India is by far Canada’s largest source of global students (File)
Toronto:
Canadian universities are reassuring Indian students about their safety and offering resources to deal with the uncertainty caused by the diplomatic crisis between the two countries as they try to limit the impact on a thriving business. As Canadian colleges prepare to start a new semester, some students are considering postponing their courses, while others are wondering whether higher education could become a collateral damage of the current crisis.
The diplomatic drift between India and Canada began in September after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said New Delhi may have had a hand in the killing of a Khalistani terrorist in British Columbia. India vociferously denies the accusation.
India is by far Canada’s largest source of global students in the country’s fast-growing international education sector, accounting for approximately 40% of study permit holders. International students contribute more than C$20 billion ($14.6 billion) to the Canadian economy each year.
According to estimates from consultants in India, over 1,00,000 students were preparing for the English proficiency test and in the process of arranging financing to study in Canada next year.
In response, top universities are offering courses costing up to $40,000 a year, while colleges are offering cheaper short-term courses to connect with students and ensure the diplomatic row doesn’t damage one of Canada’s best-known exports.
Reuters spoke to more than a dozen universities and consultants in Canada and India who said they were taking steps to reassure students.
“We have also reached out to several partners in India, some of which are educational institutions and foundations we work with to ensure our progress that we are committed to continuing the collaboration,” said Joseph Wong, Vice President of the University of India . Toronto, which has more than 2,400 international students from India out of 86,297 students enrolled in 2022-2023.
Canadian universities say the standoff may be short-lived, but questions remain about the coming semesters and students are raising questions about safety in Canada.
Ashok Kumar Bhatia, president of the Association of Consultants for Overseas Studies, said many Indian students are concerned about their safety amid heightened diplomatic tensions.
In response, consultancy firms such as IDP Education are sending video messages to calm nerves.
John Tibbits, president of Conestoga College of Kitchener, Ont., noted that about a hundred of the thousands of students who enroll each year have inquired about deferring their courses and that current students want to take classes online.
“Our biggest concern is the uncertainty. What could the Indian government do in terms of visas and how would people react,” Tibbits said. “We spend $50 million a year on the university just to support students.”
International students have experienced strong growth in recent years, helping the industry become one of Canada’s largest export sectors, surpassing auto parts, lumber or aircraft. Last week, Canadian Immigration Minister Marc Miller described international students as “an asset that is very lucrative.”
York University President Rhonda Lenton, who was in India when the news broke, expressed confidence that the two governments will resolve the situation.
But in India, families and hopeful candidates in Punjab are worried. In Punjab, which has a population of 30 million, almost every fourth family has a member studying or preparing to study in Canada.
Amritsar in Punjab, home to the Golden Temple, one of the holiest sites in Sikhism, saw more than 5,000 students move to Canada last year.
Taxi driver Jiwan Sharma ponders whether it is the right decision for his son to board the flight to Canada he recently booked.
“I spent my lifetime savings worth more than 250 million rupees ($3.00 million) on sending our son to Canada in the hope that he would settle there and help us in old age.”
There are no signs of tensions easing. On Tuesday, Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said Canada wants private talks with India to resolve the diplomatic dispute, after a report showed New Delhi had asked Ottawa to withdraw 41 diplomats.
Gurbakhshish Singh, a commerce student in Amritsar, said he is disappointed that India’s relationship with a hospitable country like Canada has deteriorated.
“The government has jeopardized our future.”
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by DailyExpertNews staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
