Future Forward Webinar
Earlier this month, Jo Johnson, Chairman of ApplyBoard, moderated a thought-provoking roundtable discussion with Canadian higher education leaders. Titled, “Future Forward: Canadian Higher Education Adapts to the COVID-19 Pandemic,” this webinar explored the future of Canadian higher education as it adapts to the challenges brought forth by COVID-19.
Panellists included:
- Alex Usher, President of Higher Education Strategy Associates
- Denise Amyot, President of Colleges & Institutes Canada
- Paul Davidson, President of Universities Canada
The presenters discussed the positive steps taken by the Government of Canada and higher education institutions and associations to foster international student success. They acknowledged that, while there are many unknowns about how the study-format and the learning experience may evolve, Canada is committed to student success.
Amongst the steps taken within the education sector, most institutions have created a contingency plan for online learning in September 2020. Students are also being given the option to choose between starting online or deferring to a later semester.
The government has also released a 9-billion dollar student aid package to support domestic and international students already in Canada. This package includes additional student grants for fall tuition and financial support to students unable to find work due to the pandemic’s economic challenges.
The Government of Canada has also enacted changes to its Post-Graduate Work Permit Program (PGWPP) eligibility. These changes ensure that the international students, who are unable to travel to Canada due to COVID-19 related travel restrictions, will not be negatively impacted. Students who begin their classes online in September will not have time deducted from the length of a future PGWPP for studies completed outside of Canada until December 31, 2020.
Although there is still significant uncertainty about the future for educational institutions and international students, Canada is demonstrating a progressive and forward-facing approach to higher learning amidst the global pandemic.
Watch the Recording
To learn more about how Canada is adapting to COVID-19, the challenges facing students and higher education institutions, the questions that still need answers, and Canada’s path-forward, watch our webinar recording.
