while sharing best-practices, which will be especially useful for international counterparts looking to use... Read more

May 21, 2021

CICan joins the Groningen Declaration Network

May 21, 2021 – Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan) is pleased to join the Groningen Declaration Network (GDN) in its efforts to lead and inform the global adoption of strategies that give learners greater control over their educational data, while promoting a secure, flexible and accessible data ecosystem. The association officially joined the list of signatories during its recent annual conference. The GDN, founded in 2012 in the Netherlands, is an international, non-profit and voluntary network and foundation that supports academic and professional digital credential mobility so that citizens worldwide are able to consult and share their authentic educational data... Read more

May 13, 2020

Leveraging international education for a globally connected and prosperous Canada

This joint op-ed with Universities Canada was originally published in iPolitics on May 11, 2020. Canadians understand the importance of welcoming individuals from all around the world to our country. Canada is a desirable destination for trade, travel, study and immigration. We know that our prosperity and international competitiveness rely on being open to people and opportunity from every corner of the world. The COVID-19 pandemic is a global crisis without modern equivalent. The actions Canada takes post-emergency can set the foundation for a sustainable growth and recovery with global opportunity in mind. We believe that Canada’s colleges and... Read more

February 21, 2020

Innovative Collaborations: Working together to promote education and strengthen the study permit application process

In June 2018, Immigration Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) launched the Study Direct Stream (SDS) in China, India, Vietnam and the Philippines. To support the growth in study permit applications, students from those countries can benefit from faster processing times by demonstrating upfront that they have the financial resources and language skills to succeed academically in Canada. A significant development for Canada’s international education industry, many have wondered, how was SDS developed and why those four countries?