AUCC welcomes formation of panel for Canada’s International Education Strategy

OTTAWA – The Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada welcomes the naming of the federal government’s expert advisory panel on international education, chaired by Amit Chakma, president and vice-chancellor of the University of Western Ontario.

“In today’s interconnected world, we know that investments in international education lead to ongoing economic, social and cultural benefits,” says Paul Davidson, president of AUCC. “A coordinated strategy to attract talented students and researchers to Canada, and to promote Canadian expertise and education services abroad, will contribute to our nation’s prosperity.”

The panel will make recommendations on how to develop and implement an international education strategy, for which $10 million over two years was allocated in the 2011 federal budget. The Association also welcomed the strong role to be played on the panel by other university leaders and international education experts from AUCC member institutions, including Colin Dodds, president of Saint Mary’s University, who is a member of AUCC’s Board of Directors.

Canadian universities have a long history of international engagement and believe that Canadian students deserve a globally engaged, research-enriched learning experiences in a culture of innovation. “As a growing destination for international students, Canadian universities offer internationally recognized programming at the undergraduate, master’s, PhD and post-doctoral levels in a safe and welcoming environment,” says Andrée Chenard, AUCC’s government relations officer, who was commenting on the announcement at the China Education Expo in Beijing.

“The time is right for Canada to build new, effective and innovative higher research and learning partnerships with rapidly emerging economic powers, including Brazil, India and China,” says Mr. Davidson. “Canada’s universities are ready to play a leading role in making this happen.”

Over the coming months, AUCC looks forward to working with the advisory panel to enhance global connections for Canadian students, researchers and institutions.

AUCC is a committed member of the Canadian Consortium for International Education Marketing, whose purpose is to bring together the education sector for a cohesive pan-Canadian approach to international education marketing. Other members of the consortium are the Canadian Bureau for International Education, Languages Canada, the Association of Canadian Community Colleges and the Canadian Association of Public Schools – International.

AUCC is the voice of Canada’s universities. It represents 95 Canadian public and private, not-for-profit universities and university-degree level colleges.

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For more information:

Mélanie Béchard
Communications Officer
Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada
613-563-3961 ext. 306
mbechard@aucc.ca