REGINA — The benefits of cultural and academic exchange programs are highlighted during International Education Week Nov, 18 to 22.
This week is recognized annually by governments, schools and organizations in over 100 countries around the world.
International students benefit Saskatchewan’s post-secondary institutions by bringing global knowledge and cultural diversity to classrooms and filling seats in programs where there are not enough domestic students enrolled, the Ministry of Advanced Education states in a press release.
Their tuition fees also help support programming and research in the province, the ministry says.
In 2023-24, Saskatchewan welcomed over 14,400 international students from over 14 countries including India, Nigeria, China and the Philippines. In addition, nearly 470 Saskatchewan students studied abroad in 45 countries, from the United Kingdom to Japan.
"My student life here was extraordinary, filled with learning, networking, and participating in various events," University of Regina international student alumnus Edwin Ta said.
"These experiences not only prepared me for the job market but also allowed me to engage deeply with the community and build essential skills."
Ta is featured in a new promotional video demonstrating the advantages of studying in Saskatchewan. The video will be used by post-secondary education institutions, international trade offices and government officials in fostering international partnerships, increasing global awareness and supporting student and researcher recruitment efforts, the ministry states.
In 2022, international students contributed $441.5 million to Saskatchewan's Gross Domestic Product. The ministry says the province continues to prioritize expanding international education activities and has made progress on several of its International Education Strategy goals since the strategy's launch in 2021, including:
- Programs were developed to increase Saskatchewan’s global competitiveness in the education sector by providing targeted training:
- 476 ambassadors from 17 countries trained through the Saskatchewan Student Ambassador Program;
- 183 agents from 35 countries trained through the Saskatchewan Agent Training Program; and
- 177 practitioners trained through the International Education Practitioner Program.
- Four Memoranda of Understanding have been signed to strengthen ties between post-secondary institutions and provide frameworks to advance economic and global linkages in promotion, information and education exchange, and research collaboration.
- Saskatchewan reached over 50 key international markets through participation in global engagement events focused on student recruitment and partnership building.
Saskatchewan's International Education Strategy was developed in partnership with the province's post-secondary institutions which have also made contributions to meeting strategy goals. In 2023, Saskatchewan institutions co-authored nearly 2,300 international publications and received nearly $44 million in funding for international research partnerships.
"At the University of Saskatchewan, international education is key to our mission of being the university the world needs," University of Saskatchewan President Peter Stoicheff said.
"By engaging in international learning and research opportunities, our campus community and province are empowered to make a global impact, drive innovation and find solutions to the most pressing challenges in Saskatchewan and the world."
For more information on International Education in Saskatchewan or to view the new recruitment video, please visit: studyinsask.ca.
