CANADA MANITOBA IS HOME TO 7243 INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS BRINGING $ 200 MILLION ANNUALLY TO ECONOMY AND HOPE TO DOUBLE THE NUMBERS BY 2020 WITH BILLION DOLLARS BOOST OVER NEXT FIVE YEARS International education brings in more than $200 million annually to the Manitoba economy. It could be more. A lot more. By keeping pace with the federal governments goal to double the number of international students by 2020, Manitoba could receive a billion-dollar-plus economic boost over the next five years. In 2012 (the latest year for reported statistics), Manitoba received 7,243 of the 265,400 international students in Canada. This 2.7 per cent share is significantly below our 3.6 per cent share of the Canadian population. By locking in on targets set in the federal governments international education strategy and reaching our proportionate share by 2020, the economic impact would increase from the current $230 million to $606 million annually. The cumulative difference between maintaining the status quo and keeping pace is $1.5 billion. But for this to happen, we need to take collective action. Canadas high-quality reputation for education and as a safe, desirable place to live and study make it a destination of choice for many international students. Manitoba benefits from this well-earned reputation, but at the same time it competes with other provinces for students who opt for Canada. British Columbia and Ontario will always receive the lions share of students in the country, but there is no reason Manitoba shouldnt be able to increase current numbers. Nova Scotia, for example, with only 2.8 per cent of the population, receives 3.6 per cent of international student enrolments. A stronger commitment needs to be made. Recognizing international education as an important industry in the province is an important step. And that means investment. We have a great product and great institutions; the only thing missing is the commitment to growth. Educational institutions supporting international education and all levels of government need to act together. Winnipeg recently elected a new mayor on a progressive platform. The Australian cities of Brisbane and Adelaide have civic departments dedicated to aggressively promoting their cities as education destinations. Why cant we do the same? Developing relationships with globally minded institutions across the private and public sectors should be a priority. Working hand in hand with the tourism industry to promote Manitoba as a destination of choice would be of immense benefit to both sectors.
Posted on: Sun, 23 Nov 2014 09:43:05 +0000
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