Over the last two years, a lot! Did you know that, in the first year of the pandemic (2020), the number of international students applying for permits to study at CICan member institutions dropped by more than half (from 165,000 in 2019 to only 77,000 in 2020)?
While that may not be surprising, the Canada brand seems to have recovered. Demand for study permits at Canadian colleges and institutes is now up 40% over pre-pandemic numbers! On top of that, approval rates were also up by 10% in 2021 over 2020 lows.
Did you know that CICan works with partners around the world to strengthen and expand Canada-brand education?
In fact, earlier this year with the support of CanExport, we coordinated a virtual marketing and recruitment mission with trade commissioners in Southeast Asia (Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, and Vietnam)!
- 20 CICan member institutions participated in nearly 700 one-on-one meetings with pre-selected education agents.
- Meetings also involved market briefings with trade commissioners and information sharing with representatives from Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada on study permit processing throughout the region. Resources on these topics are available upon request!
Southeast Asia is an important market for international students to Canada. In 2021, nearly 10,500 students from Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, and Vietnam were approved for study permits to pursue college and institute level education in Canada (more than double pre-pandemic levels)!
- Regional recruitment events help harness this momentum and build awareness for Canada-brand education!
Market diversification for international students is one of three pillars of Canada’s International Education Strategy.
Our events meet ever-increasing demand for Canadian college and institute education around the world. We are currently planning marketing and recruitment activities for Latin America, Francophone Africa, and South Asia later this year. Be sure to get involved when the time comes!
Want to be a part of future international marketing and recruitment events? Contact Kiley Fithen in International Marketing and Recruitment for market briefings and contact lists.