Shift in student interest As 14,000 Indians receive Canadian study permits this year, there is a change in their course choices, too, say Elisa Tortola and Marc Bavin, director and assistant director, respectively, of the CIS universities tour. The increasing interest of Indians choosing Canada as a post-secondary study destination is evidenced by the 15% increase (year-todate) in study permit applications received by the Canadian High Commission in New Delhi, resulting in 14,000 study permits issued this year. A notable change highlighted was the shift in student interest as well. During the recent five-city Council of International Schools (CIS) universities tour of India, students showed an interest in the liberal arts. They asked about programmes in communications, English, journalism, history, political science, international relations, psy chology as well as music, film and design. These programmes represent a change from the traditional areas of interest in business, engineering and the sciences. Perhaps Indians are beginning to realise that the skill set they acquire in a liberal arts degree perfectly aligns with what employers are looking for - the ability to think critically, to write well and to communicate effectively. It may be the flexibility of a Canadian university degree that is also a draw. Students have the choice to pursue more than one area of study, across different disciplines by focusing on two distinct programmes through a double major, major-minor combination or through dual degree offerings. Beyond the quality of education and the resulting portability of the degree anywhere in the world, it is the opportunity to work and study that attracts many. As of June 2014, study permits issued by the Canadian High Commission will include a notation that allows international students to work off campus without obtaining a separate off-campus work permit. This will give students access to the options Canadian universities offer them to participate in co-operative education, internships and experiential learning through work and field placements.
Posted on: Mon, 22 Sep 2014 01:59:48 +0000
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